Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch
Christchurch, New Zealand
Rating: 
Trip Type: Dolphin & Whale Watching
Duration: 11 hrs
Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a whale-watching
cruise from the picturesque town of Kaikoura. Look for the mighty sperm
whales that live in these waters along with dolphins, New Zealand fur
seals and seabirds. Admire breathtaking views of the snow-capped
Kaikoura Ranges and visit a fur seal colony on land. Wrap up the day
with a wine tasting at a vineyard in North Canterbury. Your experienced
guide shares informative commentary throughout the day on this fun and
fascinating tour.
More About This Activity All Dolphin & Whale Watching →
Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a whale-watching
cruise from the picturesque town of Kaikoura. Look for the mighty sperm
whales that live in these waters along with dolphins, New Zealand fur
seals and seabirds. Admire breathtaking views of the snow-capped
Kaikoura Ranges and visit a fur seal colony on land. Wrap up the day
with a wine tasting at a vineyard in North Canterbury. Your experienced
guide shares informative commentary throughout the day on this fun and
fascinating tour.
Your day starts with pickup from your Christchurch hotel, then travel in
a comfortable coach for about 2.5 hours to reach Kaikoura, taking a
scenic road through the North Canterbury region.
In Kaikoura, meet your boat for your whale-watching tour with expert local guides. As you cruise, learn about the town, its whaling history and its natural features. Not far offshore lies the Hikurangi Trench, which creates the upwelling that attracts an abundance of marine life. If you’re lucky, you can watch the whales breach, spout and lift their huge fins and tails out of the water.
While the giant sperm whales are the stars of the show and live here year-round, you might also see New Zealand fur seals, dusky dolphins and, depending on the season, migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales. Kaikoura’s waters also host the world's largest dolphins—the orca–and the world's smallest and rarest—Hector’s dolphins.
On the feathered side of life, Kaikoura has the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand, with 13 species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and 7 types of shearwaters.
After your whale-watching cruise, take a break for a tasty lunch at a local restaurant with great views of the snow-dusted mountains of the Seaward Kaikoura Range. Have the option to include the lunch in your tour at additional cost, or to purchase your own meal.
Once you have refueled, hop back on the bus to visit a nearby New Zealand fur seal colony where you can observe the seals at close quarters. Then begin your return journey to Christchurch, stopping at a North Canterbury vineyard for a wine tasting as time allows. Your tour ends in the evening when your guide returns you to your hotel.
In Kaikoura, meet your boat for your whale-watching tour with expert local guides. As you cruise, learn about the town, its whaling history and its natural features. Not far offshore lies the Hikurangi Trench, which creates the upwelling that attracts an abundance of marine life. If you’re lucky, you can watch the whales breach, spout and lift their huge fins and tails out of the water.
While the giant sperm whales are the stars of the show and live here year-round, you might also see New Zealand fur seals, dusky dolphins and, depending on the season, migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales. Kaikoura’s waters also host the world's largest dolphins—the orca–and the world's smallest and rarest—Hector’s dolphins.
On the feathered side of life, Kaikoura has the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand, with 13 species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and 7 types of shearwaters.
After your whale-watching cruise, take a break for a tasty lunch at a local restaurant with great views of the snow-dusted mountains of the Seaward Kaikoura Range. Have the option to include the lunch in your tour at additional cost, or to purchase your own meal.
Once you have refueled, hop back on the bus to visit a nearby New Zealand fur seal colony where you can observe the seals at close quarters. Then begin your return journey to Christchurch, stopping at a North Canterbury vineyard for a wine tasting as time allows. Your tour ends in the evening when your guide returns you to your hotel.
« Go Back