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
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.
Options
10.30am Departure
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.
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.
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3,027 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Whale watch
Joanne C,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I am lost for words to good to miss 😔 couldn't believe my eyes being so close to there world job well done.Were they watching us or us watching them.Thank you.
Incredible!
Karlene S,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Extremely well run operation, knowledgeable staff/team, fantastic wild life. Guaranteed to bring you an epic experience
Excellent Trip
TravelQueenAkl,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the best whale watching trips. Apart from seeing whales, dophins, many birds and seals the way it was organised was excellent, friendly and efficient. The narrative was excellent; done by a true professional who obviously loved her work and was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Once in a lifetime experience
Ebi2905,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a magical experience, getting to see 2 sperm whales and a passing humpback whale. The sea crew were also well versed in their knowledge of the sea and the different marine species. Was a blessing to see both Marama and Mati Mati, the sperm whales on our cruise!
Excellent trip, wrap up warm!
Wales Solo traveller,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the 10.30 am tour with Kaikōura Whale Watching. It is a very well oiled outfit, putting on about 3 whale watching trips each day, each boat holding about 90 passengers. You check in at their main building near the railway station and are then taken on a short bus ride to the boats. Luckily I had picked a sunny day for my trip as the day before had been raining non-stop and foggy. We were lucky on our trip to see four humpback whales and a pod of dolphins swimming along together and then a sperm whale. The guide said he was the oldest sperm whale in the bay and was quite well known to them. The trip took about 2 hours and was well thought out. But wrap up warm if you are going in winter as it was very cold on the deck!
Humpbacks
Himalaya76,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The staff was excellent and the craft was very up-to-date and modern. We were delayed 45 minutes as the previous tour was chasing a whale — don’t know if they found it. Our tour set out to find a sperm whale but the whale did not surface. We waited for a while and then they turned to shore and found a couple of hump back whales. It appears that the location of the humpbacks is a pretty sure thing and the sperm whale was the wild card that didn’t pay off this time.
Not to miss!
Compo2020,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent day, friendly knowledgable staff, great craft and awesome experience.
Worthwhile
belindatG3202DA,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed the expertise of this tour they knew exactly where the whales were going to be and even when they would surface and dive. Amazing! Also loved the commentary it was extremely interesting and they were so knowledgeable.
Great experience!
Robert S,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It would’ve been great to see more species of whales, but that’s not the fault of the company. We did get to see the famous sperm whale and the iconic flip of the tail when it dove back down. The staff and boat, presentation of information about the whales, and the experience were top notch!
Excellent trip
chloelK8434ND,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00As animal and nature lovers, we were so excited for this trip when we came across it on holiday and it did not disappoint. We were fortunate to come across 2 sperm whales during our trip. Seeing them resting on the surface was pretty surreal and makes you appreciate how incredible they are! When they dived back down to hunt and their tails came out the water it was so magical. Such a privilege to see such an elusive, massive animal so up close! The crew were brilliant - friendly, helpful, and very knowledgeable. We also saw loads of albatross species, ducky dolphins, and some NZ fur seals as a cherry on top! Can't recommend enough, probably the best way to see NZ marine wildlife!
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Operated by Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd