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Description

Join South Pacific Whale Watch in Kaikoura for a scenic, whale watching helicopter flight. Whale watching flights provide an amazing opportunity to view the magnificent marine wildlife of Kaikoura from above, specifically the local Sperm Whales and Dusky Dolphins. Your pilot and guide will take a slow orbit around the animals, in a way only a helicopter can, to give exceptional views of the magnificent creatures. As well as the local wildlife it is also common to spot Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Pilot Whales, Southern Bottlenose Dolphins and Blue Whales. If you’re lucky, you may even see Common Dolphins, Hectors Dolphins, Risso's, Southern Right Whale Dolphins and even Orca! On a whale watching flight you can see the whale in its entirety from tip to tail and take in some of NZ's most beautiful coastal shores. Whale watching from the helicopter allows for much better views and photography opportunities. It is also a great solution for those who suffer from seasickness or are traveling with infants.

After the whale watching many of the tours include a landing, allowing you to get out in the mountains at a location only accessible by helicopter where you can take in stunning views of the scenic Kaikoura Mountain Ranges and the Pacific Ocean.  

Whale Watch Ocean Safari (45 mins)

This tour incorporates the Explorer flight with additional time to enjoy the abundant Kaikoura marine life including the playful dusky dolphins and curious New Zealand fur seals. You will also enjoy an exclusive landing overlooking Hikurangi Marine Reserve with unmatched panoramic views of Kaikoura mountain ranges and coastal shores.

Whale Watch Premier (60 mins)

This tour showcases everything the beautiful coastal town of Kaikoura has to offer from marine wildlife to the stunning natural beauty of the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges towering straight out of the Pacific Ocean. Included in this flight is a landing on Mount Fyffe with amazing panoramic views of the Kaikoura Peninsula and surrounding area, with Christchurch and Wellington visible on clear days in the distance and a magical snow landing (seasonal). 

Whale Watch Ultimate (80 mins)

The Ultimate is an incredible experience capturing the best of Kaikoura by air, land and sea!  The tour includes an introduction to Whale Watching and the popular Aftershock Adventure with landings at the newly created Hapuku Dam 'Quake Lake', plus an Alpine landing on the top of Mount Fyffe for incredible views of beautiful Kaikoura and the Pacific Ocean. The Aftershock Adventure shows the power of Kaikoura's 7.8 magnitude earthquake which has carved impressions in the landscape, raising coastal shorelines and impacting the entire mountain range and main highway in the South Island.  You will witness the immense restoration effort by North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) an alliance of local authorities and businesses together repairing the immense damage.

Trip Includes

• Return transfers from the booking office in town to the airport
• Live commentary from your knowledgeable pilot
• 45-80 minute whale watching & scenic flight

Duration

• Allow 30-45 minutes on top of your chosen flight time

Departures

• Departs from Kaikoura Airport (7km out of town)
• Transfers available from town
• 8am-8pm in Summer & 9am-5pm in Winter
• Operates daily all year

Other Information

• Children under 3 years of age & under 16kg travel for free 
• Minimum of two passengers required to confirm booking

Normal Retail Prices

• Whale Watch Ocean Safari (45mins):
  • Adult (7yrs+) NZD$825.00
  • Child (3-6yrs) NZD$825.00
• Whale Watch Premier (60mins):
  • Adult (7yrs+) NZD$1325.00
  • Child (3-6yrs) NZD$1325.00
• Kaikoura Ultimate Adventure (80min):
  • Adult (7yrs+) NZD$1575.00
  • Child (3-6yrs) NZD$1575.00