Kaikoura whale watching trips
| country: | New Zealand |
| location: | South Island |
| price: | From NZ $145 (3 hours) excluding flights. Child price NZ $60 (3-15 years inclusive). |
| more info: | We operate tours every day except Christmas Day. 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. |
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introduction to Kaikoura whale watching trips
In the South Island of New Zealand lies Kaikoura, an area steeped in Maori history and legend. Off the coast of the village is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. Among them the giant Sperm Whale which can grow up to 20 metres in length and has the largest brain of any animal alive. Let us take you on the most breathtaking adventure of a lifetime. Let us take you right into the world of the whales to meet them face to face...
Not only can we introduce you to the magnificent Sperm Whale, but also to migratory Humpback Whales (June & July), Orca (summer months), New Zealand's own tiny Hectors dolphin, the high spirited displays of the Dusky dolphins, New Zealand Fur seals and the Royal Albatross.
There is a high demand for our day tours, therefore advance booking is essential. We recommend 7 - 10 days during the high season (Nov - April) and 3 - 4 days during off peak (May - October).
Every tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's. Kaikoura also attracts 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. If your tour does not see a whale we will refund 80% of your fare.
The actual time on the water is up to 2.5 hours. Including check-in time and transfer by bus, you should allow 3.5 hours in total.
Not only can we introduce you to the magnificent Sperm Whale, but also to migratory Humpback Whales (June & July), Orca (summer months), New Zealand's own tiny Hectors dolphin, the high spirited displays of the Dusky dolphins, New Zealand Fur seals and the Royal Albatross.
There is a high demand for our day tours, therefore advance booking is essential. We recommend 7 - 10 days during the high season (Nov - April) and 3 - 4 days during off peak (May - October).
itinerary
Our whale watching tours operate daily and are dependent upon favourable weather and sea conditions. Designed especially for whale watching, our modern catamarans are equipped with engines that minimise underwater noise and toilets that never pollute the sea. The main passenger cabin is enclosed and outside decks offer great viewing and photo opportunities. Spacious air-conditioned interiors are fitted with comfortable seating while large plasma screens display our award-winning marine wildlife animations.Every tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's. Kaikoura also attracts 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. If your tour does not see a whale we will refund 80% of your fare.
The actual time on the water is up to 2.5 hours. Including check-in time and transfer by bus, you should allow 3.5 hours in total.
award winner
This operator was the overall winner in our 2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Daily Telegraph, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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We are a Maori-owned enterprise. It was started at a time when relationships between Maori and other townspeople were strained. With no prospect of new employment opportunities, the continuing process of economic decline in the town had resulted in Maori youth being the main social casualties.
 The Ngai Tahu tribe knows education is the key to improving the social and economic status of its people. Whale Watch's dividends are dedicated to provision of education and training for both adults and young people. Ngai Tahu's marae (traditional meeting place) at Kaikoura, Takahanga, has been transformed into an education centre in the widest sense. We take people to visit whales in their natural environment - we are visitors to the whales' world and must respect it as such, at all times. Nothing will be done to jeopardize the ecosystem that maintains the whales in their natural environment and keeps them close to Kaikoura. Two internationally recognised and independent research projects have been completed by the Department of Conservation to measure the effect on the whales of our commercial Whale Watching operations. These studies were unable to identify any adverse effect. We constantly monitor and patrol the Kaikoura coastline for any signs of environmental stress or danger to whales which may be caused or triggered by human interference. Detailed records are kept for each trip, covering personalised identification of the whales' location and any unusual behaviour. This information is part of the on-going contribution to scientific research by the company. Some of the sperm whales that visit Kaikoura regularly appear to recognise and trust the Whale Watch boats and do not mind being approached. New whales however, prefer the boats to keep further away. Whale Watch skippers recognise individual whales and adjust operations to suit each whale. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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