Whale Watch Kaikoura
Kaikoura Whale Watching Tour
All prices shown in NZD$.
Genuine Customer Reviews powered by 
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Great service in the VIP Captains seating. Very comfortable and the staff served us well.
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Excellent tour. We appreciated the great service and comfort in the VIP Captains Area. Commentary was very informative and seeing three whales and dolphins was spectacular! So glad we spent a little extra to book the VIP Captains Area...well worth the extra dollars. Thank you to the team for a great time!
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Great service in the VIP Captains seating. Very comfortable and the staff served us well.
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Excellent tour. We appreciated the great service and comfort in the VIP Captains Area. Commentary was very informative and seeing three whales and dolphins was spectacular! So glad we spent a little extra to book the VIP Captains Area...well worth the extra dollars. Thank you to the team for a great time!
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Friendly staff. Good commentary and communication.
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Thoroughly enjoyed out trip. Our guide gave great information and had a great sense of humour. We saw a sperm whale and watched him dive and saw a multitude of playful dolphins. Would go again if we are back in Kaikoura.
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It was great, appreciate the phone call about our booking
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We feel so privileged to have seen the whales and dolphins in their habitat. Absolutely amazing, the highlight of our South Island tour. Staff were so friendly and lovely. The on screen graphics amazing!
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We upgraded to the VIP experience in the captains cabin and everything from check-in to returning ran smoothly.
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We had never seen a sperm whale before so it was great to see along with a large group of dusty dolphins doing somersaults in the water.
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Very good
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Unfortunately we were unable to go on our whale watch adventure due to the inclement weather, but we were refunded within a couple of days
Very good
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Unfortunately we were unable to go on our whale watch adventure due to the inclement weather, but we were refunded within a couple of days
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Very good service
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Very well organised. Détailed explanations during the tour. Captain’s cabines very confortable.
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All very good
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I had a fantastic time
The staff were excellent very polite, very organised and very competent
We saw 1 whale, 1 seal and a lot of dolphins
It was excellent
Did what it said on the tin!
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Excellent crew team and unforgetable experience!
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Nice
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Professional,n friendly staffs 😊
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Everything New Zealand was a great way to find the activity we wanted and book it.
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The whole experience with Whale watch Kaikoura was professional, from booking right through to the end of the trip. The day of our trip was quite windy, and predicted to get windier. At check in we were given the option to continue, postpone or cancel. We chose to continue. The nature guide on board was excellent and all the other boat crew were polite, helpful and quietly solicitous to those who were struggling with the conditions. The captain was skilled at finding and tracking a whale and then took us to watch a large pod of dusky dolphins doing acrobatics! It was a fantastic trip, despite the weather, and I would highly recommend it.
Everything New Zealand was a great way to find the activity we wanted and book it.
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The whole experience with Whale watch Kaikoura was professional, from booking right through to the end of the trip. The day of our trip was quite windy, and predicted to get windier. At check in we were given the option to continue, postpone or cancel. We chose to continue. The nature guide on board was excellent and all the other boat crew were polite, helpful and quietly solicitous to those who were struggling with the conditions. The captain was skilled at finding and tracking a whale and then took us to watch a large pod of dusky dolphins doing acrobatics! It was a fantastic trip, despite the weather, and I would highly recommend it.
Excellent morning not just whale watching but also seeing Dusky dolphins and albatross. A friendly and professional service.
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Very helpful team.
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Such a well organized trip. Knowledgeable crew. Very comfortable boat. Helped by perfect sailing conditions but all the same. Highly recommended. Thank you.
Very helpful team.
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Such a well organized trip. Knowledgeable crew. Very comfortable boat. Helped by perfect sailing conditions but all the same. Highly recommended. Thank you.
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Excellent
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Great experience, however I fell while walking up the stairs and hurt my self.. I was alone and didn’t want to say anything to the staff who were lovely . We were advised boating conditions were bad that day and I should have taken their advice and got a refund ..
we got to see at least 3 whales and they turned on a great show.
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Easy booking, fast confirmation
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It was a great experience, we received a lot of Information during the trip, it was really worthwhile
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Easy to book. Easy to choose a voyage.
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Had a great time on this trip, despite the heavy rain.
The staff were knowledgeable and knew where to find whales. We saw two sperm whales and a number of dolphins too.
Good informative commentary on the wildlife.
Would definitely recommend.
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Great service. No issues at all
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Great way to spend the day. Saw only 2 whales but so many dolphins were swimming with the boat. In my opinion they were the highlight. Enjoyed the day and would recommend doing while in Kaikoura
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Very helpful when i needed to change dates.
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Brilliant!
Awesome experience. Fantastic, informative commentary, great graphics. Well organized and helpful staff.
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Our boat trip was wonderful. We saw 3 whales, several seals, one albatros et plenty of dolphins. The crew was wonderful and made a lot of comments very interesting. We love it and highly recommend this !
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Trip canceled but the company was honourable and I’d definitely go with them next time I’m in Kaikōura
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The service was very good except the handling of the seasickness of so many people on the boat. The tour guide made a good job!
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Well organised! We saw 1 sperm whale only minutes. I didn't see him as I was very seasick because of the hard sea. I would wish that the captain would have put the boat diagonal to the big waves most of the time.
Afterwards we saw beautiful schools of dusky dolphins. We've been very happy. Also about the refund of 80% of the price we paid and we will get because it was a whale watch tour and we nearly saw no whale. That was a very correct procedure!
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The boat was not full and this is why we enjoyed the cruise so much more.
The weather was cold and rainy however the captain was just amazing and we saw 2 sperm whales.
