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Kaikoura Whales

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Christchurch, New Zealand
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from $1,566.50 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
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On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.
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3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Soar Above Kaikoura – Whale Watching by Helicopter from Christchurch.
Experience the thrill of flight and the wonder of marine wildlife in one unforgettable journey.
Fly from Christchurch to Kaikoura for a breathtaking adventure with stunning views of the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. The scenic flight shortens travel time, making it perfect for day trips.
Arriving at our beachfront helipad, you’ll join Kaikoura Helicopters Whale Watch for a unique aerial perspective of whales, dolphins, and more.
Why choose helicopter whale watching?
• Spot entire whales and pods of dolphins from above
• Enjoy wide viewing angles and greater coverage
• Capture epic images of marine life and the dramatic coastline
• Watch whales dive and dolphins play beneath you
Complete your trip with a seaside lunch or local wine tasting (optional).
This is more than sightseeing — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature from above.

What's Included

  • Local pilots
  • Live commentary on board
  • Lunch not included in price
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

73 Grays Road
Harewood, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Garden City Helicopters

Check in at reception. You will be given a safety briefing and, meet your pilot. Toilets available before departure.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Christchurch (pass by)

On take off you will have a great birds eye view as you fly north to Kaikoura. See the pristine coastline with magnificent views of the Canterbury Plains and in the distance the spectacular Southern Alps. After landing take to the air with our Kaikoura Helicopters to view the spectacular whales.
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Kaikoura

View the mighty Sperm Whale as he rests on the surface of the ocean, catching his breath in between deep dives foraging for food.Kaikoura is also a migratory route for a variety of different whale and dolphin species such as the Humpback Whale, Blue Whale, Southern Right Whale and Orca, so we never know from flight to flight when we might spot something different!After viewing magnificent marine life, you will fly high above Kaikoura and land amongst the towering Seaward Kaikoura range.From here you will take in some of the most breath-taking views that New Zealand has to offer. (Snow Landings in winter!)With views to the west of the mountainous Seaward Kaikoura Range, east over the Kaikoura township to the iconic Kaikoura Peninsula stretching out like a whale’s fluke and south down a coastline that stretches for miles. On a clear day you can even see the North Island on the horizon!
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Kaikoura

On landing back at Kaikoura after your whale watching flight, there will be time to walk the main street or grab some lunch.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Christchurch (pass by)

Depart Kaikoura to Christchurch.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • ,Please dress appropriately for casual attire
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • We see whales 97% of the time. Occasionally, despite our very best efforts and flight planning, you may not see a whale. This is rare and unfortunate, but can happen. No refund for this instance

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Kaikoura Whales?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-6036P8

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
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4 stars
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3 stars
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On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Kaikoura Whales?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Local pilots.
  • Live commentary on board.
The following is NOT included:
  • Lunch not included in price.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Kaikoura Whales is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Kaikoura Whales will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

Activity name

  • Local pilots
  • Live commentary on board
  • Lunch not included in price

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • All passenger weights MUST be advised at time of booking. You will be weighed at check in
  • ,Please dress appropriately for casual attire
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • We see whales 97% of the time. Occasionally, despite our very best efforts and flight planning, you may not see a whale. This is rare and unfortunate, but can happen. No refund for this instance
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Garden City Helicopters

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We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

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Receive your refund

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The following conditions apply to all lowest price guarantee refund requests:

  • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
  • The lowest price guarantee covers retail and prepaid rates available to the general public. This does not include discounts or promotions you may receive (or be eligible for) from third-party sites or organizations such as AAA or AARP or special offers made as part of a membership program, corporate discount, daily deal, group, or rewards program.
  • Cool Destinations promotions cannot be combined with the lowest price guarantee.
  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on Cool Destinations and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
  • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
  • Cool Destinations reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
  • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of Cool Destinations.
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Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

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  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

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  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
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  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
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