Kaikoura is one of the best places in New Zealand to see whales, and it’s the reason many visitors head there. If you’ve read any of my posts on Iceland or Norway, you’ll know I’m hugely passionate about these magnificent mammals, so I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see whales in New Zealand.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know about whale watching in Kaikoura, including the best way to see the whales and how to book your tour.
Why should you go whale watching in Kaikoura?
Kaikoura is known as one of the best places in the world to see whales. It’s also one of the few places where resident sperm whales can be seen all year round.
The underwater landscape in Kaikoura is very unique, which is what attracts all of this unique marine life. Put simply, there’s a deep trench system right off the coast that stretches out into the Pacific Ocean. The trench reaches depths of 1200 metres in places and creates a rich feeding ground for many different species of whales and other marine life. The trench begins less than a mile from shore, meaning you don’t need to travel far to find the whales.
Side note: Even if whale watching isn’t your thing, I’d still highly recommend a visit to Kaikoura. It has a similar vibe to the West Coast on the South Island and almost has a Jurassic feel to it.
It’s one of my favourite places in all of New Zealand.
What whales can you see in Kaikoura?
Kaikoura is a hot spot for marine life, making it great for whale watching. The most sighted species of whale in Kaikoura is the sperm whale, and this is what you’re most likely to see on any whale-watching trip.
The sperm whales in the area are almost all male and tend to live there all year round. The operators focus on finding this whale species as they know the spots where they can be found and can also track them using an underwater hydrophone.
Having said that, there’s still a chance to see other whales in Kaikoura. In fact, there are migratory species that can be seen at various points throughout the year.
For example, humpback whales frequent the area in the winter months as they migrate between the warmer waters of the tropics and the cold waters of Antarctica. June and July are the best months to see humpback whales in Kaikoura.
It’s also possible to see orcas in Kaikoura, although you have to be very lucky. December to March is the best time to see orcas, but they tend to make up their own rules and can appear at any time. I tried several times to see orcas in New Zealand but had no luck.
Other migratory species sighted in Kaikoura include the elusive blue whale, southern right whales, and pilot whales. You can also regularly see and swim with dusky dolphins in Kaikoura.
Kaikoura truly is a hot spot for whales.
When is the best time to whale watch in Kaikoura?
Sperm whales live in Kaikoura all year round, so there’s not really a “best” time for whale watching. You can go out throughout the year to see the sperm whales.
Having said that, migratory species such as orcas and humpbacks can be seen at certain times of the year. To see humpback whales, you’ll need to visit between June and August. For Orcas, December to March tends to be the best time, but it’s never guaranteed with orcas.
I personally wouldn’t stress too much about going at a particular time. The tour operators generally focus on sperm whales, so there is no guarantee you’ll see any other species. I went during peak humpback season and only saw sperm whales (no complaints from me!).
In terms of the best time of day for whale watching, the mornings typically offer calmer conditions.
How to see whales in Kaikoura
Okay, now for the reason you’re here… how to go whale watching in Kaikoura. Thankfully, there’s very little you must do to see the whales other than book an activity and hope for the best. I’ve listed several ways you can spot the whales in Kaikoura below.
Whale watching boat trip
A boat trip is the most common way to see whales in Kaikoura. There’s only one whale-watching boat operator in Kaikoura, Whale Watch Kaikoura, which has been operating since 1989.
The company uses purpose-built boats to take passengers out searching for whales. Once out in the ocean, they’ll use an underwater hydrophone to listen out for signs of the sperm whales to check they’re in the right place. The resident sperm whales tend to stay in the same area, so the company have a high sighting success rate.
We were lucky enough to see three sperm whales the day we went. I’ve written about my experience with Whale Watch Kaikoura.
Prices start from $175NZD, but various offers and discounts are available throughout the year. There’s also a tour that includes transport from Christchurch.
Whale watching flight
In my opinion, a whale watching flight is the BEST way to see whales in Kaikoura.
There are only a few places in the world where you can see these gentle giants from above. Thankfully, the operators in Kaikoura make whale watching from the air easy and stress-free.
I booked a flight at the very last minute (20 minutes before). I had just gotten off the boat and decided to do the flight – it was now or never. I’m SO thankful that I did. It was such an incredible experience.
