1-Hour Guided Whale Watching Premier Tour in Kaikōura
5
1-Hour Guided Whale Watching Premier Tour in Kaikōura
By South Pacific Helicopters
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-100, max of 6 per group
Duration: 1h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
- Private transportation
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
- 623 State Highway 1, Peketā 7374, New Zealand
Pickup details- We have a complimentary shuttle. We collect from your accommodation, Railway Station, Bus Station in Kaikōura.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.Airport pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included airports.- Kaikoura Airport, Kaikoura New Zealand
Port pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included ports.- South Bay Car Park, 103 South Bay Parade, Canterbury 7300, New Zealand
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 61327P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 61327P2
From
$1,250.00
per adult
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 1A flight that showcases the very best of the beautiful coastal town, Kaikōura. Spot the wonderful marine creatures such as whales and dolphins to the towering peaks of the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Fredahills0 contributionsWorthwhile trip.Attention to detail we received before during and after the trip, information we received, flexibility and getting to see a Sperm Whale.Written 12 January 2025
- stevewH2845UT0 contributionsFantastic from start to finishA fantastic experience from check in to the pilot. Very friendly and a special thing to do. A great alternative to spending several hours on a boatWritten 1 December 2024
- andrewtU3111LN0 contributionsIncredibleOne of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. To see a sperm whale in it's natural environment is beyond words and a little emotional. If funds allow go for the helicopter. IncredibleWritten 7 November 2024
- soycarolineward0 contributionsHighly recommended whale watching experienceWhat an amazing experience. Any nervousness I had quickly dissipated once our pilot Dan took off. The entire experience was beyond our wildest dreams. The weather was perfect for whale spotting and a peninsular landing. We were lucky enough to see a 19m sperm whale. Dan's knowledge share was informative and interesting. I would highly recommend this experience and have no hesitation in giving 5 stars.Written 6 November 2024
- 112augied0 contributionsUp close and personal (very personal)!The pilot flew our small group right over a humpback whale that was putting on quite a display trying to impress a female or a male. He/she turned stomach side up on the surface slapping its pectoral fins (arms) on the top of the water. It turned back upright and then did it some more! The helicopter was able to circle over the whale clockwise and then reverse so people on each side of the ‘copter could get clear views and snap some once-in-a-lifetime images. It was a fantastic experience!Written 26 October 2024
- mieyeed0 contributionsAmazing flight over Kaikoura.The flight was awesome. Viewing Kaikoura from the sky was an exceptional experience. We would recommend this highly (pun intended).Written 25 August 2024
- 358leilam0 contributionsMt Fyffe Gin and HelicoptersTruly spectacular trip up to Mt Fyffe hut with Cal from South Pacific Helicopters and Justine from Mt Fyffe Distillery. Incredible views, delicious gin and great hosts! An experience of a lifetime - highly recommend :)Written 29 July 2024
- Curiosity399819871640 contributionsAwesome helicopter flight over whales!Awesome flight, lots of knowledge and love of what they do, 2 whales seen right away meant maximum time over them, pilot and ground crew were all awesome, recommended to anyone.Written 27 June 2024
- Stay148028099550 contributionshighly recommendedThey offers unmatched aerial tours of New Zealand's dramatic landscapes. Experienced pilots guide visitors on thrilling, custom-tailored helicopter excursions, granting access to remote, hard-to-reach destinations and unveiling breathtaking vistas from an unforgettable bird's-eye perspective.Written 1 June 2024
- Cruiser562703071080 contributionsExciting and rewarding family fun!Our pilot, Dan, was friendly, informative and jocular. He made us and our 10 and 6 year old feel happy and at ease about flying in the helicopter. The flight was exciting enough by itself, but actually seeing a young humpback 🐋 whale surfacing several times and spouting water was very special and we are still talking about it now. Our helicopter tour with South Pacific helicopters was worth every cent and we will still be reminiscing about it as a family many years from now, I’m sure. Thank you Dan and your lovely team!Written 16 May 2024
- craigadam20170 contributionsFantastic Heli ExperienceDan took us on an incredible Whale/Dolphin - Heli Hike combo experience. After seeing a sperm whale hanging out and ultimately diving as well as hundred of dolphins on a feeding frenzy, he dropped us off at the Mt Fyffe hut and we hiked 90 minutes to the top. He met us there with an amazing hamper and bottle of champagne. We had the best time!Written 5 April 2024
- patrickfP2885GH0 contributionsBrilliant!I heartily recommend The Ultimate Adventure Tour. Daniel our pilot was knowledgeable, very helpful and the whole experience was quite stunning!Written 22 March 2024
