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Whale Watch Kaikoura

4.6
756
An exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year!

An exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year!

Highlights

  • 95% whale viewing success rate with an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale
  • Discover Kaikoura on the water in our purpose built wildlife viewing catamaran.
  • Encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross
  • Crewed by a friendly team of Skippers and Guides very experienced in interacting with the local Sperm Whales

We venture offshore over a deep undersea canyon that attracts an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the Sperm Whale.

You will be viewing from our purpose built whale watching catamarans equipped with noise minimising engines, large outside viewing decks, spacious air-conditioned interiors and comfortable seating for those colder days on the water.

Whale Watch® is New Zealand's only marine-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year. 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 advise to book early!

Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. Depending on the season you may see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand!

Whale Watch vessels are crewed by a friendly team of Skippers and Guides very experienced in interacting with the local Sperm Whales. They have expert knowledge of Kaikoura's sea conditions and are fully trained in all aspects of safety.

Adult $175.00
Child $60.00 (3-15 years old)

Duration

  • Allow approx. 3.5 hours for the whole experience.

Location

  • Whale Watch is located in the town of Kaikoura. Please check in at Whale Watch Office located on Whaleway Station Road.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age 3 years old.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • IMPORTANT FOR BOOKINGS MADE WITHIN 48 HOURS OF DEPARTURE:

    For bookings made through Bookme within 48hours of departure, you will need to call the number provided in your booking email to fully confirm your booking and departure time in order to avoid disappointment or inconvenience.

    Duration: Time on the water is up to 2.5 hours however please allow up to 3.5 hours in total.

    Child price applies to ages 3 - 15 years.

    If your Whale Watch Kaikoura tour does not see a whale we will refund 80% of your fare.

    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.

    Whale Watch operate tours every day (weather permitting) excluding Christmas Day.

    If you are susceptible to motion-sickness Whale Watch offer Aqua Straps for hire or purchase. Whale Watch also sells natural active motion-sickness tablets but we are not permitted to sell medicatedoptions which can be purchased at the local pharmacy located in the town centre. Allour Whale Watch tours are graded with a seasickness warning announced over our PA system prior to tour departure.

    Please note every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings will vary.

Available Bookings from 10 Nov to 23 Nov 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Sun 10 Nov
Mon 11 Nov
Tue 12 Nov
Wed 13 Nov
Thu 14 Nov
Fri 15 Nov
Sat 16 Nov
Sun 17 Nov
Mon 18 Nov
Tue 19 Nov
Wed 20 Nov
Thu 21 Nov
Fri 22 Nov
Sat 23 Nov

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.6

756 reviews

Showing all 756 authenticated Bookme reviews

jaehoj from South Korea wrote on 30 April 2023

어메이징..

15분 지연 출발하고 초반에는 고래를 보지못해 약간 실망했습니다. 그러나 캡틴과 스탭들이 고래를 찾았고 세번에 걸쳐 고래를 볼 수 있었습니다. 경이로운 장면.. 그리고 후반부에 돌고래를 만났고 그들은 우리를 격렬히 반겨주었습니다..너무나도 놀랄운 광경.. 카이코우라 whale watch는 정말 어메이징..

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suhyuna from South Korea wrote on 17 August 2020

향유고래와 돌고래를 볼 수 있어요

투어 특성 상 날씨의 영향을 많이 받는 것 같아요 날이 좋으면 고래들도 많이 나오더라구요 저는 두시간 동안 여섯마리의 향유고래를 봤어요 배가 심하게 요동치니 멀미약 꼭 드세요

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seunghakb from South Korea wrote on 28 August 2019

돈도 시간도 좀 아깝습니다

들인시간과 돈에 비해 너무 아쉬웠습니다 1시간30정도 뱨타고 나가서 겨우 고래 5분정도 도 보지 못하고 그것도 생각한것 만큼 굉장하지 않더군요 돌고래는 괌이나 세부등 보다 더 적고 활동적이지도 않았구요 개인적으로 뉴질랜드 여행중에 가장 실망하고 가성비.시간이 않좋은 투어였습니다

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YERIM from South Korea wrote on 12 October 2018

잊지 못할 경험

날이 흐려서 배가 안뜨면 어쩌나 걱정했었는데 다행히 바다가 잔잔해서 배가 뜰수있었습니다 향유고래와 작은 돌고래 범고래등을 보는데 정말 꿈을 꾸는 느낌 멀미가 심해서 약을 먹었는데도 효과가 별로 였어요ㅠㅠ 당일날 약 드시는 걸 추천합니다 전 전날 먹었거든요 정말 잊지 못할 경험 하게 되서 추천해 드립니다 :)

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krystsinah from New Zealand wrote on 21 January 2022

I would say is not worth money that you pay for it

I like Whale watch, as finally I have seen whales twice, but it was so quick less than 2 minutes in total and it was so far. I cannot recommend it for children. My husband very disappointed that even hasn't taken photo of it, none. As you have a choice to take a quick shot or watch the whales by your eyes half a minute. I can understand if you see smth intresting during the trip. Yeah, we have seen a couple of Orcas, but it was so far as well. But it was very good luck we have been told. I can imagine how it would be boring without it. Some people haven't seen nothing more except their seats in the cabin and white paper bags, as be aware that you can experience seasickness. I know that this is wild nature and so difficult to predict what you can see today. But would I pay this amount to repeat it, compared with other experiences, definitely no.

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

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When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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