On way back, he stopped at the dusky dolphins spot and it was a spectacular “show”.
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Great service and communication well done
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We had an awesome trip saw a sperm whale really early on in the trip a had a amazing show from a humpback whale for about half an hour followed by a wonderful display by a whole host of dusty dolphins we even saw a fur seal on the way back into the harbour not to mention an amazing amount of sea birds including albatross. A trip I’ll never forget
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We’ve seen impressive whales and dolphins. The guide on the vessel was great!
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Perfect!
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Fantastic trip. 2 spermwhales, 2 Orcas, 1 Dol9hin group! Dreams cane true. Recommended!
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We had the best time, we saw 2 sperm whales an orca and a pod of dolphins. The staff were all fab and made sure we had a lovely time
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Exceptional from start to finish. Easy booking process. Lovely staff both on land and at sea. Superb views from the boats. Easy refund process on the whale watching - we will try again.
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Unfortunately we didn’t see a whale but received an 80% discount to compensate for our disappointment. Captain tried hard to find them and we travelled quite a way out to sea. Moderate seas and many many people were unwell. Great staff and very interesting commentary. Close up seal and distant albatross. We were in the captain’s VIP area which was excellent. We will definitely try again another day.
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Great day, thourly enjoyable.
Would have liked to have upgraded to captains club. Not sure how this is done.
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Great day, thourly enjoyable.
Would have liked to have upgraded to captains club. Not sure how this is done.
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Perfect
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Great
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Fast and efficient, with plenty of tour options all in one place.
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We learned so much from the knowledgeable host, and managed to see 2 sperm whales. Unfortunately a third failed to surface before we had to return.
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Fast and efficient, with plenty of tour options all in one place.
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We learned so much from the knowledgeable host, and managed to see 2 sperm whales. Unfortunately a third failed to surface before we had to return.
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Very quick to reply. Let us know the booking we had made was full so gave us options to change it. Asked if there was anything else they could help with
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The trip was very well run and the commentator was interesting, easy to relate to and informative. We did see 1 whale but it felt a bit like a zoo, as they went straight to a spot, waited for whale to come up, and then told us yo get ready for a photo of the tail before it went back down. They did move to another spot but don’t think they thought it would come up in time. Also one of the customer service team at the desk on shore was uninformative and unenthusiastic (but the other lady seemed lovely)
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Very quick to reply. Let us know the booking we had made was full so gave us options to change it. Asked if there was anything else they could help with
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The trip was very well run and the commentator was interesting, easy to relate to and informative. We did see 1 whale but it felt a bit like a zoo, as they went straight to a spot, waited for whale to come up, and then told us yo get ready for a photo of the tail before it went back down. They did move to another spot but don’t think they thought it would come up in time. Also one of the customer service team at the desk on shore was uninformative and unenthusiastic (but the other lady seemed lovely)
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Very quick to reply. Let us know the booking we had made was full so gave us options to change it. Asked if there was anything else they could help with
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The trip was very well run and the commentator was interesting, easy to relate to and informative. We did see 1 whale but it felt a bit like a zoo, as they went straight to a spot, waited for whale to come up, and then told us yo get ready for a photo of the tail before it went back down. They did move to another spot but don’t think they thought it would come up in time. Also one of the customer service team at the desk on shore was uninformative and unenthusiastic (but the other lady seemed lovely)
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Very , very good
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Es war super , wir haben 2 Wale gesehen. Der nette Herr aus England hat uns während der Fahrt alles super erzählt. Danke für den schönen Trip
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They managed my booking as soon as they received it.
They also gave me a refund for not seeing any whales during the cruise very fast.
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The cruise was amazing although we didn't see any whales.
The crew were very good and taught us about the whales and about other animals that live around, in the water and above.
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They managed my booking as soon as they received it.
They also gave me a refund for not seeing any whales during the cruise very fast.
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The cruise was amazing although we didn't see any whales.
The crew were very good and taught us about the whales and about other animals that live around, in the water and above.
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All good
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Very prompt. We did not see any whales but received our refund.
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Great and fast communication. Called us a few days in advance warning about the forecast (the weather ended up being great) and prompt communication about the refund.
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The tour was very well organised, the staff super friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any whales but lots of dolphins and dolphin babies, albatrosses, seals and one little blue Pinguin. The company upheld their promise for an 80% refund. Overall a great experience!
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Excellent
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Fantastic
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An excellent standard
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Brilliant tour in difficult circumstances. The whales would not come out to be seen. We saw the tail of a Sperm Whale and a Hump Back.
My partner was allowed listen to the Sperm Whale as the Captain tried to guess his movements.
The commentary was good not only about the Whales but the description of the fault and the local food also helped our understanding.
As we did not really see and Whales we were given 80 percent of our fee back...
A honest company.
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An excellent standard
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Brilliant tour in difficult circumstances. The whales would not come out to be seen. We saw the tail of a Sperm Whale and a Hump Back.
My partner was allowed listen to the Sperm Whale as the Captain tried to guess his movements.
The commentary was good not only about the Whales but the description of the fault and the local food also helped our understanding.
As we did not really see and Whales we were given 80 percent of our fee back...
A honest company.
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Top notch
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service and attention to detail 100%
friendly professional and informative crew
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excellent day out, very professional and well organised crew, boat is spacious and safe, video lecture about whales etc complemented the experience well. saw 2 whales, seals feeding, albatross and many other birds, and also dozens of dusky dolphins
I was overwhelmed when viewing the whale dive. The trip will remain as a highlight in my journey. And that the staff were so knowledgeable and environmentally conscious and proactive to care for the environment was very encouraging
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I was overwhelmed when viewing the whale dive. The trip will remain as a highlight in my journey. And that the staff were so knowledgeable and environmentally conscious and proactive to care for the environment was very encouraging
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Excellent for the whale
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Easy to book on Klook wonderful
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They found us a whale! 😀
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Enjoy it very, very, very much. Thank you
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Great service from coach to boat and back. Excellent commentary (Mack). Saw a sperm whale, a blue whale and albatrosses which is perhaps more than you can reasonably expect. Travelled from Tauranga so well worth the effort. The check-in process with long queues and then a wait until coach got underway seemed a little inefficient, but perhaps I am just quibbling.
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See section under experience with Everything New Zealand
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Amazing experience. Very knowledgeable crew and captain. Went out of their way to make sure we spotted a Sperm Whale that was being quite elusive!! A great trip - would love to do it again!!
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Very efficient - ready experience
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Fantastic all aspects 100% especially the Boyd family
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Great all round experience
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Whale Watch cancelled, no whales visible.Text message to let me know and immediate refund.
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Organised refund when Whale Watch cancelled by them,
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Friendly helpful staff. Loads of good commentary on the vessel regarding the whales.
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Easy to complete process.
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Although we didn't see any whales on our trip, I can't hold Everything New Zealand responsible.
What I was really impressed with was how quickly I received the 80% refund with no argument at all.
The trip was good, and they did everything they could to spot a whale for us.
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Great boat. Great staff.
Shame the whales didn't turn up.
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Karma was outstanding in helping us achieve our goals and Kate was equally good in the execution. I would use this company again.
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We had to cancel this activity.
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Great trip once on the water. Commentary was very good and informative. Only improvement is that having food and hot drinks available on site would be helpful
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Cost was fine and in line with other types of experience
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Perfect, good communication via email
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Very good from start to finish. We managed to see a Sperm whale and some Dusky Dolphins 😊
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Easy to book and efficient
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Very enjoyable and they delivered on the promise
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Was super easy to book the tour and customer service was very friendly!
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We spotted 2 whales (one snooze and one dived in showing us his tail!!) and lots of dolphins. For people who have motion sickness best get some pills in town and keep cool!
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The staff were all friendly and very knowledgable. We were all very amazed at how they were able to locate the whale and when the whale was about to dive back down.
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Quite pricey but that was expected since it was during peak season. The staff were working hard to locate the whale for us and told us when it was the perfect time to take a photo. I recommend it for people who haven’t encountered a whale before, but just don’t recommend it for people who get seasick quite easily.
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the flight is wonderful and the sceneries are superb.
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the staffs are very friendly and helpful.
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The whale watch tour was just amazing, would highly recommend, our captain & tour commentator Mel, we’re excellent!
Most grateful to be able to come to NZ considering the turmoil in the world today!
Thank you
Maggie from Australia 🇦🇺
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Excellent highly recommend!
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Amazing experience with knowledgeable guides.
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Great sightings and friendly crew.
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Yes definitely
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The service was great the boat trip and watch was amazing and exceptionally well organised and informative! The staff were great! The weather fortunately was also amazing, and the whales and dolphins performed perfectly for their audience!
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Really friendly staff, great service and amazing overall experience. The tour was safe and respectful to the wildlife and great that crew shared knowledge of animals and area. I loved that is was culturally relevant also.
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Very well worth the cost.
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Efficient and easily navigated site
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Whale Watching in Kaikoura was amazing. The captain and crew were friendly and informative and the wildlife superb
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Great experience and we will be recommending friends and family to use your company . Thank you .
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Memorable journey with great boat team . Even it was rainy day we been so excited to be able to watch beautiful wale.
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback, we really appreciate it. We are so glad to hear that you were able to enjoy the Whale Watch Tour. Please get in touch regarding any future holiday plans, we would be more than happy to assist you & offer you a repeat customer discount. All the best! :) Everything Travel Group
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It was a very easy process and I'd definitely use them again.
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An absolutely brilliant experience. The staff were very passionate and knowledgeable. Thoroughly recommend.
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback, we really appreciate it. We are so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time on the Whale Watch Tour. Please get in touch regarding any future holiday plans, we would be more than happy to assist you & offer you a repeat customer discount. All the best! :) Everything Travel Group
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We found a whale & large pod of Dusky Dolphins
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Found the a Sperm Whale & large pod of Dusky Dolphins
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback, we really appreciate it. We are so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time on the Whale Watching Tour in Kaikoura. Please get in touch regarding any future holiday plans, we would be more than happy to assist you & offer you a repeat customer discount. All the best! :) Everything Travel Group
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We had an amazing experience with Whale Watch Kaikoura. The staff went out if their way to make sure we got the most out of the trip, and did the utmost to ensure we got to see the magnificent whales, along with beautiful bird life and dolphins. Educational videos and information was invaluable. Thank you so much!! 👍
Product rating:
Absolute value for money!
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We are happy to hear that you had an amazing time on the Whale Watching Tour. We hope to see you here in Kaikoura again soon. All the best!
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Everything went perfectly!
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Professional and enjoyable
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We are happy to hear that you had an amazing time in Kaikoura. We hope to see you here again soon. All the best!
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We had a great experience on the whale watch encounter. It went above and beyond our expectations.
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It was very easy and quick.
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We are happy to hear that you had an amazing time in Kaikoura. We hope to see you here again soon. All the best!
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Great commentary and great customer service. We went on our Whale watching experience during Level 2, very impressed with the staff and how they complied with Level 2 restrictions.
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Worth the money to get up close to sperm whales and dolphins, a unique experience
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience at Whale Watch Kaikoura. We hope to see you here in Kaikoura soon again. All the best!
