Albatross Encounter
Albatross Encounter
5
Boat ToursEco ToursNature & Wildlife ToursPhotography Tours
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world to see a variety of albatross close to shore! Get up close and personal to the largest wingspan in the world - the wandering albatross. Scenic boat tours to visit the majestic pelagic birds that frequent the Kaikoura coastline.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
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Albatross Encounter
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5.0
213 reviews
Excellent
194
Very good
15
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Itsmeagain2
Tonbridge, UK1,439 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Heading out in a smallish boat at first light to a point 3 miles from shore and then a basket of liver is floated off the back of the boat and you watch. Our guide knew his stuff about birds and so did one of our fellow guests, someone nationally important in NZ birding circles it turned out.
With only six of us plus our guide on board it was a very pleasant trip and seeing the magnificent albatrosses so close was just amazing! Four species of albatross, three of petrel, Hutton’s Shearwater.
A Blue Shark pitched up to try to get a share of the liver. We also saw NZ Fur Seals and a Little Blue Penguin.
We did take precautionary motion sickness tablets before setting out as we didn’t want that to spoil our day.
With only six of us plus our guide on board it was a very pleasant trip and seeing the magnificent albatrosses so close was just amazing! Four species of albatross, three of petrel, Hutton’s Shearwater.
A Blue Shark pitched up to try to get a share of the liver. We also saw NZ Fur Seals and a Little Blue Penguin.
We did take precautionary motion sickness tablets before setting out as we didn’t want that to spoil our day.
Written 15 February 2020
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.
Sarah McC
Friday Harbor, WA19 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This is one of the coolest things we’ve done in our three months so far in New Zealand, if not our lives!!! We took the early morning trip and enjoyed the sunrise from the water just as we stopped for our first encounter location. This is such a great opportunity to see so many pelagic species relatively close to shore....the albatrosses are even more impressive close up. Make sure to bring short lenses, I had a 80-400mm which was great for birds in flight and the occasional beauty shot of birds on the water, but my 35mm fixed was perfect for capturing the action.... they really are that close! The small group size on the boat (eight adults) was intimate and allowed everyone space at the rail, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions. In addition to all of the bird species, we got bonus species: dusky dolphins, a blue shark, and fur seals! Shout out to Tracy, naturalist and skipper extraordinaire. Her commentary was well balanced, educational, and relevant and she was an incredibly competent and safe skipper. The tea and biscuits were a great treat too! We cannot recommend this experience enough. Just do it, you won’t regret it.
Written 4 March 2020
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.
rosemary g
London, UK7 contributions
Nov 2019
This was a truly amazing wildlife experience even though we had to return early due to suddenly windy conditions ( we were given a part refund on return.) All very well organised. We left promptly on a 9 am booking and once a fair way out, Gary dropped some bait and Albatrosses and Giant Petrels suddenly arrived. The boat is quite small and fast so our group numbered about ten. If, like me, you want to photograph the birds, position yourself at the far end of the boat so people don't obstruct your panning action and take a lens cloth or a chamoix to wipe the spray off your equipment. The birds come right up to the boat so a zoom lens is useful for both close shots and flight shots. Gary was an excellent skipper and very knowledgable about the seabirds and marine life.
Take some sea sickness pills well beforehand if it looks like it's going to be bit choppy and you suffer from sea sickness. There are plenty of buckets to throw up in if it gets really rough! Had I been staying longer in the area, I would certainly have gone on this trip again.
Take some sea sickness pills well beforehand if it looks like it's going to be bit choppy and you suffer from sea sickness. There are plenty of buckets to throw up in if it gets really rough! Had I been staying longer in the area, I would certainly have gone on this trip again.
Written 10 January 2020
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.
Sunny_JLa
Harringay, UK278 contributions
Mar 2020
Out into the sea on a small boat, we were looked after by the wonderful guide Gary and saw many albatrosses but also other birds such as sea vultures and gulls. It's really spectacular to see these huge birds fly then 'land' on the water. They get very close to the boat to fight over the bait thrown by Gary into the water. He is able to identify a few of the individual birds which he has looked after during bird-saving operations and his passion and knowledge of the birds was really inspiring! Beware of seasickness though, the day we took the tour the sea was quite choppy and a few people on the boat felt unwell.
Written 12 March 2020
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.
Stephen M
Turku, Finland16 contributions
Jan 2020
The trip provides close-up vews of seabirds which typically can only be glimpsed at a distance from on shore. This is achieved by 'chumming', that is, tossing fish scraps over the stern while stopping at strategic locations off the Kaikoura coast. The guide, Tracy explained that the seas have been over-fished so providing scraps helps to sustain populations which are already drastically reduced by human activity (and the birds are accustomed to such feeding from fishing boats).
Tracy expertly identified the birds which included several species of petrels and shearwaters as well as albatrosses, and explained some aspects of their lives.
