Kaikoura Whale Watch

Whale Watch is New Zealand's only vessel-based whale watching company offering an exciting up-close encounter with the world's largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year, our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale.

For the avoidance of doubt, a whale, as defined by the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, means all species commonly known as whales; and includes baleen whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, killer whales and pilot whales.

The main focus of your tour is to locate and view the Giant Sperm whale. We average between 1 to 2 whale sightings per tour due to the length of time the whales can stay submerged. The whales form loose pods, keeping several miles between each other, so viewing any more than 1 to 2 whales per trip is a real bonus.

Around 80% of the world’s whale and dolphin species migrate past our coastline so at any given time there is the opportunity for other species of marine mammals to be sighted such as Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke, Pilot, Orca and Southern Right Whales, Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Southern Right Whale Dolphins, Elephant Seals and Leopard Seals.

Depending on the amount of time available after viewing the Sperm whales, the captain of the vessel may decide to move in along the coastline and see what other types of marine life can be encountered. This could include Dusky and Hector Dolphins and the New Zealand Fur Seal.

Kaikōura is also home to around 75% of the world’s pelagic sea bird species which include Wandering and Royal Albatross, Mollymawk Albatross, Petrels, Shearwaters, Prions, Fulmars, Gannets, Terns and Herons.

Throughout your tour there is an onboard visual presentation, “World of the Whales” – an experience that takes passengers “virtually” to the bottom of the Kaikōura undersea canyon. The presentation also provides information for a variety of marine life found in Kaikōura waters.