The flight takes you out over the ocean to search for whales. During our flight, we saw two sperm whales and spent time circling both. After this, our pilot took us for a scenic flight up the peninsula. It was worth every penny, and I can’t recommend it enough.
If you’ve gone whale watching by boat before, I highly recommend opting for the flight in Kaikoura.
I’d recommend going with Wings over Whales, the exact company I booked with. They work closely with the boats in the area to help find the whales. Another option is this forty-minute flight.
If you’d like to do a helicopter instead, check out South Pacific Helicopters. I’m not sure there’s too much difference, other than the helicopter can hover in one spot.
Go kayaking
Kayaking is one of the best things to do in Kaikoura. The chances of seeing whales aren’t great, but it can and does happen. If you’ve seen the videos of orcas in New Zealand surrounding yellow kayaks, this is where it happened.
Kaikoura Kayaks offers half-day kayaking tours where you paddle out to see the seals, and also search for dolphins. If the weather and ocean conditions are in your favour, you may get the chance to paddle further out to sea – this is your chance to encounter a whale.
I loved sea kayaking in Kaikoura. Even though the chance of seeing whales is low, it’s still fun. Plus, the Kaikoura coastline is absolutely stunning.
I asked our guide how many times they encounter whales, and he said it can vary. Sometimes, they see them once or twice a week, and other times, they go a few days, if not weeks, without seeing them. They encounter dolphins more often than not, however.
The kayaks are all two-seaters, and you’ll be given the necessary equipment, including waterproofs for the activity. We went out into the ocean but weren’t lucky enough to see whales or dolphins, but we did get up close and personal with some seals.
From land
It’s quite tricky to see whales from land, but it’s worth trying.
A popular spot for whale and dolphin spotting is on the road as you drive south out of Kaikoura. There are several places to pull over, including Seals Point, which gives you the best chance.
It needs to be high tide to see them, so try and time your journey with this.
It’s rare to see whales from land, but that’s not to say it’s impossible. Plus, it’s quite common to see playful dolphins.
The best way to see whales
The best way to see whales in Kaikoura is to go on a whale watching boat tour or whale watching flight.
As someone who has gone whale watching all over the world, my personal choice would be to take a flight! It’s not very often that you can see these incredible creatures from the air, and it really shows off their true size.
If you’ve never been whale watching before, it would be best to go with the boat. Nothing quite beats standing beside them and hearing their sounds for your first encounter.
The boat tour is also a lot longer, giving you more chances of seeing them.
If you also plan to swim with dolphins in Kaikoura, you’ll unlikely see the whales. The staff can’t let you in the water with the whales, so they try to avoid them. They also don’t have a whale-watching licence, so they can’t stop to look at them.
Are you guaranteed to see whales?
You’re never guaranteed to see whales on any whale watching trip.
The whales are wild animals and can come and go as they please. The operators always do their best to find the whales and work together to have the best success. As the sperm whales are residents, the crew also knows where they like to frequent, which increases the chance of finding whales. Despite this, it’s never guaranteed.
How to get to Kaikoura
Kaikoura is about 111 miles (180km) north of Christchurch. It takes around two and a half hours to drive there. The road is relatively easy, but there is a section of windy and steep roads.
If you don’t fancy doing the drive, InterCity runs a bus from Christchurch to Kaikoura.
There’s also a whale watching tour that includes your transport from Christchurch.
Where to stay in Kaikoura
If you’re travelling with a campervan or motorhome, there are a couple of freedom camping spots in the town that can be found on CamperMate.
However, the area isn’t overly friendly to freedom campers and has tough restrictions. For paid camping, I’d highly recommend Top 10 Kaikoura. It’s a great spot close to the beach and has a few facilities.
For backpackers, check out the Dusky Lodge Hostel. It’s an excellent hostel with a good kitchen and clean facilities. I found it social but not too loud or chaotic.
Kaikoura Seaside Lodge is a fantastic option for those looking for more privacy.
For other places to stay, check out booking.com.
Check out my Kaikoura travel guide for more recommendations on things to do, where to stay and where to eat.
