Enjoy the views and the whales during this amazing tour!

Come to picturesque Kaikoura and experience a fantastic whale watching adventure! Every tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents.

A typical whale watching tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales.

Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's. These serene waters also attract the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.

About Kaikoura:

Our whale watching tours are located in the town of Kaikoura - a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from Christchurch in New Zealand's South Island. Kaikoura 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 Sperm Whale.

About Our Vessels:

Designed specifically for whale watching, our modern catamarans are equipped with engines that minimize underwater noise and toilets that never pollute the sea.

The main passenger cabin is enclosed and large outside decks offer great viewing and photo opportunities. Spacious air-conditioned interiors are fitted with comfortable seating and large plasma screens display our award-winning marine wildlife animations.

Passenger numbers for each tour are kept well below our vessel carrying capacity to ensure your tour experience remains a personal one.

About Our Crew:

Our vessels are crewed by a friendly team of Skippers and Guides who are 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.

About Sperm Whales:

Kaikoura's resident Sperm Whales are the biggest of the toothed whales and the worlds' largest carnivore. They are equivalent in size to four elephants. Each of their teeth can weigh more than a kilogram and grow to 20cm long. Sperm Whales dive 2km into the dark abyss of the Kaikoura Canyon to hunt prey such as the Giant Squid. Many of Kaikoura's Sperm Whales wear battle scars from close encounters with this monster of the deep.

Frequently Asked Questions:

--Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. There is a high demand for our tours. We advise you to book at least two weeks in advance.

--Am I guaranteed to see a whale?
No. However, the chances are very high. Our whale watching tours have a 95% success rate in finding whales.

--What happens if the sea and weather conditions are not suitable?
Whale watching tours are always dependent on sea conditions. Our staff constantly monitors the weather and responds 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.

--If my tour is cancelled, will I automatically be transferred to the next one?
No. When a tour is cancelled, we will do our best to accommodate you on another one. However, you need to request this, and it's based on availability.

--How long is the tour?
The actual time on the water is up to 2.5 hours. Including check-in time and transfer by bus, you should allow 3.5 hours in total.

--What should I wear on my whale watching tour?
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.

--What if I get seasick?
If you are susceptible to motion or seasickness we offer Aqua Straps for hire or purchase. We also sell a range of natural active motion-sickness tablets. All our whale watching tours are graded with a seasickness warning announced over our PA system prior to tour departure.

--Can I buy film aboard the whale watching vessel?
No. Please stock up on film before departing.

--Is advance notice needed for handicapped customers?
We can accommodate a limited number of handicapped customers per whale watching tour, so we require a minimum of 72 hours notice. Please note any handicapped passengers on the Order Form. Our whale watching vessels are not wheelchair-accessible.

A minimum of 10 total passengers is needed for the tour to depart. Tour does not include hotel pick-up or drop-off. Child rates apply to ages 3 through 15. Children ages 2 and under are not permitted on the tour. Rates are per person, in US Dollars and include tax. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-719-8190.