Kaikoura Helicopters Ltd
Kaikoura Helicopters Ltd
4.5
Helicopter ToursSightseeing ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife ToursAir Tours
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Kaikoura is world renowned for its whale watching – it also boasts some of the most spectacular scenery New Zealand has to offer. Helping you experience this is Kaikoura Helicopters, the most experienced aerial whale watching company in the world. We can have you lifting off from our centrally located heli – pads and within minutes be in the spectacular environment that plays host to the magnificent Sperm Whale. From the comfort of our helicopter, experience this ultimate vantage point, viewing the entire whale from head to tail. Our exclusive alpine flights allow you to get up close and personal with some of the highest mountains in New Zealand. Land at altitude amongst the stunning Kaikoura Seaward Ranges and encounter 360 - degree views of this unique and rugged coastline. We also offer scenic flights, Seasonal snow landings, heli picnics, heli rafting, heli biking, charters, nationwide transfers, weddings, hunting, film and photography, gift vouchers, and more! Flying everyday!
Kaikoura, New Zealand
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Tours and Tickets by Kaikoura Helicopters Ltd
Travellers talk about
(15 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
178 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
15
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
4

911bernadettek
Auckland Central, New Zealand2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Arron thank you. You made the trip magic from start to finish, from your commentary to your amazing gift of spotting :)
Arron, went above and beyond the call of duty to making sure that we had the best experience ever.
Professional, knowledgeable and an absolute 'good bugger'
Bernadette, Shea.Molly, Lulu, Daisy.
Written 6 October 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.

Wanderer27536994447
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
We had an amazing sunny afternoon flight with Aaron. Thanks to Aaron’s flexibility we started an afternoon earlier to use the incredible weather. Spotted a Sperm Whale, a huge group of dolphins and seals sleeping on the coastal rocks. Great experience, thank you so much for this excellent whale experience :)
Written 24 May 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.

James S
Adelaide, Australia453 contributions
Apr 2023
We were so well informed before the trip and then the trip was brilliant. We managed to circle over a massive sperm whale before it dived and then found a massive pod of performing dusky dolphins- it truly is a magical experience. The chopper is so comfortable and the pilot really friendly and informative
Written 6 May 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.

Helena F
5 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Absolutely fantastic experience flying a helicopter! Aaron was friendly, clear and incredibly knowledgeable. We saw loads of dolphins, seals and even a blue whale! Perfect Birthday present and once in a lifetime activity.
Written 14 April 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.

Vanessa
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Couples
Amazing experience! We saw a sperm whale, a group of about 200 dolphins and a seal colony. Couldn’t be any better!
Written 7 March 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.
Kaikoura H
Wow what a great day for you to see all our wonderful wildlife. Please share your images on our social pages #kaikourahelicopters
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Alwynyddraig
12 contributions
Feb 2023
As first time helicopter passengers this trip far exceeded our expectations! From the start Aaron was professional, knowledgable and reassuring. The flight was smooth and right on time for the sperm whale to be seen on the surface - a real highlght of our holiday in New Zealand. Thank you
Written 22 February 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.
Kaikoura H
Glad to read that you had a whale of a time on your first ever helicopter experience. Please share your images on our social pages #kaikourahelicopters
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jenny R
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK8 contributions
We had a wonderful flight with Kiakoura Helicopters - it was one of the highlights of our trip. The pilot certainly knew his stuff - which wales were in the area and when they were likely to break surface. Couldn’t have asked for more. We both absolutely loved it and ticked two things off our bucket lists - a helicopter flight and seeing a whale in its natural surroundings. Thank you so much!
Written 18 February 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.
Kaikoura H
Thank you for your wonderful review. Please do share your images on our social pages, we would love to see your memories captured with #kaikourahelicopters
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Spencer NJW
Singapore, Singapore7 contributions
Booked late the night before and managed to get a slot the next morning. We understand that whale watching is weather permitting and depends on a little luck as well so we had fingers crossed.

The next morning, reached at the mentioned time but it was closed. Turns out I had missed multiple calls from the office informing me that my flight was delayed. Robin was extremely professional and apologetic even though she tried multiple times to reach me.

Aaron the pilot was very professional. He rushed straight back from another flight and met with us. There in the office we planned the best time to see a whale which had been spotted. I love the professionalism and the way they liaised with different operators just to maximise the chance of catching a whale.

We saw the whale, dolphins pods, seals and an unmatched view of Kaikoura. Will definitely return again!
Written 27 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.
Kaikoura H
We are glad you got to experience the best whale watching in Kaikoura with us. Please do share your images on our social pages, we would love to see your memories captured with #kaikourahelicopters
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Trisha C
Brisbane, Australia7 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
The flight was amazing and they went out of their way to accommodate us when the weather turned bad. An experience my son will never forget.
Written 16 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.
Kaikoura H
What a fantastic gift to give your son, to experience what it is like to take to the controls of a helicopter. Please do share your images on our social pages #kaikourahelicopters
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

chng
Singapore, Singapore12 contributions
Dec 2022
- friendly, knowledgeable staffs. They had communications with the boats to have information and where the whales are located
- 30mins ride may not be sufficient especially if you are taking the 1st flight out to the ocean in the morning. Additional 10 or 15mins cost extra. Sperm whale will comes up about every 45mins.
- get to see the puff of the whale without getting seasick.
Written 27 December 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.
Kaikoura H
Thanks for the review! Glad you had a great trip.
Written 9 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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