- ruthieb020 contributionsA must doWhat a fantastic experience. Our boat trip was cancelled 2 days running due to high winds and rough seas so we looked for an alternate experience. From booking at the shop in the town to the flight itself, it was excellent. The pilot, Daniel was superb - friendly and informative. He made sure that all of us were given equal opportunities to witness the fin whales and blue whales. Having done whale boat trips previously, this is a completely different experience. Seeing the blue whale from a helicopter gives you a true idea of the scale and beauty of these magnificent creatures. After seeing the whales, we were treated to a huge pod of dusky dolphins. Leaving the sea behind, we flew through the mountains, landing on Mount Fyffe. Here you are afforded great views of the bays below. It was interesting to learn how the landscape was changed following earthquakes and watch red deer run through the mountains. A definite recommendation if you want an experience in Kaikoura.Written 4 March 2024
- Rachel C0 contributionsDon’t hesitate - if you are considering it you can’t afford to not do thisOnce (or twice) in a lifetime experience to see whales from above. Fantastic facility outside of town with super experienced pilot / guide who was great at supporting one of our group with a touch of anxiety. Whole experience was spot on. Don’t hesitate.Written 26 February 2024
- StuartP520 contributionsDo it if you can!If you can afford it, do it! Super professional and willing to delay the flight to boost the chances of a sighting. Plan for delays if you want to help them with this, it's worth it. Absolutely loved it, highly recommended.Written 17 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
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Cock van Roon
12 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Because the whale watching boat trip the previous day was canceled due to bad weather, we looked for an alternative. We found this at South Pacific Helicopters.
We had booked the premier flight. The flight where you look for whales and also land on a mountain.
Partly thanks to the help of the great pilot Dan, one of us, who is in a wheelchair, was able to get into the helicopter. This pilot had indicated when booking that he would make sure this was successful no matter what.
Almost immediately after take-off we spotted a large group of dolphins. The search for the whales took about 45 minutes before we discovered a whale. It is very special to see such a large animal from the air. After this we flew to Mount Fyffe at an altitude of 1600 meters for a landing on top of this mountain. It had snowed the night before, which made it even more spectacular.
All in all, a very special excursion that we will always remember.
We had booked the premier flight. The flight where you look for whales and also land on a mountain.
Partly thanks to the help of the great pilot Dan, one of us, who is in a wheelchair, was able to get into the helicopter. This pilot had indicated when booking that he would make sure this was successful no matter what.
Almost immediately after take-off we spotted a large group of dolphins. The search for the whales took about 45 minutes before we discovered a whale. It is very special to see such a large animal from the air. After this we flew to Mount Fyffe at an altitude of 1600 meters for a landing on top of this mountain. It had snowed the night before, which made it even more spectacular.
All in all, a very special excursion that we will always remember.

Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hartelijk dank dat u de tijd heeft genomen om uw ervaring met ons te delen. Ik ben zo blij om te horen dat je zo'n geweldige tijd hebt gehad en hebt kunnen genieten van het zeeleven van Kaikoura en een sneeuwlanding. Wij waarderen uw beoordeling en hopen dat u geniet van de rest van uw tijd in Nieuw-Zeeland.
Written 29 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kelly T
Napier, New Zealand1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Couples
OMG what can I say about this trip! From the moment of stepping into their Kaikoura office and meeting Monique, I cannot fault them. We were beaked last minute after disappointments at both Franz Josef and on the whale watching boat trip from Kaikoura due to bad weather. With the minimum of fuss Monique had us booked and ready to go on a fabulous trip, Dan was brilliant, welcoming, friendly and informative, making sure we got to see the rare blue whales and taking us on an unforgettable helicopter trip. Thank you all for making our holiday!
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really appreciate you taking the time to leave such great review for South Pacific Helicopters. We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your entire experience and got to witness the whales from above. It's amazing seeing the magnitude of these animals from a whole different perspective. We look forward to having you fly with us again in the future. Thanks again!
Written 29 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robin M
Playa del Carmen, Mexico8 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Our whale watch tour was cancelled the day before due to rough sea conditions and seeing a Sperm whale was on our bucket list. We found South Pacific Helicopter 1 hr whale watching tour and said what the heck we are here and we definitely want to see these giant whales. I am prone to ait sickness but did fine on this tour and we were rewarded with seeing a Sperm whale on the surface for longer than usual. Daniel our pilot was informative and an excellent pilot. After the whale we went into the Kaikoura mountain range for some beautiful scenery rarely seen. The entire trip was spectacular and well worth the cost. Having previously seen whales from boats, the aerial views give you an entirely different perspective. I highly recommend it!
