Whale Watch is New Zealand's only marine-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year. Whale Watch scheduled tours operate daily. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. Whale Watch tours are extremely popular so we advise to book early.
Whale Watch is a multiple award winning nature tourism company owned and operated by the indigenous Kati Kuri people of Kaikoura, a Maori sub-tribe of the South Island's larger Ngai Tahu Tribe. Whale Watch was formed in 1987 at a time when Maori were casualties of Kaikoura's declining economy. At this time of difficulty, Kati Kuri leaders like Bill Solomon believed the local Sperm Whales held the answer to the unemployment problems of the Maori community. They knew their ancestor Paikea had journeyed to a new life in New Zealand on the back of the whale Tohora. It seemed appropriate for Paikea's descendants to again ride on the back of the whale to a new life. And so it proved to be. The Kati Kuri founders of Whale Watch mortgaged their houses to secure a loan to start the business. In the early days passengers travelled aboard a small inflatable vessel. In time, the inflatable was replaced by a larger boat with an upper viewing deck - the Uruao - until today the Whale Watch fleet numbers four modern catamarans each specially designed for whale watching. The expansion of the Whale Watch fleet required the building of an entire marina in South Bay. It is from here that all whale watching tours now depart. Due to the phenomenal success of Whale Watch, Kaikoura is now one of New Zealand's leading tourism experiences offering a diverse range of exciting marine wildlife encounters. The company has stimulated investment in new accommodation, restaurants and an impressive array of cafes and galleries filled with the work of local artists. Paikea and Tohora still form the symbolic centre of Whale Watch. They represent the spiritual bond between the human world and the natural world and speak of the possibilities that reveal themselves when the world of nature is revered rather than exploited.
Months
January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Duration
Short (1-3 hours)
Vessel types
Small boat (0-50 passengers)
Times and prices
Adult NZ$145 valid 1 October 2009 to 31 August 2011 Child NZ$60 (3-15 inclusive) Children under 3 are not permitted on the tour. Tour costs can change without notice. Tour check-in times all year are: 7.15am, 10.00am and 12.45pm An extra tour is scheduled at 3.30pm from November to March. Whale Watch operate tours every day except Christmas Day.
About our skippers and naturalist guides
Whale Watch vessels are crewed by a friendly team of Skippers and Guides very experienced in interacting with the local Sperm Whales.
Facilities
Deck with 360?vision • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On board hydrophone • On board video • PA system • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Support conservation • Use a code of conduct
We frequently
Listen to whales and dolphins • See a whale's tail • Watch whales and dolphins
Baleen Whales
Blue Whale • Humpback Whale • Southern Right Whale
Toothed Whales
Killer Whale / Orca • Long-finned Pilot Whale • Sperm Whale
Ocean Dolphins
Dusky Dolphin
Other wildlife and points of interest
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
DRUART
We spotted 2 sperm whales
Traveled: 2009-12-28, Reviewed: 2012-09-10
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
One of the reasons we visited New Zealand was the presence of whales all the year. We booked our trip several months in advance. When we arrived at Kaikoura the weather was not good (strong wind and rough sea). The 2 first trips of the morning were cancelled due to the rough sea conditions, hopefully the third trip (the one we booked) was authorized to leave the harbor. However, the following recommendation was given on the TV screen before boarding: rough sea; not recommended for children below 7 years old and pregnant women.
Before boarding we saw a video that explains the geography of Kaikoura and the reasons why there is so much marine wildlife to see in the area. Then we got on board the very comfortable boat and we spent 2 hours at sea. It was indeed rough, but it was funny. However a lot of people were suffering from seasickness. Luckily not us ;-)
We spotted 2 sperm whales, fur seals and lot of marine birds. I was a little bit disappointed to only see 2 whales, but this is natural condition and not a zoo, so I think we were lucky to have seen them.
Whale Watch Kaikoura is a well-organized structure with a very friendly and funny staff that give you interesting information about marine mammals.
Definitely something to do in New Zealand!
Claire Bass
High-tech and informative whale watching in comfort!
Traveled: 2008-11-09, Reviewed: 2011-08-09
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Whale Watch Kaikoura is a very slick operation. They use hydrophones to find the whales and this pretty much guarantees sightings - we saw a couple of sperm whales and some dusky dolphins. The nature guides on the boat were extremely knowledgable which really added to the experience - also fascinating to see their videos depicting the whales' underwater living and feeding seascape.
We traveled at high speed for half an hour or so to the spot where the whales were surfacing - the boat is purpose built and comfortable but it did take quite a bit of effort to distract myself from the stomach somersaults! Once the boat slows down you're allowed outside on to the viewing platform which is excellent - plenty of room for everyone to get the photos they want.