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Kaikoura Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Kaikoura Cruises & boat tours

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Cruise

1. Kaikoura: Whale Watching Cruise

Take a whale-watching cruise off the Kaikoura coast, and see giant sperm whales in their natural environment. Enjoy onboard commentary as you encounter a range of wildlife, including fur seals, pods of dolphins, and the endangered wandering albatross. Set sail on a catamaran, equipped with engines that minimize underwater noise and nonpolluting toilets. Take in the views from the large outdoor decks or stay inside the air-conditioned interiors with comfortable seating and plasma screens displaying marine wildlife animations. Gain an insight into the habitat with scientific information and indigenous knowledge about these creatures from the crew. Passenger numbers are kept well below the vessel's capacity to ensure a more personal experience.

Kaikoura: Dolphin Encounter Cruise

2. Kaikoura: Dolphin Encounter Cruise

Cruise along the scenic Kaikoura coast as you watch for dolphins. During the cruise, you'll be able to swim with the dolphins in their natural habitat or watch their antics from the comfort of the boat. Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world to encounter the Dusky Dolphins in their natural environment. The Dusky Dolphins are some of the most interactive and acrobatic species of dolphins, making them thrilling to watch and interact with. 

Kaikoura: 2.5-hour Albatross Encounter and Wildlife Cruise

3. Kaikoura: 2.5-hour Albatross Encounter and Wildlife Cruise

Enjoy this once in a lifetime bird watching experience just 15 minutes of the coast of Kaikoura. Within just a small area, meet one of the greatest varieties of seabirds and pelagic bird life you'll find anywhere in the world. Up to 12 species of albatross alone can be viewed at various times of the year. Equip yourself with your bird identification list, your expert local guide and driver will take you on a journey from the Port out into the open ocean. Enjoy the opportunity to watch the birds come in close to the boat for a unique feeding experience. Throughout the tour, your guide will take you to various different spots to ensure you see as many species as possible. As you make your way back to Kaikoura, come in close to the shore and marvel at the picturesque New Zealand coastline. If you’re lucky, you will have an opportunity to see beautiful fur seals basking in the sunshine.

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What people are saying about Kaikoura

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 9 reviews

A great few hours whale watching where we saw Sperm Whales , which was fantastic. The speed of the Catamarran was amazing and really takes your breath away , especially if you are up front and the captain needs to manoeuvre to where the whales are. The crew on the boat are very professional , informative and helpful. My only criticism is that we had tickets for 07:15, so an early start. We were told to be at our booking for 06:55 , which we were. But you then hang about till 07:45 waiting to be taken to the boats 10 mins away. This part really needs better organising. Overall though a very worthwhile trip

We don’t have enough superlatives : speed whale twice, dolphins swimming with us along and under the boat, and a seal colony up close. Great guide through it all. One of our 5 top adventures in this beauty of a country.

Very comfortable vessel with excellent helpful staff. Very informative and entertaining. They have a good indepth knowledge of the wildlife and how to locate the whales

Excellent staff on board. Very insightful trip. Very health and safety conscious. Saw three Whales and several Dolphins. The trip was good value for the money spent.

Fayne on the boat was extremely helpful to me and made the dolphin encounter possible to me.