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Yes we are already talking about when we could go whale watching again, the team were friendly and knowledgeable.we are stunned by the beauty of the mammals.
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Money well spent highly recommended.
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience at Whale Watch Kaikoura. We just talked on the phone and you booked this experience again - so amazing! We will see you here in Kaikoura soon! :)
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Amazing trip
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It was a fabulous day. Saw two whales and a pod of 300+ dolphins. Warned us it was rough and probably half were unwell but they had been warned
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We are glad that you had a great time in Kaikoura & we hope to see you here soon again. All the best!
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Easy to book and good interaction when changing time of sailing. Activity had all info on our arrival.
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Crew have very good knowledge of the sea life. Skipper sales well and lookout knew his stuff. Land crew also ran an efficient service.
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We are glad that you had an amazing time in Kaikoura & we hope to see you here soon again. All the best!
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Great experience for anyone who likes to see nature at its best - whales, dolphins and various species of bird life out at sea. 2 hours well spent!
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Value for money well spent
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We are glad that you had an amazing time in Kaoikoura & we hope to see you here soon again. All the best!
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Because of circumstances beyond your control my trip was postponed three times. Being a nature trip I expected and understood this. However staff were most accommodating to my requests and were quick to assist in any way they could. When I did go out the organisation was extremely professional and I was most impressed. We did see a whale, many albatross and a pod of dolphin. This was fantastic. Thank you so much.
Product rating:
Excellent value for money
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. Weare glad that you had an amazing time in Kaikoura & we hope to see you here soon again. All the best!
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During our pandemic I was not able to travel they were very understanding and were to other me other arrangements to suit me...
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It was everything I wanted..
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We hope you had a great time in Kaikoura! All the best & stay safe!
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The staff were wonderful and made the entire experience memorable
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Professional crew and very informative good trip
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We hope you had a great time in Kaikoura! All the best & stay safe!
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Amazing service
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Great experience for all the family
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We hope you had a great time in Kaikoura! All the best & stay safe!
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Found Everything NZ on the web to book the Whale Watch trip in Kaikoura and within seconds it was all confimred and sorted. Matthew was very friendly and informative. Will definately use ENZ to book all trips and excursions for my next road trip. Many thanks.
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Excellent service........
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We hope you had a great time in Kaikoura! All the best & stay safe!
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We booked and then 3 days before our sailing with them they rang and confirmed our bookings.
On the day a good day for sailing with great staff. Got to see a whale , Dolphins seals and bird life. A great trip to do.
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Was worth the money. Had a good day.
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We hope you had a great time in Kaikoura! All the best & stay safe!
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A good afternoon
Two Whales
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A good afternoon
Four whales
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We hope you had a great time in Kaikoura! All the best & stay safe!
Service rating:
Quick and easy , would use again
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Excellent afternoon . Informative and exhilarating experience . Would highly recommend .
Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your great experience. We hope you had a great time in New Zealand! All the best & stay safe!
Latest Questions about Whale Watch (Kaikoura)
Is there a best time or a whale watching season in Kaikoura?
Comments
Fortunately in Kaikoura, there is a resident pod of Giant Sperm Whales that are around 12 months of the year. The 95% whale spotting success rate means you are guaranteed an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. Other migratory whales pass through Kaikoura's waters at various times of the year also.
What do we need to take with us when we go out on the Whale watching boat?
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Thank you for your question about Whale Watching in Kaikoura. For this Whale watching activity, we recommend you dress warmly, wear flat shoes and bring a waterproof jacket if you wish to spend time outside on the decks of the vessel. Bring your camera and if you would like to take food and drinks on board you can, as there is no shop on board the vessel.
Good morning,
Do you have parking facilities for a camper van please?
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Yes there are parking facilities for campervans at the Whale Watch office 😊
Hi if you book the captains table do you get access to an outside viewing area or is it all through glass
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When you book the Captain's Cabin, you'll have access to an exclusive outdoor viewing area in addition to the cabin's large windows. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy both the indoor comforts and the spectacular views from the top deck.
We would like to know how many people will be on the Whale Watch Kaikoura boat during the tour?
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On the Whale Watch in Kaikoura the whole boat can have a maximum of 99 people. This is including the captains cabin upstairs that holds a maximum of 12 people.
When is best time for seeing them
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The best time to see whales in Kaikoura is generally between June and August when sperm whales are most abundant. However, Kaikoura offers whale watching year-round, as different whale species can be spotted in all seasons. The summer months (December to February) are also great for seeing a variety of marine life, including humpback whales and orcas.
We are coming over in April. My daughter will be 3 in July, is there any chance she can attend the tour?
Comments
Your daughter will need to be at least 3 years old at the time of travel. This is a requirement due to health and safety regulations, and to ensure she is properly insured in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
Can you cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before
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If you purchase our Change & Cancellation Protection (CCP) for $29 it will provide flexibility and peace of mind and will protect you if you change your mind or need to cancel a booking for any reason. As long as you contact us no less than 72 hours prior to the departure time of the specified activity we will allow you to change the time or date of departure for no additional cost. Or you cancel your booking all together and receive a 100% credit for use toward another tour booking or a refund back to your credit card with a 25% administration fee.
Timing and duration
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The departure times for Whale Watch Kaikoura start from 7:15 AM but can vary depending on the time of Year. You should allow 3.5 Hours for the whole experience, including check-in time.
What time of year do you see blue whales ?
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Kaikoura has a permanent Giant Sperm Whales, unfortunately blue whales only pass through New Zealand and are not often spotted
When is the best time to go whale watching in Kaikoura?
Will they be around in January?
