Kaikoura Tours, Tickets & Excursions

Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a Kaikoura whale-watching cruise. Look for impressive sperm whales along with migrating humpbacks and southern right whales, and search the waters for orcas and other dolphins as an experienced guide shares informative commentary. Visit a New Zealand fur seal colony on land, glimpse the snowy peaks of the Kaikoura Ranges and top off your full-day tour with a wine-tasting in North Canterbury. Includes optional lunch, with round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch to the picturesque town of Kaikoura.

The best way to see Kaikoura's World Famous Sperm Whales and Marine Life - Make your trip to New Zealand one to remember with a Whale Watching Flight. Depart from Kaikoura Airport on a trip to view the mighty Sperm whales in their natural environment - from the air you'll have the best view getting to fully appreciate the size of these majestic animals. Air Kaikoura's friendly team have been operating Whale Watching Flights for 30+ years, so you can trust you're getting the most quality experience out there. While on your Whale Watching flight get to appreciate the beauty Kaikoura has to offer from the air - enjoy picturesque views of the dramatic mountains that meet the vibrant turquoise seas. Get to enjoy all of Kaikoura's famous marine life from a 40 minute flight, some things you can potentially see: Sperm Whales, Dusky Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales and Orca.

Be enchanted on a Kaikoura dolphin swim during a 12-hour day trip from Christchurch. Travel via the rolling hills of North Canterbury to the rugged Kaikoura coastline, a whale-watching paradise where you’ll board a sightseeing boat and dive into the Pacific Ocean with a provided wetsuit and snorkel. Swim alongside dusky dolphins in their natural habitat and learn from your guide how to encourage interaction with one of nature’s most graceful and curious sea mammals.

Take off and within minutes view the mighty sperm whales. Climb high above Kaikōura to land among the rugged Seaward Kaikōura Ranges to enjoy views of the ranges, flats and peninsula. See the different colors of water along the coastline. Weather permitting, fly to the head of the Kowhai River to see the effects of the 2016 earthquake.

Explore the Kaikoura coast on a hands-free kayak tour with an experienced guide. Use your feet to pedal your boat, so your hands are free to snap photos of New Zealand fur seals and the scenic shoreline. Choose one of three kayak tours: follow a route to the best spots for viewing seals, penguins and albatross, watch a New Zealand sunset on the water, or opt for a shorter, little-kid friendly spin along the coast. Encounter the South Island’s distinctive wildlife up close in a natural environment that’s unforgettably beautiful.

Get up close to some of Kaikoura’s beautiful wildlife on this private 3.5-hour kayaking tour. You’re guaranteed to see fur seals and there’s a good chance of seeing other wildlife, too. Paddle alongside fur seals as they hunt and play, look out for dusky dolphins and blue penguins, and admire the views of the beautiful Kaikoura coastline and mountains beyond.

Kaikoura's Original Kayak Operator - Est 1998 100% guaranteed to view Fur Seals on all tours. Family Friendly - operating year round. New Zealands only Sea Kayak operator that holds a marine mammal permit to view Whales. Kaikoura's only Kayak operator that holds a marine mammal permit to view Dolphins, Seals and Whales. New Zealands 1st Friend of the Sea sustainable operator for Dolphin and Whale viewing. Traditional double sea kayaks with cockpits and spray skirts for a dry ride and rudders for easy steering. Qulified New Zealand guides. The Sunset Evening Kayaking tour is the real deal!

Spend quality time with a wooly llama on New Zealand's rugged Kaikōura Coast. Trek with your own llama, who can carry your belongings in saddle bags. Your guide will help you get to know your wooly companion. Learn Kaikōura history and facts, including the extraordinary effects of the 2016 earthquake, as you trek along Kaikōura's coastlines and beaches. Take in mountain and coastal scenery throughout.

