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‘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
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
7.45am 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.
1.15pm Departure
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.
Reviews
2,867 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great experience whale watching!
michellewG7724QQ,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience whale watching! I am always skeptical before I do any sort of activity involving wild animals and this group was very respectful. The commentary throughout was great and I enjoyed getting actual information about Kaikoura and the sea life there. I seen a sperm whale, hectors dolphins, NZ fur seals, Dusky dolphins as well as albatross, giant petrals, and other sea birds. Would recommend for a great experience whale watching!
Unique nature experience
melissad408,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a nice trip! We got to see a sperm whale and a humpback. The hundreds of dolphins were so fun! They were performing just for their own enjoyment. The ship is very comfortable and the tour well-organized.
Really worthwhile experience
Mark G,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Not the nicest of days but got to see Sperm and Humpback Whales, a pod of Dusky Dolphins along with many seabirds including Albatross. Between sightings there were some good videos and a excellent commentary.
Very good crew,...
Martin F,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good crew, wonderful care, a lot was told about the wildlife. We have seen a lot of dolphins, seals and a whale.
Absolutely unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience
Millie H,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our trip with Whale Watch Kaikoura was genuinely one of the most incredible wildlife experiences we’ve ever had. From the very start, the crew were outstanding - incredibly knowledgeable and clearly experts at what they do. What really stood out was how agile and responsive the entire operation was. They were constantly communicating, tracking activity, and adjusting our route in real time based on what was happening out at sea. At one point, unbelievably, they located two blue whales just off the shoreline (something we were told is extremely rare). Although they began moving too fast for us to spot them, the crew pivoted instantly, and that flexibility led us directly to an amazing encounter with a sperm whale. We were able to watch it calmly resting on the surface for around ten minutes before it slowly lifted its huge tail and disappeared back beneath the water, absolutely magical. Throughout the trip, the crew shared fascinating facts and insights about the animals, which made the whole experience even more special. We also spotted an albatross, as well as fur seals swimming alongside the boat, popping up and waving as they passed us! But the true highlight, and something we will never forget, was when we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by hundreds (and I truly mean hundreds) of dolphins. They were leaping out of the water, flipping through the air, and racing alongside the boat. It was completely surreal and genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. One thing we really appreciated is that the company operates in a completely ethical way - they don’t use any equipment or methods that interfere with or harm the animals in any way. Everything is done with deep respect for the wildlife and their natural behaviour, which made the experience feel even more special and responsible. A quick note on seasickness: everyone mentions this for a reason - it is a real thing. Definitely take the seasickness tablets (you can buy them at the shop when you board). It’s not scary at all, but the ride out and back can be choppy even on a calm day, so it’s best to be prepared. Overall, this was an exceptionally well-run, awe-inspiring experience from start to finish. The professionalism of the crew, the quality of the wildlife encounters, and the sheer magic of what we saw made this one of the highlights of our entire New Zealand trip. Highly recommend!
Whales at Kaikoura.
Sharon W,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The running commentary given to us about the sea and it’s sea life really let’s us have more of a understanding about the whales and the other sea life.
Highlight of my trip!
aimeelL7259EY,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible once in a lifetime experience. Lovely small boat tour with just enough people for it to feel busy but without interrupting the viewing experience. Got to see so many dolphins and whales - with some excellent commentary and staff that seemed very committed to ensuring we saw as much wildlife as possible. Would highly recommend! Reasonable price, good length of tour.
We loved it, A must do!
Passenger37326244204,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I loved it, we saw a sperm whale and lots of dolphins. The dolphins were jumping out of the water. The boat and crew were really nice. We would recommend it. Even though the boat was full it was still a pleasant experience. The boat was custom made to be able to handle all of the passengers being on one side with no issues.
Disappointed but understandable
Andreas E,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The tour was cancelled due to excessive wind. The boats could not leave the port because of this. The refund of the amount will be made soon.
One of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand. Thoroughly recommended
Chris G,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We opted for the 07:30 departure which was not too busy so there was plenty of space for everyone to get a good view of everything. We were also lucky with the weather as early mist cleared as we left the marina. About 20 minutes out we came across a pod of pilot whales around 50 metres off and stayed with them for a while. Shortly afterwards we saw a sperm whale spouting and the captain moved us fairly close to the magnificent creature who was kind enough to show a beautiful tail flick as he dived once more. Within half an hour we had a second encounter which was equally stunning. As that whale dived we set off to find a massive pod of dusky dolphins which kept us thoroughly entertained with their acrobatic display. All this was punctuated with sightings of albatross, petrels and seals. The crew were very enthusiastic and informative. All in all a fantastic experience
From NZ$179.49
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Operated by Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd