In 1843, Captain Robert Fyfe built the first shore whaling station near where his house, built in 1860, still stands on its whale bone piles. Today, all marine mammals are protected in New Zealand and the whales are hunted with cameras instead of harpoons.

Kaikoura has deep ocean canyons that provide a home to an exciting array of sea creatures, including the Giant Sperm Whale. Whales live there all year round making this one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

• Depart Christchurch and travel through the beautiful rural pastoral scenes of North Canterbury to Kaikoura where the mountains meet sea

• At Kaikoura, a whale watch cruise or flight is made and you will look out for the majestic Sperm Whales and Dusky Dolphins

• Whale Sightings can also include Southern Right, Humpback, and Pilot whales

• After your cruise or flight, enjoy a café lunch and then experience some local wines at the Kaikoura Winery with its spectacular views of the Kaikoura Peninsula and the Pacific

• Visit the Kaikoura Peninsula where sightings can be made of the NZ Fur Seals

Whale watch cruise highlights…

Whale Watch is New Zealand's only marine-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year. Giant Sperm Whales can grow up to 20 meters and

weigh over 50 tons. These whales can be seen all year round making Kaikoura one of the most popular whale watching locations in the world. In addition to the sperm whale a number of different species of may also be seen, depending on the season, as they follow their migratory route. This unique marine experience also provides an opportunity to sight high-spirited Dusky Dolphins, the rare and endangered Hectors Dolphin, New Zealand Fur Seals and a wide variety of sea birds including the Royal Albatross. Be taken on an unforgettable journey, in purpose built vessels that provides great viewing and photographic opportunities.

Whale watching from the air! In a typical 30 minute flight you will see the majestic Sperm Whale preparing for his next dive and up to 500 Dusky Dolphins cavorting with each other. On occasion sightings include Southern Right, Humpback, Fin, Sei, Brydes, Pilot and Southern Bottlenose. Also Common, Hectors, Rissos and Southern Right Whale Dolphins and of course, Orca, although these are all less frequent visitors to the area.

You may also fly over Kaikoura Peninsula and see evidence of Maori fortifications (Pa sites), New Zealand Fur Seals resting and the Kaikoura township itself. For some, conditions will allow a spectacular flight over the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges rising to approximately 2800m. Wings over Whales provide a comfortable flight with experienced pilots giving an authoritative in-flight commentary, having a sighting rate in excess of 95% for Sperm Whales.

• Travel by deluxe minicoach
• Fully escorted with informative commentary
• Delicious picnic morning and afternoon teas
• Whale watch cruise or flight from Kaikoura
• Cafe lunch in Kaikoura
• Wine tasting at Kaikoura Winery
• Courtesy city hotel / homestay pickup and drop off
• Depart Christchurch at 7.30am and return approximately 5.45pm

• Warm jacket, sunglasses

Their aim is simple…

•  to present our guests with the best possible experience of New Zealand that time will allow.

• to provide magical personal small group and exclusive private tours to show guests the wonders of the South Island.

• to offer tours for those who do not want to be part of large groups or who do not want to self drive, with first class service and the comfort that should be expected.

• taking small groups of independently minded travelers to the heart of what makes New Zealand unique

• designing their tours to encompass those things that make New Zealand truly unique – its ecology and natural history, the Maori mythology and history, the European history and of course, its incredible scenery

• believing in quality over quantity and so accordingly, their tour participation is usually limited to six to eight guests per tour

• providing  a highly personalized, interactive and spontaneous experience

• sharing with their guests the genuine hospitality of real New Zealanders

• priding themselves on their thoroughness, the personal touches and their attention to detail,

• operating the tours as “deluxe safaris”.

Journeys of learning, discovery and adventure.