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
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.
Reviews
2,920 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Superb Trip
587gailg,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip was cancelled due to bad weather but we rebooked the next day. So pleased we were able to see a whale. Absolutely fantastic
Worst sea sickness ever!
Cheryl T,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00If you have any concern about seasickness, don't go. The cruise focused on one whale, and we didnt see any other ocean life. It was disappointing.
Gordon from Solihull .
Gordon W,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic experience with a well informed staff. Knowledgeable about the wildlife on show. We were fortunate to see a sperm whale , killer whales, dolphins ,albatross and petrols. Absolutely fantastic.
Excellent opportunity to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat
Paul R,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great trip and saw whales (a Sperm and two Killer) and dolphins in their natural habitat. Luckily the weather was clear and sunny with calm sea conditions. Lovely new boat to travel on with friendly helpful crew.
Excellent trip
Richard C,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent trip Well organised and very informative commentary. The vessel was comfortable and even though the trip was full wasn't crowded. Plenty to see Sperms whales, orca, dolphins Well worth it
A Sperm Whale & friends!
Christine C,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It did not disappoint! We saw a Sperm whale, Pilot whales and Lots of dolphins! We also saw a couple of albatross’ birds! Crew were amazing and lots of information given!
Whale Watching
Elaine R,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Take seasickness meds in advance. Boat skipper did a great job and we did see 2 sperm whales, dolphins and albatrosses. Great commentary through trip keeping us informed on the marine life and where best to be on the boat to see them Customer safety the crews priority
A magnificent morning on the sea
FluffP7,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well organised right from the off, smooth check-in, good communication from the staff and everything felt good. But that's not why you're readying this review. The boats went out a long way into the sea and we saw a small pod of dolphins on the way out, there were also lots of sea birds, the albatross particularly were very impressive. But most importantly, we say a huge sperm whale and got the iconic tail shot. Th staff on the boat were super helpful, gave some really interesting info on what was going on and also were sympathetic to those suffering from seasickness. On that note, on the day we did it the sea was rough and so we were advised to take seasickness meds and to stare at the horizon, something we both did and that worked well. Even in some big swells we felt fine. A really, really good excursion. And on a side note, their t-shirts are lovely!
Experience was off the scale. Rebooting cancelled trip was quite the opposite.
JOHN M,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The experience itself was superb. To see a humpback, two sperm whales, a porpoise pod and albatross was stunningly awesome. Viator / Whale Watch interaction needs attention on response rate to change booking when weather impacts. We had to wait many hours for an immediate text reply to an invited changed booking to be told of cancellation. NB Whale Watch prioritise telephone calls over message system.
Fantastic experience. A long wait to locate the whale but well worth it. Male sperm whale so majestic. Tour guide great
Alison M,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A long wait to locate the whale but when we did WOW. The male sperm whale was so majestic. Put on a show for us. Pretty incredible experience. And we felt super comfortable with the environmental and sustainable approach that tour company took. No sonar to mess with whales natural ecosystem etc. Tour guide lead who provided the commentary outstanding. A whale expert and made outing educational engaging and fun.
From NZ$179.49
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Operated by Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd