Kaikoura: Whale Watching Cruise
1.Whale Watching Cruise
Track giant sperm whales off Kaikoura, with dolphins, seals, albatross, expert commentary, and mountain views on a 210-minute cruise.
“Whales made it great, dolphins were an added bonus!”
New Zealand · WHALE WATCHING
Whale Watching in New Zealand: The 11 Best Trips
Sperm whales sit off Kaikōura all year because a deep canyon comes close to shore there. These 11 compare boats, flights over the same water and the dolphin trips, with prices and what happens when a sailing is cancelled.
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
2.Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
See sperm whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds off Kaikoura on a well-run catamaran tour with expert commentary and an 80% whale-sighting refund.
“We had a fantastic time with Whale Watch Kaikoura! Very professional and friendly team. Special thanks to Captain Malena for spotting a sperm whale. What a treat for us! A check off my bucket list. Highly recommend this company!”
Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise
3.Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise
Review of Auckland’s 4.5-hour whale and dolphin safari, with marine scientists, Hauraki Gulf scenery, conservation support, and practical tips.
“I highly recommend this crew. They were incredibly kind and knowledgeable. We had two whale sightings and saw multiple dolphin pods during our January 6th afternoon safari. This trip was truly memorable and well worth it.”
Auckland: Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise
4.Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise
Auckland’s 4.5-hour Hauraki Gulf eco-cruise brings dolphins, whales, seabirds, research, and Rangitoto views close to the city.
“The upfront weather communications and crew were amazing on a very challenging weather day!”
Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight with Commentary
5.Whale Watching Flight with Commentary
See Kaikoura whales from a small plane with window seats, live commentary, and sweeping views of dolphins, mountains, reefs, and coast.
“We saw a blue whale which is very unusual as well as a hump back whale. What a combination”
Auckland: Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise
6.Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise
Cruise Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf for dolphins, whales, island scenery, and a choice of Rotoroa Island or Man O’ War Vineyard.
“I enjoyed the relaxed and informative approach to the boat ride. The time on Rotora was good but was worried I would get left behind if I explored too much”
From Christchurch: Kaikōura Day Tour with Whale Watching
7.Kaikōura Day Tour with Whale Watching
Search for sperm whales, dolphins, orcas, and seals on a small-group Kaikōura day tour from Christchurch with lunch and scenic stops.
“Diana was a fabulous guide and kept us entertained along the way with local knowledge! The bus was comfy and had lots of good stops along the way to see so many seals and even some dolphins. Fish & chips lunch was amazing and then the whale watching tour also! We got so lucky to be surrounded by a huge pod of pilot whales. Such a special day, one of the best tours we’ve done on our trip :)”
Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)
8.Kaikōura Whale Watching Scenic Flight (40 Minutes)
See Kaikōura’s whales, dolphins, and alpine coast from a small plane, with window seats, pilot commentary, and a 40-minute flight.
“Captain Ben flew us over Hikurangi Marine Reserve, searching for whales and finding many while providing fantastic information about the locale and the marine life. He professionally and effortlessly delivered a five star memorable experience. Highly recommended.”
Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight with Guided Commentary
9.Whale Watching Flight with Guided Commentary
See Kaikōura whales and dolphins from a six-seat aircraft, with expert commentary, mountain views, and a 30-minute flight for $164.
“This was an excellent day out. I can't recommend this company enough. Lou and the team were very accommodating and ensured that I got to experience the whales for my day trip to Kaikaoura.”
Whale Watching in Kaikoura – Ultimate Experience
10.Whale Watching in Kaikoura – Ultimate Experience
See Kaikoura’s whales, dolphins, mountains, and coast from a small aircraft, with town transfers, expert commentary, and weather flexibility.
“The views were amazing, Kaikoura's landscape with the turquoise sea close to the mountains is really beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn't see any whales. Jo was a great pilot and we enjoyed the flight.”
Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch
11.Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch
Review of the Kaikoura whale watch day tour from Christchurch, with sperm whales, seals, scenic drives, practical tips, costs, and drawbacks.
“What an incredible day! Firstly we had fantastic weather. The drive to Kaikōura was scenic and beautiful. We were a group of 10 on the way up. (12 on return.). Carmen, our guide and driver really prepared us for the queuing for the shuttle as well as the best place to sit in the boat. We saw two sperm whales, one orca, and a small school of common dolphins. It was the triple crown! The few hours on the boat were serene as the views are quite simply amazing. We had lunch in Kaikoura and had time for shopping or just walking along the beach. As we were leaving the…”