Comments
Thanks so much for your question regarding the Whale Watch in Kaikoura. Great news we have a permanent pod of sperm whales that live in the area so there is a very high success rate for the tours and if you don't see any whales you do get a partial refund for the trip
What is the likelihood of viewing whales in Kaikoura around mid-October?
Comments
Whale Watch Kaikoura is the only sea based whale watching tour provider in New Zealand operating all twelve months of the year. Whale Watch offers international and domestic visitors to Kaikoura an exciting close up encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale, the largest of the toothed whales.
Hi we are planning to go Whale watching in Kaikoura in late September, is it ok to book now? Do the boats have bathrooms onboard?
Comments
Yes, Whale Watching in Kaikoura is available to book all year round, we recommend booking in advance as it is subject to booking out during peak seasons. There are also bathroom facilities on board the boat during the tour.
Hello, we plan to come to Kaikoura in late June. Is it still possible to see the whales at that time of year
Comments
Thanks so much for your enquiry into Whale Watch Kaikoura. Great news, yes it is still possible at this time, we have a permanent pod of sperm whales that live in the area so the tour has a very high success rate and if no whales are spotted on the day of your cruise you get an 80% refund.
Are there whales about in Kaikoura in December?
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Fortunately in Kaikoura, there is a resident pod of giant sperm whales that live all year round in the 2km deep trench just off the coast of Kaikoura. During the year the coast is visited by other transient whales but the great thing about Kaikoura is that regardless of when you come to visit there are always giant sperm whales there.
When are you likely to see whales on top of the water.
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Thanks for your question about Whale Watch Kaikoura. The whales are in the wild and they go up to the surface to breathe air, if they are moving they will surface more but it all depends on the day.
My elderly parents won’t have a vehicle but would like to go whale watching Kaikoura. Do you provide a Transport service to get them to the trip?
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Thanks for your question. Whale Watch Kaikoura does not offer transport. They are based in central Kaikoura so walking distance from many accommodation options.
What time does check-in close for the Whale-watching tours?
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. The check-in for the Whale Watch Tour in Kaikoura is at the time of the session. If you are booked in for the 12.45 pm session you are able to check in at 12.45. Although we do recommend getting there 5 -10 before this to make sure you are on time.
I want to go Whale Watching. What is the Captain Cabin?
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Thank you so much for your enquiry. For extra comfort and exclusivity, the Captain's Cabin offers guests great views with big windows to look out through. The Captain's Cabin is situated in the wheelhouse alongside the skipper and watchkeeper with a maximum of 12 guests only. Guests can relax and enjoy watching the whales while sitting in comfortable luxurious seating and listening to the dedicated cabin nature guide.
How far out does the boat go out on the Whale watching tour? I heard the sea gets suddenly very deep.
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Thank you for your question about the Whale Watch Kaikoura tour. Yes, the Kaikoura Canyon reaches depths of up to 1200 + metres, the canyon is part of the Kermadec Trench system which extends far out into the Pacific Ocean. The canyon is located around 800 metres off the Kaikoura coast, the whale watching routes vary depending on the conditions and whale activity.
Is mid-August a good time to come whale watching in Kaikoura?
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Thank you so much for your enquiry ! Yes, August is a great time for Whale Watching in Kaikoura. During the winter months, we usually have many different species around Kaikoura.
How much for two adults in February?
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Thank you for your question. In February 2021the Oceans Cabin costs $150 NZD per person and the Captain's Cabin (premium experience) is $180 NZD per person.
Can children 2 year old and below apply for the ferry trip?
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Hi Joy, Thank you for your query. Unfortunately, Whale Watch Kaikoura do not allow children under 3 years of age onto their boat trips.
We will ne there Feb 15th. Do we need to book ?
Thanks
Wendy
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Yes, it is highly recommended to book in advance so that you are guaranteed a space, as this tour is very popular and spaces get filled up quickly!
Return transfers from our booking office in town to our marina. Where is the booking office?
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Whale Watch booking office is located at Whaleway Station Road, Kaikoura 7340. It is best to book in advance as this trip is very popular and spaces fill up quickly.
Is the morning or afternoon tour best to see whales and weather best
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We usually recommend the morning tour but this tour is weather dependent so best is to book for the first day you are available so that we can reschedule your tour if necessary.
Hi..do you offer a senior's Gold Card discount for the tour? Thanks
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For this Whale Watch Kaikoura tour, there is just the standard adult price and child price. However, we do offer multi activity discounts so please get in touch to organise a discounted package.
How much for a family of 5
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Yes, we offer family packages. Please contact us via email at [email protected] and we can put together package for you.
Is it possible for a child aged 2 and 11 months years old to join the tour?
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Hi Jim, Unfortunately, the operator policy is the following: Policy: Minimum age for a child is strictly 3 years old. It has been deemed due to the nature of the experience, the speed of the vessels, the ride of the vessels and the changeable conditions off our coastline that the tour is not fit for children under the age of 3yrs.
Hi can I come with 18 months baby to watch whale watching
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Thanks for your enquiry regarding Whale Watch Kaikora. Unfortunately, the minimum age for the tour is 3 years old for safety reasons.
Do you accomodate wheelchairs?
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To board the boat you would need to leave the wheelchair behind, the staff can assist you on to the boat and get you comfortable on a seat. Then whenever a Whale is spotted the skipper will make sure the boat is lined up on the side you are sat on, for you to get the best look at the Whales.
Hi, is there a carpark near your office for parking please?
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There is plenty of parking in the surrounding area, there's also a big parking lot right next to the beach if you were unable to find parking on a nearby street.
Hi, what time of year are you more likely to see humpbacks?
