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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

Anne Mauviel from France wrote on 04 March 2023

pas de baleine !

Nous n'avons pas vu une seule baleine. La compagnie nous a promis le remboursement de 80% de notre billet. Nous attendons le remboursement par Book.me, par crédit sur la carte Visa. Merci d'opérer ce remboursement promis, rapidement. Anne Mauviel

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Angélina GUILLAUME from France wrote on 18 July 2023

Experience incroyable!!

On a pu observer 3 baleines dont la fameuse Lazarus, la première qui a été observé à Kaikoura en 1993 😍 On a également pu apercevoir un lion de mer qui venait jouer près du bateau ainsi que plusieurs bancs de dauphins qui sont venus s'amuser dans les vagues ! Je recommande 1000 fois, avec un temps ensoleillé, une équipe à bord incroyable ainsi qu'une mer calme. Merci

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Oceane Salaun from France wrote on 03 June 2023

experience exceptionnelle

Juste magique, nous avons eu la chance de voir deux baleines et un banc de dauphins. L'équipage est extrêmement professionnelle, sympathique ! Nous avons appris énormément de chose grâce à Sarah. Merci pour cette expérience !

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olivierl1 from France wrote on 18 March 2023

30 secondes et plus rien !!

En fait ce fut plus une sortie dauphin qu’une sortie baleine. De baleine on en a deviné le dos pendant 25 secondes et la queue pendant 5 secondes et plus rien et encore de très loin…. On aurait dit qu’ils avaient remplis la mission pour ne pas effectuer de remboursement en cas de non- baleine !! En revanche beaucoup de dauphins sur le retour pour atténuer notre déception. Par ailleurs il y a une volonté manifeste de nous éduquer aux impératifs de préservation du milieu mais c’est non stop pendant 2 heures. On est dans un contexte « nature » et c’est du bruit avec un micro crachant ses décibels. Laissez-nous rêver… on est en vacances !! A par ça, la ponctualité est respectée et le personnel est agréable.

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laureens from France wrote on 13 March 2023

Super expérience !

J'ai adoré cette expérience. J'ai choisi le départ a 7h15 qui est en fait départ a 7h45 en bus pour être sur l'eau environ entre 8h15 et 10h pour un retour vers 10h30. C'était génial! Je regrette pas cet horaire car on a en plus la chance de voir le magnifique levé de soleil. On a vu deux baleines et des centaines de dauphins c'était super

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Qualmark Certification

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.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

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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