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Private Kaikoura Whale Watching Tour

Breathtaking ocean vistas, majestic whales, unforgettable New Zealand adventure.

This is a Private Tour. Your party will have exclusive use of a luxury SUV, along with a dedicated Canterbury Trails Guide for the day.

Kaikoura: Where Giants of the Deep Await in an Intimate Encounter

Embark on an unforgettable private tour from Christchurch, venturing through the picturesque pastoral landscapes of North Canterbury, where rolling hills meet the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Your destination: Kaikoura, a coastal haven where majestic mountains kiss the sea,
and the wonders of the marine world unfold in an intimate and personalised experience.

Whale Watch Kaikoura: An Encounter with Marine Giants

Prepare to be captivated as you embark on a world-renowned Whale Watch Kaikoura cruise, a journey that promises an up-close encounter with some of the ocean's most magnificent creatures. Step aboard our specially designed catamaran vessel, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and expert marine guides, and set sail for an adventure that will leave you breathless.

Kaikoura Canyon: A Marine Life Hotspot

Kaikoura's unique underwater landscape, the Kaikoura Canyon, creates a nutrient-rich environment that attracts an abundance of marine life. As you cruise through these pristine waters, be prepared to witness the awe-inspiring presence of the mighty sperm whale, the largest toothed predator on Earth. Marvel at their sheer size and grace as they breach, dive, and reveal their distinctive tails.

Beyond Sperm Whales: A Kaleidoscope of Marine Life

While sperm whales are the stars of the show, Kaikoura's waters are also home to a diverse array of marine mammals. Keep your eyes peeled for playful dusky dolphins, who often accompany the whales, their acrobatic displays adding a touch of joy to the experience. With luck, you may also encounter other magnificent species, such as the majestic humpback whale, the elusive southern right whale, or the playful orca (killer whale).

A Feast for the Senses:

After your exhilarating whale watching adventure, indulge in a delightful café lunch, savoring the flavors of local cuisine amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Kaikoura's coastal charm. Your journey concludes with a scenic drive to a lookout point, where panoramic vistas of the peninsula and the boundless Pacific Ocean stretch before you, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Whale Watch Kaikoura is more than just a tour – it's a transformative experience that connects you with the raw power and beauty of the natural world, and it's your chance to witness the magic of these marine giants in their awe-inspiring habitat.

Tour Inclusions:

  • Travel by luxury vehicle
  • Whale Watch cruise.
  • Cafe lunch in Kaikoura
  • Courtesy city hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • Delicious morning or afternoon tea picnic (weather permitting)
  • Fully escorted with informative commentary.

Departure time: 7:30 am
Return: approx. 5.45 pm

Tour Code: PRI KA01

What our customers are saying..

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Customer Reviews

  • Outstanding experience - blue whale, dolphins and seals.

    We saw all we hoped for and more. Got very lucky and spent an hour or more with a Blue Whale, saw a massive pod of dolphins maybe 200+, hung out along the beach with big family of fur seals and even saw couple type of Albatross. Jock was a super guide that knew the area well and was able to make adjustments on the fly as it was just us. All in all my highlight of a two week trip in South Island, New Zealand. A great experience!!! Highly recommend but do remember nature is not a zoo, you see what you see

  • What a fantastic experience!

    The weather was great and we got to see no less than THREE whales in our tour! Each of them for about 5-10 min. And when they disappeared we had the tail view. The crew was great! Despite previous reviews, our guide stayed quite when the whales dove so that you could make a nice video without the commentary.

  • Worth it

    Amazing ..a must do for people love to try new things .......worth every penny..10/10 really
    enjoyed every bit of it...

  • Whales tails!!

    We had a fantastic day trip with Canterbury Trails. Our drive guide Dave picked.us up at our hotel and promptly informed us that we were the only people booked -so we had an amazing private tour. The drive to Kaikoura was spectacular- bucolic rolling hills.with sheep grazing and wandering cows giving way to spectacular southern Alps dusted with snow as the sea met the coast. We saw humpbacks whales within 10 minutes of boarding our whale watching boat. The whale watching tour was also phenomenal with very informative and experienced guides. We saw humpbacks, Hector Dolphins, petrels, albatross, shearwaters and New Zealand fur seals. Dave then met us at the end of the whale watching experience and drove us to The Pier Hotel for a fresh seafood lunch in an historic building on Kaikoara. The heard back to Christchurch, stopping at the fantastic Pegasus Bay winery. There were amazing gardens and even more amazing wines. Thank you Canterbury Trails, and especially, thank you Dave!