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Humpack whales can frequently be seen during the winter months (June/July/August) as they migrate from the Antarctic. In Kaikoura, you will also be able to see sperm whales all year round :)
Do you take 2 year olds?
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With this tour, for safety purposes, children under 3 are not permitted. This is due to the nature of the experience, the speed of the vessels, the ride of the vessels and the changeable conditions off the coastline.
Hello, How large are your boats (length and with?)? How many passengers?
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Heya, The whale watch Kaikoura boats are all 18m long with a width of 6.4m. They can take up to 48 passengers on each trip.
I am interested to join whale watching tour with my husband on Dec 13. May I know any transportation arrangement from Christchurch and the cost?
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Heya, Unfortunately there are no transfers included from Christchurch. Its a 2 hour 40 minute drive so you will need to look into public transport or hire a car.
Hello, I am looking at booking a whale watch for my sisters 30th birthday in dec. When do I need to book and pay by?
Kind Regards
Debbie
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Hi Debbie, December/Jan is the busiest time of year, they are getting very booked up from about 21st onwards in Dec so i would recommend booking in asap to secure your spots. You will pay at the time of booking.
Hello, Im wanting to book but as the trip is 3.5 hrs & im on oxygen for my health, would there be a normal power point I could use if I need to charge up my concentrator on board, thank you
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Hi Deb! Absolutely, that won't be a problem , there are plenty of powerpoints on board that you can use
Could you tell me the times for trips on 20/3/18 please
2 adults
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Hi there. I intend coming in September from Australia with family. This includes my brother Colin who lives in Christchurch. Colin has a disability as a result of a motorbike accident many years ago. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility. Would he be able to participate in a tour. This will be part of his 60th birthday celebration .
Whale watching would certainly be a lovely experience for him for his birthday! They have said that he would be able to attend the tour if you and the staff would be able to move him from his wheelchair to their own wheelchair. As motorised chairs cannot fit on the boat. He will then have to move from that wheelchair to the seat of which he would stay for the duration of the tour. They would ensure the whales were on his side of the boat for viewing.
please can you confirm the best time to book a trip in mid December - morning or after noon re seeing as many whales as possible
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Heya, The whales live there permanently and are active for most of the day. The times they take the boat out are set at those times purposefully to maximise whale sightings.
What is you time for whale watch on Oct, It is take 3.5 hr, isn't it?
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Hello, There are many times as the boats go depending on the tides. It is roughly one around 7am, 10am and Midday. They are getting very booked up now though so i would recommend contacting us via live chat or email so we can check the live availability for you.
How can I get from Chch to Kaikoura without a car?
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There is actually a day tour from Christchurch to Kaikoura return that includes the whale watching. It departs Christchurch at 8am and returns by 6pm.
What times the boat leave?
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Hi No need to answer my questions, I read further down and saw all the answers!!Thank you
what are the tour times in early november
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In early November (which is the same for the entire summer season), the Kaikoura whale watch tours depart at 7.15am, 10am, 12.45pm and 3.30pm. If these boats fill up then sometimes there are extra departure times opened up. We always recommend booking for one of the morning departures if possible as the wind often picks up in the afternoon and can sometimes make the seas a bit choppy.
Hi, what is the cancellation policy of this whale tour?
Regards
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If your whale watch tour is cancelled for any reason by Kaikoura whale watch then you can reschedule or get a full refund from us. If you decide to cancel for any reason then as long as you give us at least 48 hours then we will be happy to offer you a full refund.
We are travelling to New Zealand in July with our 2 children ages 1 and 3. Is there a whale watching tour we can do as we saw on the website that children under 3 are not permitted.
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Yes unfortunately that is the case and this is the only one whale watch boat cruise company in Kaikoura. There is a scenic flight you can do called Wings over Whales and kids under 3 travel for free.
Hi. What months of the year are you most likely to see whales on this trip?
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Hi Sue, Giant Sperm whales are present in Kaikoura all year round due to the abundant food source and whale watch have a 95% success rate in finding whales. If your tour does not spot a whale then you are entitled to a 80% refund. At certain times of the year you can also see Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales.
What times are the whale watch boat trips
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The whale watch boat trips depart at 10am and 12.15pm all year, as well as 7am and 3.30pm during summer (November-March).
What happens with bad weather , after booking?
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If the weather is bad and the whale watching tour in Kaikoura is cancelled, then you are given the option of rescheduling to another time or day, or you can get a full refund from us.
Is there a toilet on the boat
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Hi Glenda, yes there is a toilet on board the Whale Watch Kaikoura boat.
Does the train from Christchurch coincide with the 12.45 trip?Looking at 14th October..Thanks
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The train from Christchurch arrives in Kaikoura at 9.50am which coincides perfectly with the 10am whale watch tour (which actually doesn't depart until 10.30am). The 12.45pm tour finishes too late to get the train back to Christchurch on the same day. The Whale Watch office is right next door to the train station.
I am planning a birthday trip in the summer for my grand-daughter and myself from Ch Ch to Kaikoura and return with a whale watch excision as the added attraction for the day. Do you wait for the train from Ch Ch to arrive at Kaikaoura before the bus leaves for the whale watch boats? The latter departure time of the boats will not have us back at the station in time to get the train back to Ch Ch. If you don't wait a couple of minutes then I will have to have a rethink of the birthday treat.
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The Kaikoura whale watch boats actually leave 30 minutes after your check in time. So if you want to book on the 10am trip for example, which lines up nicely with the train from Christchurch, then you need to check in just after 10am and the boat wont actually depart until 10.30am. Many people catch the train down from Christchurch for this trip so you wont miss it if you are on the train. Please note, that for this reason, the 10am trip does book up well in advance so we do recommend booking soon. Once you book via our website we will email your confirmation straight back to you.
Hello, how much do your whale watching tours cost? And how long do they take? Do we get a full refund of money if we don't see any, not just a voucher as we are not from the area?
Regards,
Yanisae Cornes
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The whale watch tours in Kaikoura cost $145 per adult and $60 per child. If your whale watch tour is cancelled and you don't get out on the boat then you get a 100% refund back onto your credit card. If you do actually go on the tour but you don't see any whales then you get refunded 80% back onto your credit card.
Is it possible to purchase a voucher for a friend to go on a whale watch tour? If so how do I go about doing this?
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Hi Jackie. Yes you can certainly book an open dated gift voucher for the whale watching in Kaikoura. If you click on the Book Now button then select 'I want this to be an open dated gift voucher'. You can then write a message to the recipient and proceed to the Check Out page where you can pay securely with your credit card and we will then instantly email the gift voucher to you.
Time of cruises
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Hi Barb. The whale watch cruises in Kaikoura depart at 10am and 12.45pm all year as well as 7am and 3pm during the summer months. When were you looking at booking for? It is very popular so we recommend booking in advance.
What time of day the first of February has the highest probability of whale sightings in Kaikoura?
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Hi Diane, the 7.15am Whale Watch Kaikoura tour is often the best tour to go on as that is generally when conditions are at their calmest making good viewing for whales.
Good Morning.
I have 3 daughters & am planning on giving them & their partners vouchers for a whale watch for christmas presents. They can be used at their leisure, as they will have fund the travel from their homes to Kaikoura. Are the vouchers able to be made out in their names and are there expiry dates on them? Thank you.
As I have G mail it may pay to e mail my work address, which is below.
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Hi Bryan
Yes you can specify the names and a message to appear on each gift voucher. The Gift Vouchers are valid for 1 year. Once you book on the website the Gift Voucher will be sent to you in pdf format immediately.
Do you cater for wheelchair bound passengers?
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Hi Tony, Whale Watch Kaikoura can accommodate for guests in wheelchairs. What will happen is they would be put into a carry on chair that Whale Watch have to transfer the passenger onto the vessel and they will then be seated beside a window with full viewing. The passenger would need to be able to support themselves to get out of the carry on chair and into their seat. Unfortunately if you are bound by an electric chair these cannot be accommodated for as you are unable to take your own chair on board the vessel. Please be aware that the captain has the final say as to whether or not wheelchair bound passengers can travel on the day. If weather conditions are unfavourable and bumpy then the captain may decline any wheelchair bound passengers as it will just be too uncomfortable for them and not safe. If this is the case then obviously a full refund would be issued.
Which is the best time to see the whales?
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Hi Claire, Whale Watching operates all year round in Kaikoura as it is one of the few locations in the world that are lucky enough to have sperm whales present all year due to the abundant food source in the area. However, while While sperm whales stay around all year, Kaikoura is also visited by many migrating whales, like humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales. The whales leave Antarctic waters for the winter and head up to the tropics, stopping at Kaikoura on the way. For migrating whales, June and July are the best times to go.
Hi there. We are wanting to do a whale-watching tour on Wed Feb 27th. Can you tell me if there is a best time of day for seeing whales, or is any time OK.
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Hi Lynne. Any time of day is good for seeing whales in Kaikoura however often the mornings have better weather and less wind which makes for a more enjoyable experience. I'd recommend booking either the 7.15am or 10am whale watch departure from Kaikoura if possible.
hi, i will be visiting nz in feb. Is this a good time to see the humpback whales or should i do tour the next time i come to new zealand?
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Hi Allisha. Anytime of the year is a great time to go Whale Watching in Kaikoura. Kaikoura is one of the few places in the world where Sperm Whales can be seen year-round and close to shore. They congregate here because the 3km deep Kaikoura Canyon runs right up against the coast creating a rare system of sea currents that sustain an incredibly rich marine food chain. Sperm Whales are at the top of this food chain and the abundance of fish ensures they make the waters of Kaikoura their home.
I'm pregnant would this be alright to do ?
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Hi Georgia. I have spoken with one of the Kaikoura Whale Watch boat captains who has informed me that normally there is no worries whatsoever if you are pregnant, you just need to obviously make sure you are really careful when moving around the boat. However, if the sea is a bit choppy and the captain thinks its going to be too rough out there then he will recommend that you don't go out on the boat. If this occurs then you can reschedule or receive a full refund from us. The captain will make this call on the day prior to the boat departing.
will have 2 full days in Kaikoura on 6 and 7 January. Is it better to book a morning whale tour now .. if we wait until our arrival is this a busy time and might we miss out if we dont book now my concern is if we book now the weather may have been better on the 2nd day
your advice please
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Hi Cathy. I highly recommend you book your Kaikoura whale watch tour now as they are often booked up many weeks in advance. There are often less winds in the morning so I recommend you book for the morning on day 1. If the weather is no good then the trip wont go ahead and you can reschedule to the second day or receive a full refund from us.
What sort of whales are we likely to see mid-November?
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Hi Sonya,
During mid November you will see Sperm Whales. However there is a chance you may also see Orca Whales as they are starting to be sighed through the summer months.
If our train arrives from Christchurch at 9:54 a.m., I am concerned about the time sitting at the train station. How far is the station from town? We would like to take the 12.45 whale watch. Thank you.
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Hi Jeanne. The Whale Watch office is right next to the train station in Kaikoura so if your train arrives at 9.54am then you could book the 10am whale watch as this tour doesnt actually depart until 10.30am (10am is the time you need to check in from).
Hi there, do you think it would be necessary to book an independent dolphin watching trip...how likely is it to see both whales and dolphins? Thanks and look forward to your reply.
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Hi Meryl. Dolphins are often spotted on the Kaikoura whale watch tour and given the opportunity the captain will make every effort to get up close and personal with them. The main focus on this tour however is the whales so there are no guarantees that dolphins will be spotted as the captain and crew are concentrating solely on locating the whales for you. I'd suggest booking the whale watch tour and if you don't end up seeing any dolphins then you could then book the dolphin encounter also.
Is there a best time of year to see Orca and/or Wondering Albatros?
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Hi Marc, the best time of year to view the Orca is during the summer months of Dec - March in Kaikoura. In saying that it is very difficult to predict when an Orca will turn up and the sightings happen about every 8-10 days during the Summer. The 10am tour may see one and then the 10.30am tour may miss it so it is very difficult to predict. Albatross' on the other hand are more readily seen all year.
Hi, i only have a day and a half to see kaikoura ,i was planning on getting a bus from christchurch at 7.15am in the morning this saturday ,arriving at kaikoura at 9.45am, would this give me enough time to make it to your whale watching tour
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Hi Katie, yes you would certainly be able to do the Kaikoura Whale Watching if your train arrives in at 9.45am. You will make the 10am trip or else there is 12.45pm as well. The check in for the Whale Watching is next door to the train station.
can you tell me if you will be operating on 1 January 2013?
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Hi Helen, yes Whale Watch Kaikoura certainly will be operating on Jan 1 2013.
We will be in the South Island from the end of August to mid September and were wondering if there is a time slot that is better to book to see the Whales? (10am 0r 12:45pm)
Thanks
Sam
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Hi Sam. It's really hard to predict but usually the best time to do the whale watch tour in Kaikoura is in the morning as there are usually less winds so I'd recommend booking the 10am departure. The whale watching is often booked up several weeks in advance so I recommend booking asap.
does the month of August have a high or low incidence of whale sightings.
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Hi Gordon,
Kaikora is pretty consistent throughout the year with whale sightings almost guaranteed. December - January are particularly busy.
Here is an update from yesterday which was sent out
"We believe there is as many as 6 Sperm Whales feeding in the area today with 4 only a few miles from home, we have also located the Blue Whale again which we believe is the same one we have been seeing for a while now which is also fantastic."
So I would say August is as good as any month to head out and see the Whales.
Regards,
Nigel
R U operating ie whale watching tours late September. If so what times are the tours please as doing train from chch and back to chch.
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Hi Ruth. Yes the whale watching tours in Kaikoura do operate all year. During September they depart twice daily at 10am and 12.45pm. They can get booked up in advance so I recommend booking via our site at least several weeks before hand.
Hi, I see that child under 3yrs old is not permitted. Is there any reason why it is not allowed?
We have been to New Zealand 3 yrs ago but miss seeing it. This time round we are going again but with our little child which is now 2yrs 3 mhs and we could have missed it.
Thks.
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Hi Toy, yes, that is correct. Unfortunately children under 3 are not permitted due to safety restrictions.
Do the whales stay all year round
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Hi William, yes the whales certainly are visible in Kaikoura all year round and that is one of the reasons Kaikoura Whale Watch is a very popular and such a unique operation.
Hi , my wife & my son will be in Kaikoura on 27th June and would like to do the 10am boat trip . Do I have to pay and book now ? or will it be ok on the day .
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Hi Rob, wes I definitely recommend booking now for your Whale Watch trip on the 27th June as Kaikoura Whale Watch in particular is a very popular activity and is often booked out days if not weeks in advance.
Hi
i would just like to ask what is whale watch kaikoura, when is the best time of year to see the whales?
Thanks.
Eilis.
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Hi Ellis. Kaikoura is one of the few places in the world where Sperm Whales can be seen year-round and close to shore. They congregate here because the 3km deep Kaikoura Canyon runs right up against the coast creating a rare system of sea currents that sustain an incredibly rich marine food chain. Sperm Whales are at the top of this food chain and the abundance of fish ensures they make the waters of Kaikoura their home.
Hi,
What species of whale would we expect to see in late August?
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Hi Louise, in August ou will most commonly experience the Giant Sperm Whales and often migrating Humpback Whales. Commonly spotted wildlife also includes Fur Seals, pods of Dolphins, the endangered Wandering Albatross and many other bird species.
Hi Louise, in August ou will most commonly experience the Giant Sperm Whales and often migrating Humpback Whales. Commonly spotted wildlife also includes Fur Seals, pods of Dolphins, the endangered Wandering Albatross and many other bird species.
Hi.. At this time of the year would it be successful to spot Whales..?
Thanks
Nigel
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Hi Nigel, yes whales are visibile at this time of year. Kaikoura is one of the few locations in the world where whales are visible all year round.
I will be visiting Kaikoura via train ex Ch-ch Sat 14 July. What would be the possibility of smooth seas?? Would I be able to catch the 10.00 departure given the train arrives at 9.54??
Hi Merry, winter is often a more pleasant time for whale watching as the sea is generally calmer as you get the clear days however it is difficult to determine what the seas will be like on July 14th. Yes you will make the 10am Whale Watch tour as the Whale Watch office is just a short walk from where the train arrives into.
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Reply from ENZ Experiences Ltd
Thank you so much for your feedback, we really appreciate it. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your Whale Watch experience. Please get in touch regarding any future holiday plans, we would be more than happy to assist you & offer you a repeat customer discount. All the best! :) Everything Travel Group
Posted 05-Jan-2022