Whale watching in Kaikoura - Shared
Take to the seas off the coast of Kaikoura to search for New Zealand's marine giants. Sperm Whales, Orca and migrating Humpbacks all frequent the inky depths hunting for squid in the Hikurangi Trench.
Area
Canterbury and the West Coast
Type
Active
Wildlife & Nature
Grade
Standard
Who
Adults
Teens
Young Kids
Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
Full Day
Kaikoura is New Zealand's world famous whale watching destination. Sperm Whales can be seen here year-round while 7 other whale species visit regularly. Every Whale Watch 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 Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross and 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. Kaikoura also attracts 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.
Tours Featuring This Experience
Be inspired by the itineraries below which include this experience and let our travel specialists craft a bespoke luxury holiday for you.
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View TourFamily Fun in New Zealand
New Zealand is the epitome of cool, fun and wild, making it the perfect haven for families to spread their wings and embrace the exhilarating outdoor adventures that ooze from its core. From the cosmopolitan Auckland and turquoise waters in the Bay of Islands in the North, to the volcanic wonderland of Rotorua and buzzing hub of Queenstown in the South Islands, this itinerary makes an epic trip with an abundance of experiences for the whole family to enjoy.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationHapuku Lodge
Designed as a contemporary luxury country lodge, Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses sit at the foot of South Island's spectacular Kaikoura Ranges, looking out over the rugged Pacific Coast of New Zealand - home to an abundance of marine life.
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View AccommodationOtahuna Lodge
Otahuna is an elegant, opulent lodge set at the heart of a rolling country estate. With commanding views of its landscaped gardens and far beyond to the surrounding plains, the views take you to the foot of New Zealand's Southern Alps.
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View AccommodationThe George
Christchurch's The George is the essence of supreme comfort, a luxury, contemporary hotel with individual attention in an intimate ambience, just moments from the heart of New Zealand's garden city opposite Hagley Park.
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View AccommodationFLOCKHILL
Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Southern Alps, with a stay on ‘the chicest sheep station in the world.’ Part of the FLOCKHILL Sheep Station, the Homestead is a luxurious alpine lodge offering a range of adventurous and exciting experiences.
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View AccommodationMount Cook Lakeside Retreat
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is set in a forest wilderness overlooking the turquoise blue waters of Lake Pukaki. It is right on the doorstep of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park located in the beautiful and unique Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.
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View AccommodationAnnandale
Step off the beaten track and discover Annandale, set amid a rugged landscape of hills and bays on Banks Peninsula. Only an hour from Christchurch, this hidden gem sits on a 4000-acre farm in one of the world's most spectacular coastal locations.
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View AccommodationWilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass
Wilderness Lodge is a family-friendly eco-lodge in the dramatic Arthur’s Pass on New Zealand’s South Island. Set on a 4000 acre working sheep farm, you can enjoy nature walks, fly-fishing and sheep farm experiences.
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View AccommodationThe Lindis
Nestled in the pristine Ahuriri Valley in New Zealand’s South Island, you will find The Lindis. New Zealand’s newest luxury lodge has been created for you to unwind and relax while taking in the surrounding idyllic setting.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceTranzAlpine Adventure Day Trip - By Train and Road - Shared
Enjoy a scenic train journey from Christchurch to visit Arthur's Pass. Crossing the Canterbury Plains, you will visit this beautiful National Park, which sits 740m above sea level.
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View ExperienceDolphin Encounter off the coast of Kaikoura - Shared
Make one of life's dream a reality and not only watch dolphins in the wild but get the chance to swim with them as well, just off the coast of Kiakoura.
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View ExperiencePukaki Observatory - Dark Sky Experience - Shared
Visit the Pukaki Observatory where you can view some of the darkest and glittering skies in the world. Lake Pukaki has some of the clearest skies to view the Milky Way Galaxy. With a 6" refractor telescope, take a closer look at planets like Jupiter.
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