Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Whale Watch is located in the small coastal town of Kaikōura on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from Christchurch and two hour drive south from Picton. Kaikōura is a special place of lush pastures and towering, snow covered peaks that fall to the sea. This rare magic continues just offshore where a deep undersea canyon combines with unusual sea currents to attract an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale.
Whale Watch is New Zealand's only vessel-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year. Whale Watch scheduled tours operate daily. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. Whale Watch tours are extremely popular so we recommend booking early.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tours operate all year: 7.15am, 10.00am, 12.45pm & 3.30pm (Nov-Mar)—Please note that these are check-in times only - please do not come earlier than the times specified.
The minimum age limit for children traveling on a whale watch tour is 3yrs+, although Whale Watch Kaikōura maintains the right to raise the age limit depending on sea and weather conditions at the time of check-in.
All our tour are subject to favourable weather & sea conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
Whale Watch staff constantly monitor the weather and respond professionally to any changes. This may mean a tour is cancelled or safety restrictions placed on children or passengers with medical problems. Passenger comfort and safety is always our priority. Passengers travelling to join us on the day of their tour are strongly advised to telephone the FREEPHONE number 0800 655 121 for a sea conditions update.
Dress warmly and wear flat shoes. If you wish to spend time on the outside decks of our vessels you may need light waterproof clothing depending on the sea conditions.
Don't let sea sickness ruin your whale watch tour experience. Purchase motion sickness pills to help prevent sea sickness, car sickness, or any type of travel sickness from our Retail Store before you travel.
The actual time on the water is up to 2.5 hours. Including check-in time, safety briefing and bus transfers you should allow 3.5 hours in total.
If travelling in a wheelchair please contact us prior to arrival so we can provide additional details and advise how we can assist you
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Few places on Earth possess the magic of Kaikōura. Many who visit leave transformed. It is a special part of New Zealand, imbued with powerful natural energy. A place where tectonic plates collide, towering peaks fall to the sea and ocean currents converge. Such rare combinations lure an abundance of marine wildlife, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale. It was a whale that led the Māori ancestor Paikea to New Zealand many centuries ago. His descendants live in Kaikōura today. Fittingly, the whale continues to guide the people of Kaikōura and the visitors they host. Kaikōura is one of New Zealand's leading eco-tourism destinations offering a variety of exciting activities and experiences. Despite the recent rise in tourist numbers, the town retains much of its historical charm. Many new motels, cafes and restaurants can be found in beautifully restored old buildings. Fresh local seafood is always on the menu. The retention of the town's distinctive character has made Kaikōura extremely attractive to artists. Their work, inspired by the remarkable landscape and wildlife, can be seen all over town.
What‘s Included
Experienced knowledgeable staff providing a running commentary throughout your tour
Bus ride to and from our marina
95% success rate backed up by an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale
Award winning onboard animations
Tours operates all year round
Modern fleet of purpose built catamarans
Food and drinks
Options
7.45am Departure
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.
1.15pm Departure
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.
10.30am Departure
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.
Reviews
3,008 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
One of the best sea-life watching tours I've been on.
kabouter2018,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked up to this half-heartedly as I've done several of these types of tours in the past. I was very pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the experience. The tour was very well-organised and so informative. The highlight for me was not so much the whales as seeing the albatrosses. The safety and security of passengers and crew on the boats as well as caring for the natural environment were first-class. The booking and check-in station itself is very good too. Good toilet facilities, really good waiting area with educational film about the area and how the Whale Watch tours developed. Wonderful scenery. Right next to the train station and luggage holding facilities available. Good parking if you have a vehicle. Well done, keep up the excellent work and I'm so glad I did do the tour. Thank you.
A perfect day!
pzh238,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A perfect day - great weather, great guides and three different sperm whales plus a seal fighting an octopus while albatrosses looked on.
Good spot for whales.
Frank S,May 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A good place for whales. Off the coast, there is a deep gorge that provides plenty of food. We were able to see sperm whales, black dolphins, Hector's dolphins, and albatrosses.
No Whales Today
Ricky Y,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Staff were very knowledgeable, efficient and friendly. The catamaran boat was extremely comfortable and we were in the Captains Cabin as we had paid extra for the privilege. Unfortunately no whales were sited on the day, not through want of trying by the Captain. The Tour Operator refunded 80% of cost of each passenger’s ticket as their promise of seeing a whale was not delivered. This was a very generous gesture. A very professionally run operator
Wonderful Mothers Day gift of sperm whale and dolphin sightings. Excellent experience!
Charmaine K,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an impressively very well organized whale watching tour. The commentary was very informative about the sperm whales and their habitat as well as other species like the albatrosses and dolphins. We had 2 whale sightings and both dusky and hectors dolphin pods swan to the boat to entertain us to our delightful. It was well worth the cost. I rate this very highly
Great tour! The staff...
Natasha V,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour! The staff knew exactly where to take the boat to maximize our chances of seeing wildlife, and we got to watch a humpback whale swimming with dusky dolphins for the better part of an hour, and also saw Hector dolphins, seals, and lots of seabirds. The staff were knowledgable about the wildlife and conservation efforts and provided thoughtful commentary throughout the tour. The check-in process for the tour was also smooth and easy to navigate. Overall, a very enjoyable way to spend the afternoon in Kaikoura.
Wildlife is so...
Suzanne O,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wildlife is so unpredictable so any sighting is a win, but to be able view and track a pod of 9 Orca with a calf was amazing. Such a privilege! You know it's a good day when the Marine Biologist gets excited. And how could I forget their safety briefing, it was funny, which makes it memorable, health and safety can be fun too ;-)
Great tour, great crew!
Sightsee53544902056,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our whale watching tour. We had a lucky day to see so many whales and dolphins, but Emily, the marine biologist, enriched the experience by sharing so much knowledge. We also appreciated how careful the captain and crew were not to disturb the marine animals.
Whales and other wildlife
BenjyBear,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A good trip and a decent length of time out on the water. We saw a single humpback whale which we followed for some time, then sailed down the coast to see seals and birdlife etc. We also saw a little blue penguin. Bear in mind the amount of wildlife you see will vary by season and in May we were off peak for this. Definitely worthwhile and very enjoyable. Professionally run and the boats are excellent, stable and with plenty of outdoor viewing areas.
Great whale siting.
MargaretF1615,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The ship never felt crowded. The staff was very helpful and determined to find us a whale. We had a great siting.
From NZ$179.49
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Operated by Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd