Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated

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Embark on an aerial journey in Kaikoura, where you'll witness majestic sperm whales, playful dolphins, and breathtaking landscapes from the skies. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the wonders of marine life and scenic beauty all in one incredible journey.

Embark on an aerial journey in Kaikoura, where you'll witness majestic sperm whales, playful dolphins, and breathtaking landscapes from the skies. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the wonders of marine life and scenic beauty all in one incredible journey.

Highlights

  • 30+ years of whale watching experience with a 100% safety record
  • Top rated customer reviews
  • Breath-taking Kaikoura Scenery
  • Enjoy informative commentary through listening headsets
  • Community Owed & Operated Organisation
  • Qualmark Silver Award

Experience Kaikoura's most spectacular marine scenic flight with the region's most experienced flight operator!

From the comfort of your window seat, witness the awe-inspiring beauty of whales, dolphins, and breathtaking scenery. Only from the air can you truly grasp the sheer size of the majestic sperm whale in its natural habitat, providing unparalleled photographic opportunities. During our flight, you might also encounter dusky dolphins, humpback whales, blue whales, orca, and other fascinating marine creatures. After the exhilarating whale encounter, we'll take you on a scenic journey over Kaikoura and its stunning surroundings, with the snow-clad peaks of the Kaikoura mountains and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean as an impressive backdrop.

At Air Kaikoura, we're a small, friendly, locally operated business with a passionate team dedicated to providing you with the experience of a lifetime. While we can't guarantee wildlife sightings as we're observing animals in their natural habitat, we boast an impressive 95% success rate and always provide honest assessments of the day's chances for whale sightings.

Our Scenic Whale Watching Flight offers you the best odds of spotting these magnificent creatures from the air.

Adult $275.00

What's included

  • 40 minute scenic flight
  • Guaranteed Window Seat
  • Headsets for Live Commentary

Duration

  • Allow approximately 90 minutes for the whole experience

Location

  • Air Kaikoura is located 6.5km south of Kaikoura township, on State Highway 1
  • We’re located at Kaikoura Airport, about a 10-minute drive south of Kaikoura. When you arrive at the airport, turn right, and you’ll find us in the southernmost building.
  • Free parking is available.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Duration: Flight time 40 minutes. Please allow for 90 minutes total.

    Capacity: Our fixed wing aircraft takes a maximum of seven passengers, this makes it exciting and fun.

    Conditions: Flights are weather dependent and at the pilots' discretion.

    Minimum numbers apply.

    Maximum weights do apply in small aircraft; if you think you may exceed 120kgs, please contact the operator to discuss.

    Check in is 30 minutes prior to your flight time. Flight times may be adjusted to align with whale diving patterns, which can result in earlier departures. If you are not present at the check-in time, the flight may depart without you.

    The activity requires minimum numbers in order to operate

    Flights are weather dependent. A full refund will be given if the flight cannot operate due to poor weather conditions

    While we do everything possible to locate whales, they are wild animals, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. Refunds or rescheduling are not available if whales are not sighted, but were confident youll love the stunning scenery and the unique opportunity to experience Kaikuras incredible landscapes and marine environment from above.

  • Infants-11kg & Under (Sitting on an adults lap). Above this weight will be charged a child price.

Available Bookings from 27 Mar to 9 Apr 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Thu 27 Mar
Fri 28 Mar
Sat 29 Mar
Sun 30 Mar
Mon 31 Mar
Tue 1 Apr
Wed 2 Apr
Thu 3 Apr
Fri 4 Apr
Sat 5 Apr
Sun 6 Apr
Mon 7 Apr
Tue 8 Apr
Wed 9 Apr

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$224.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$224.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$224.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$224.00

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$224.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$224.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$224.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$224.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$185.00

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$224.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$275.00

  • Adult$224.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Adult$195.00

  • Adult$224.00 Less than 6 at this price!
The boats give you an idea just how big the sperm whale is Fantastic experience Super! No whales this time großartiges Erlebnis, das wir nie vergessen werden
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Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.7

771 reviews

Showing all 771 authenticated Bookme reviews

Veronika Blahovská from Slovakia wrote on 12 March 2025

Veronika

Very nice experience. Everything was good and profesional.

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From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated

Thank you for coming to fly with us! So glad you enjoyed your flight

Remko tenBarge from Netherlands wrote on 18 February 2025

Great

Very nice location and team! Great explanation during the flight

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From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated

Thanks for flying with us! I am glad you enjoyed your flight with us.

Helen Murphy from New Zealand wrote on 17 February 2025

Fantastic trip

We had a lovely time- the pilot and ground staff were lovely and friendly and so informative. The pilot gave a brilliant and detailed commentary throughout and seeing a sperm was amazing.

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From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated

Thanks for flying with us! I am glad you enjoyed your flight with us

Angela Armstrong from New Zealand wrote on 14 February 2025

Amazing flight

Alex was our pilot, circled x 2 sperm Whales closely...flew over dolphins, and amazing view of the Kaikouras from up there. Excellent trip thank you.

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From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated

Thanks Angela! I will make sure to pass your kind words onto Alex. Glad you enjoyed your flight and the beautiful kaikoura scenery!

Nicholas Seaman from New Zealand wrote on 11 February 2025

Worthwhile, bird’s eye experience.

Enjoyed being in copilot seat. Good way to ensure see whales. Good commentary and great to experience from air.

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From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated

Thanks for choosing to fly with us! I am glad you enjoyed your flight with us.

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult

*This option must be made together with another price type.
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Qualmark

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Qualmark Gold

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

Qualmark Silver

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

Qualmark Bronze

The Qualmark Bronze award recognizes a business that operates with a high level of professionalism, is mindful of its environmental impact, and is dedicated to putting customers first.

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