Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

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From NZD 179.49

Overview

Available languages

English

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

Options

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.

7.45am Departure

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.

Reviews

4.45

2,766 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1895
500
181
87
103
  • Outstanding a must do

    JanineLaurel S,

    May 15, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Very professional operation that knew their territory-and how to find the whales- very well. We upgraded to the captains lounge-well worth the additional money as smaller numbers and easier to view without being crowded-although the rest of the boat was also fine. But we decided we were only going to do this once so worth it.

  • Bucket list experience

    Glynn S,

    May 9, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Went for 0745 trip, great time to see sun rise. Easy check in, 0745 quick bus journey to jetty then off. It was a beautiful sunny, calm day yet many were sea sick, beware. Crew were great, very informative. Had 3 whale encounters plus dolphins and seals. A bucket list experience.

  • Absolutely amazing experience!

    Danielle M,

    May 4, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    This is one of the best things I've ever done. The staff were professional, knowledgeable and we saw two sperms whales, dolphins and various beautiful birds including an albatross.

  • Must go trip

    ShubhroJyoti M,

    Apr 28, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    It was good 3.5 hours trip to watch the whales but unfortunately, we could not see the Sperm Whales which are normally seen quite close to the coastline. After lot of searching, we managed to see a young Humpback Whale, who really put on a show for us for a while. The icing on the cake was watching hundreds of Dolphins (Must have been 200 or so), flocking and prancing in front of our boat. It turned out to be a fun and memorable trip as we also saw lot of birds and penguins.

  • I am still Buzzing!!!

    Heather Y,

    Apr 24, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    AMAZING.. great captain, crew and bus driver. Bonus was seeing a sperm whale and a blue whale.. Perfect day that ended far too soon. Highly recommended trip