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really appreciate you taking the time to leave a lovely review. So pleased to hear that you not only just seen a whale but were treated to a scenic landing as well! Thanks again for choosing South Pacific Helicopters and we look forward to hopefully flying you again in the future.
Written 25 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter N
5 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
We arrived in Kaikoura at 10pm in the dark on our UK Titan holidays trip all around NZ. Today 25Nov we had a morning whale watching cruise and were lucky to see a sperm whale on the surface and got good photos. The excursion was great BUT after a 10 minute sojourn at the hotel we were collected by South Pacific Helicopters and couriered to the helicopter base. Soon we were in the air and wow just wow how fantastic this experience was. Sliding off over the sea swooping around the sperm whale watching the circling spotter planes ,: this was just something else - a treasure of a lifetime. Then watching swimmers with dusky dolphins and not just a dolphin or two but a pod or two of 100s of dolphins. Then a cliff top landing a flight over Kaikoura the last road and our hotel - magic. My thanks to everyone involved in the company - this has been a holiday of a lifetime and South Pacific Helicopters provided the crowning experience that surely cannot be battered. Thank you so much for being such lovely hosts and giving us such special treatment in. Very safe and friendly way. Absolutely brilliant - do not miss out.
Written 25 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne N
Milwaukee, Wisconsin104 contributions
Jan 2023
This is truly the best way to see the whales and dolphins and our pilot Daniel made it unforgettable We first earned it is less invasive to view the whales this way as you are really not invading their space. Also, we were happy to see that all the pilots and boats shared their spotting so in a helicopter, you could quickly go to the identified spotting. We were able to watch several different sperm whales for a relatively long time before they dove. A bonus was then seeing several orcas eating what looked to be a 12 foot long swordfish. We also saw several pods of dolphins playfully swimming after a Swim With Dolphins boat. Daniel was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and local history. He then took us on an aerial tour of the coast line and of Kaikoura. He set the heli gently down on top of a steep hill for a spectacular view. Daniel seemed genuinely interested in us and gave us some good recommendations. Its a splurge but so worth it!
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Anne, we really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review and share your amazing experience with others online. Sounds like you had one action packed flight! We hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Kiakoura and look forward to having you onboard again in the future.
Written 29 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cruiser51406861353
6 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Brilliant experience from start to finish. The girl in the office when we booked was so friendly & helpful & Daniel, the pilot, gave a personalised service. He genuinely wanted the trip to be a success & was disappointed he couldn't find sperm whales; that's nature for you! Would strongly recommend making a booking if in Kaikoura
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review for South Pacific Helicopters and are sorry to hear you didn't see any whales on your flight. As these are wild animals that are not tracked, unfortunately sightings are not always guaranteed. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your flight anyway. Thanks again for flying with us.
Written 20 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simonthomas171
18 contributions
This was possibly the best experience of our whole holiday in NZ. What a special family firm this is. From the moment we entered the office, having just had our boat trip cancelled, Monique was so helpful and friendly. Her husband, Dan, took the trouble to greet each of us individually, by name. The trip itself was totally awesome (we saw two blue whales and then we only landed on top of a mountain!). Put aside the superlatives, I genuinely cannot recommend this firm and this trip highly enough. A massive thank you to Dan and Monique for providing such a brilliant memory.
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Simon, we are so pleased to have been part of such a special memory for you and your family. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with us and we hope to see you again one day.
Written 29 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynn M
21 contributions
An amazing experience- seeing the whales from up above gives you a whole different perspective on their size and beauty. Dan was fantastic and made you feel very relaxed and safe.
Highly recommend- in fact you would be mad not to do this!
Highly recommend- in fact you would be mad not to do this!
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca U
Mount Pleasant, SC13 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Amazing experience! Wonderful views and opportunity see whales, dolphins, wildlife. Pilot (Daniel) was great. Very committed to ensuring everyone enjoyed the flight and saw what we came for. Would highly recommend if anywhere near Kaikoura!
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, we are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your experience and look forward to having you back on board with South Pacific helicopters in the future.
Written 18 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
_wwhitehouse
Bordeaux, France2 contributions
Saw a whale feeding and dolphin pod, stopped at top of mountain for view and celebratory champagne💖
Truly special experience!!
Truly special experience!!
Written 3 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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