Lift off on a scenic helicopter tour to view New Zealand’s Kaikoura coast, offering a unique, uninterrupted vantage point of magnificent marine mammals, including sperm, blue, and humpback whales. Kaikoura is home to both resident and transient sperm whales, which are routinely found close to the coast. You’ll be equipped with a headset with a microphone so you can hear commentary and ask questions.

Enjoy a 1hr Taster Llama Trek - along the Kowhai River banks and riverbed. Surrounded throughout by protected native woodland, and abundant wildlife.

Skirt the Kaikōura Peninsula, before climbing over 8000 feet into the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges where you get to experience the vast, rugged mountain ranges and seaward views. Take the opportunity to stand on the highest mountain outside of the Southern Alps and soak in the magnificent views of the East Coast of the South Island and Pacific Ocean.

This tour is perfect for a romantic getaway, family adventure or group of friends. We are sure that you will enjoy this unique experience and remember it forever. Fly with Kaikoura Helicopters and enjoy a delicious picnic at altitude amongst the stunning Kaikoura Seaward Ranges with 360-degree views of this unique and rugged coastline. The pilot will choose the best location on the day, where weather conditions are best and the views are finest. After a scenic flight around the lower levels of the seaward Kaikoura ranges, land at a secluded landing site. Our picnic offers spectacular views of the Kaikoura township and Peninsula. On a fine day, you can look North along the coastline to spot Wellington and South to Banks Peninsula.

Take in aerial views of the home of one of the world's largest marine mammals on this scenic helicopter flight in Kaikōura. Search for sperm whales, dolphins and have a better chance at seeing baleen whales. Get panoramic views of the South Island's rugged east coast. See whales feeding further offshore, away from the tourist boats.

Enjoy a 25 minute panoramic scenic flight, with stunning scenic views of the Seaward Kaikoura ranges and a birds eye view of the Kaikoura Peninsula. After take-off, we will climb to approximately 6000 feet to fly past the back of Mount Fyffe for some true mountain flying. Experience views of snowy mountain peaks, a waterfalls or a wild deer if you have sharp vision. Next, overfly Lake Hapuku, which is a direct result of the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Your pilot will then descend towards the Hapuku river mouth and fly along the black sand beach towards the Kaikoura peninsula. Flying around the peninsula, you get to see that it is dotted with resident seals next to the turquoise ocean.

You’re going to love how easy it is to kayak in and around the beautiful Kaikōura Peninsula using the Hobie Mirage Drive Pedal. We have a 100% success rate of viewing the New Zealand Fur Seal. There is also a lot of other marine life to view such as the blue penguin, albatross, and plenty more. Come and capture some moments with the fun and friendly fur seals playing around and under your hands-free pedal kayak in New Zealand. The kayaks we use are made by Hobie Cat, one of the leading boating and kayak companies in the world. Explore with family and friends by booking one of our New Zealand sea kayak adventures!

Experience the exhilaration of flying a helicopter in the capable hands of a professional instructor. This unique experience is only available in our region with us.

Helicopters depart from our centrally located beach front helipads, lifting off on your scenic helicopter tour to view the Kaikoura Coast. Experience a birds eye view of the dramatic landscape .Allowing for great photo opportunities. Travel up the stunning Hurunui River gorge on a 30 minute return trip with Energy Jet On completion of your jet boat experience, board your helicopter for the return flight north via the Hurunui river mouth and along the coast to Kaikoura.

Experience the true beauty of Kaikoura and mountain top experience without the 4 hour hike. On a clear day the view stretches from the North Island to Banks Peninsula. During Winter there is often an abundance of snow to play in, take pictures and build a snowman!

Enjoy a two-for-one helicopter and ATV quad bike adventure on the Kaikōura coast. Fly down the East Coast before landing atop a hill, taking in panoramic views of the ocean and coastline. Get ready for adventure as you track up and down hills, along the coastline and the middle of a river on your ATV. Ride to the Haumuri Bluffs and Spyglass Point for more adventure and rugged scenery.