Bucket list experience:
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.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >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.
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
Kaikoura
N130 | Rating 4.90 / 5 [255 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Kaikoura
N169 | Rating 4.46 / 5 [2438 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Kaikoura
N190 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [165 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Kaikoura
N280 | Rating 4.87 / 5 [24 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
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
South Islands, New Zealand
A primordial playground with truly spectacular scenery on the grandest scale, outdoor adventure activities galore, colourful and compelling Maori culture and terribly nice Kiwis.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand[8.4 miles]
Swim amongst hundreds, if not thousands, of wild dusky dolphins, surrounded by the jaw-dropping scenery in Kaikoura’s bay, Tours are responsibly operated and educational.
Best for ages: 8+ | £100 | 3-4 hours
Round-ups that include this experience
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.
