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Water activity

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Cruise

4.4  / 5
870 reviews
Activity provider:Whale Watch Kaikoura
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Water activity

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Cruise

Activity provider:Whale Watch Kaikoura
4.4  / 5
870 reviews
Likely to sell out

From $101.01 per person

Likely to sell out

Enjoy a unique whale watching experience off the South Island of New Zealand. Experience an up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator, the giant sperm whale. Look out for other wildlife, including seals, dolphins, and birds.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 3.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible
Welcoming travelers since 2019

Experience

Highlights
  • Enjoy close encounters with the giant sperm whale
  • See dolphins, seals, and the wandering albatross
  • Admire stunning views of the mountainous coastline
Full description
Take a whale-watching cruise off the Kaikoura coast, and see giant sperm whales in their natural environment. Enjoy onboard commentary as you encounter a range of wildlife, including fur seals, pods of dolphins, and the endangered wandering albatross. Set sail on a catamaran, equipped with engines that minimize underwater noise and nonpolluting toilets. Take in the views from the large outdoor decks or stay inside the air-conditioned interiors with comfortable seating and plasma screens displaying marine wildlife animations. Gain an insight into the habitat with scientific information and indigenous knowledge about these creatures from the crew. Passenger numbers are kept well below the vessel's capacity to ensure a more personal experience.
Includes
  • 2-hour cruise
  • Narration by expert crew
  • Award-winning animation
  • Food and drinks
Not suitable for
  • Children under 3 years

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

The local partner’s office, Whale Watch Kaikōura.

Open in Google Maps ⟶
Important information

Not allowed

  • Smoking

Know before you go

  • The minimum age is three years old but the minimum age is subject to the sea and weather conditions at the time of check-in
  • Please note that the tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. The local partner will confirm your exact tour time by email after booking
  • Please note that your tour time might be different from the one you request due to availability
  • If you suffer from motion sickness it is recommended to take precautions prior to arriving at the office, motion sickness tablets are available for purchase at the office
  • The amount of time on the water is just over 2-hours and it is recommended to allow 3 hours and 15 minutes for the entire experience including check-in, safety briefing, and bus transfers
Likely to sell out

From $101.01 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 870 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Service
    4.4/5
  • Organization
    4.9/5

Filter

By star rating

Sort by:

G
GetYourGuide traveler – United KingdomDecember 3, 2023 – Verified booking
Really good but please take travel sickness tablets ! They warn you if the sees are a bit rough on the actual day and it’s definitely best to be prepared! Many people were sick on the day we did our trip as the see was rough and we were all asked beforehand if we still wanted to go. They do look after you very well and deal with the sickness incredibly professionally but it can spoil your trip if you feel so poorly you just want it to end haha :) we just about made it back but many others did not 🤢
Helpful?
G
GetYourGuide traveler – United KingdomNovember 27, 2023 – Verified booking
I can't actually rate the whale watching as it was cancelled due to a lack of available whales, but the dolphin trip we did as offered instead was excellent, the boat was fantastic, knowledge of staff excellent and dolphins and seals seen. Definitely recommend this. Impressed that we were told upfront about the whales and full refunds offered.
Helpful?
R
Rick – New ZealandNovember 22, 2023 – Verified booking
Just a bit belaboured at check in time. I found the check in times and cruise times to be a bit confusing. Also, would be good to streamline such as with flights, book and pay online and get a boarding code on your phone. As it happens, we didn't see a whale, not through lack of trying from the crew. Caught up with a lovely pod of dolphins though. And got an 80 percent refund for no whales which I think is a great idea. I'll definitely try again!
Helpful?

Product ID: 226204

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