no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 19 December, 2022
Expert travel writer: Mark Chipperfield

There are many remarkable things about Whale Watch Kaikoura, not least their 95 per cent success rate at finding giant sperm whales – the world’s largest toothed predator – regardless of when you step on board.

The operation is owned by a number of local Maori families and combines state-of-the-art whale finding technology and traditional folklore – and plenty of Maori humour. Passengers are also likely to see other whale species, dolphins, seals and many local seabirds.

Kayaking is another great way to spot whales – as well as dolphins, fur seals and orca. Kaikoura Kayaks offers kayak hire, expert instruction and guided trips along the coast.

Price from: £92
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around
Duration: 3 hours

Getting there & doing it

Whale Watch Kaikoura is located on the seafront, 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of town. Most people drive or catch the shuttle bus. There are three tours per day (an extra one is added in the summer months), each lasting for about 3 hours. Day-long tours are also available.

When to do it

Tours operate all year round, as the sperm whales are present all year round, but obviosuly the warmer months of summer, spring and autumn have mroe sunshine, less rain, and clearer skies.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

Kaikoura

Kaikoura's Original Kayak Operator - Est 1998 New Zealand's only Sea Kayak operator that holds a marine mammal permit to view Whales. Kaikou...

N130 | Rating 4.90 / 5 [255 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

Kaikoura

Whale Watch is located in the small coastal town of Kaikōura on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island a scenic two and a half-hour dr...

N169 | Rating 4.46 / 5 [2438 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Whale Watching Flight in Kaikoura

Whale Watching Flight in Kaikoura

Kaikoura

Come fly with Wings Over Whales for an incredible opportunity to witness the largest toothed whales in the world from above! Whale watching ...

N190 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [165 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Private Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

Private Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura

Kaikoura

Kaikoura's Original Kayak Operator - Est 1998 New Zealand's only Sea Kayak operator that holds a marine mammal permit to view Whales. Kaikou...

N280 | Rating 4.87 / 5 [24 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses

Hapuku, South Island, New Zealand[17.2 miles]

Luxury lodge with fun treehouse rooms, superb in-house dining and jaw-dropping landscape views. A good base for accessing Kaikoura’s ecotours, 20 minutes away.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Round-ups that include this experience

18 Best places to go whale-watching

Multiple countries

Ranging from the mere 2.5m dwarf sperm whale to the whopping 30m blue whale, these ocean giants beguile and amaze with their size, grace and dignity. Here’s our round-up some of the best places in the world to see them.

Website >
Overview >