Built for speed, the boat wallows about while stationary so it is worth taking a seasickness tablet beforehand even if the weather is fine. There is a pleasant cafe at the tour headquaerters (which also provides whalewatching and other tours).
Tracy expertly identified the birds which included several species of petrels and shearwaters as well as albatrosses, and explained some aspects of their lives.
Built for speed, the boat wallows about while stationary so it is worth taking a seasickness tablet beforehand even if the weather is fine. There is a pleasant cafe at the tour headquaerters (which also provides whalewatching and other tours).
Written 7 April 2020
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.
Judith V
Brighton and Hove, UK35 contributions
Feb 2020
A little boat with about 10 of us onboard in a choppy sea (stugeron saved the day!), we had an amazing time. Our skipper was passionate about the bird life we saw and was happy to answer all our questions. The alabatrosses were awe inspiring but so too were the other birds - including petrels, shearwaters, terns and gulls.
Written 20 April 2020
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 for your review Judith lovely to hear that the birds touched your soul like they do ours! :-)
Written 5 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Salley J
Brookhaven, GA35 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
After swimming with the dolphins I highly recommend you go on the Albatross encounter to see these beautiful birds that are the largest in the world. More than one variety. Our guide was passionate about these beautiful creatures and very knowledgeable. She was great.
Written 18 January 2020
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.
Henro2010
Nelson, New Zealand102 contributions
Jul 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed our morning out on the water. Good sightings and a knowledgeable skipper/guide made for a great package. Weather and conditions will always be a gamble, we were lucky to have a good day and some nice light for photos. Upside of the lower tourist numbers at the moment is a more intimate experience, so thanks to the Encounter team for being prepared to run this trip with minimal passengers. Thoroughly recommended.
Written 2 August 2020
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.
Our absolute pleasure! Thanks for choosing to join us aboard! :-)
Written 5 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ROSSHX
Melton Constable, UK106 contributions
Feb 2020
A fantastic wildlife experience, you see the albatross really close up, 4 species seen, along with petrels, gannet, yellow eyed penguin, shags, gulls, terns and seals. Gary the skipper was fantastic, so helpful and enthusiastic. We also saw lots of Dusky Dolphins, leaping out of the water. The views of the harbour and mountains beyond were to die for too. The staff at the centre were fantastic too. Not to be missed.
Written 23 February 2020
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.
Dona S
Porirua, New Zealand852 contributions
Apr 2022
What a fabulous experience, even on a fairly choppy day. We were so impressed with Gary, our guide, who handled the choppy seas with great skill, and imparted lots of knowledge along the way. We had the tour all to ourselves which was a treat. Saw wandering and shy albatross, giant petrels, cape petrels, gulls, shearwaters and terns - and on the way back we came across a huge pod of common and Hectors dolphins, which was an ideal finish to a great day. Definitely on the list to do again - on a calm day!
Written 14 April 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.
Thanks so much for taking the time to post your review Dona. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your adventure with Gary and the sea birds that frequent Kaikoura and we look forward to welcoming your back again next time you visit! :-)
Written 5 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I’m a wildlife photographer considering a trip to Kaikoura primarily to photo Albortross in July but flexible when is the best month to see them with your tour please
Written 8 June 2019
Hi we visited Kaikoura in March and had a lovely time. The albatross encounter was wonderful and would give you great photo opportunities; however, the one negative factor was the choppy water that we found quite nauseating (although I'm not normally a seasickness sufferer). Given that March is early Autumn, I'm guessing that sea conditions in July would be more challenging.
Written 8 June 2019
Hi, will it be possible to see albatross end of September/early October? We have some overseas guests in Canterbury for a short time who are very interested in the Albatross Encounter. Thanks for replying.
Valerie
Written 29 August 2015
Hi Valerie
Thank you for your enquiry. Yes absolutely subject to weather we are scheduled to run our Albatross Encounter twice daily at 9am and 1pm. Whilst we can't guarantee albatross sighting, we are very fortunate to have had a success rate of over 97% on our tours. We'd love to welcome your guests aboard! :-)
Kind regards, Helene
Customer Service Manager
Written 29 August 2015
We are staying at top 10 van park, no car, 5 people.
How to get to seafood BBq?
What else from there
Written 8 February 2015
The seafood BBQ caravan is located on Fyffe Quay which is roughly a 30 minute walk from the Top 10 Holiday Park on the way to the Seal Colony (5 minute walk up from BBQ at the end of the peninsula). You should be able to pick up a map at the park reception or the i-site in the town centre to help locate. There is also a great walk around the end of the peninsula, starting at the seal colony, that take roughly 2.5 - 3 hours that loops back around into town. This is shown on the town map that you can pick up at the i-site which you pass on on the way to the BBQ.
Written 9 February 2015
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