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All 36 Kaikoura Attractions »

Whale Watch

Railway Station Road, Kaikoura, New Zealand
+64 3 319 6767
Ranked #7 of 19 tours in Kaikoura
4.0 of 5 stars 198 Reviews
Type: Tours, Water Sports
Owner description: "THE ULTIMATE MARINE EXPERIENCE" Whale Watch is New Zealand's only marine based Whale watching company offering exciting up-close encounters with the...... more » Owner description: "THE ULTIMATE MARINE EXPERIENCE" Whale Watch is New Zealand's only marine based Whale watching company offering exciting up-close encounters with the world's largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year, we cannot guarantee whale sightings but have a 95% success rate which means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Bathroom facilities, Stairs / lift
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198 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    43
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Date Rating
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

On a lovely Autumn sunny day the fab crew on Whale watch Kaikoura did their very best to land us up close and personal views of 5 whales. This is pretty exceptional, some days you are lucky to see one but our crew went all out to find them and they succeeded, just for us. We had close encounters with... More

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Auckland
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

The Whale Watch experience is a must do in Kaikoura and the reason for our drive down this part of the coast (plus buying a crayfish from a road side caravan). We went out in ideal conditions on a well maintained boat with a helpful and informative crew and saw so much wildlife I have forgotten what half of it... More

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Hue
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

I would say if your going to Kaikoura, then a whale trip is a must. It is really special seeing the whales in their natural environment. However, the sperm whales are a little wooden, they just bob up and down like a log in the water, then dive down to the depths of the ocean. If you wish to do... More

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Camberley
Top Contributor
95 reviews 95 reviews
Reviews in 48 cities Reviews in 48 cities
40 helpful votes 40 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2012

This is not a review of the actual cruise experience because we chose not to go. We called at there office, not certain what the cruise involved and whether we wanted to go. The woman on reception could not have been more unhelpful or unpleasant if she tried. We got the impression that as they are a monopoly her attitude... More

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See 4 more reviews by quin88 for Kaikoura
Lisa Bond, Manager at Whale Watch, responded to this review
10 May 2012

Kia Ora Thank you for your comments, here at Whale Watch Kaikoura we pride ourselves on delivering a high level of customer service to all our guests, at all times as should be expected from a leading tourism operation, we apologise that on this occasion the service provided to you feel well below what should be expected and actually resulted... More

Marion, Arkansas
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2012

The whale watch cruise is highly recommended. The crew is extremely knowledgeable and professional. Great views of whales and if you're lucky pods of playful dolphins More

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Seattle, Washington
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2012

We squeezed this in on our way to the airport to fly home! We were tempted by the dolphin experience but neither of us is strong swimmers so erred on the side of caution. The operation is very well organized, and our guide (though new) was interesting. The time they quote for you to check in allows a generous buffer,... More

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Orlando, Florida
Senior Contributor
45 reviews 45 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

HIghly Recommend this tour..Worth the drive from Christchurch with beautiful Scenery along the way there. I captured on video one of the whales on his dive down. A must see when you are in this part of New Zealand. More

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Cork, Ireland
Top Contributor
80 reviews 80 reviews
Reviews in 37 cities Reviews in 37 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2012

I loved every minute of this trip. From the moment we left the harbour to the moment we returned we were filled with knowledgable and witty information from our team. Then we had the good fortune of seeing 3 whales and 100s of dolphins and seals on our 2hour 15minute trip. Everything from booking to disembarking the boat is treated... More

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Cornwall
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Having watched whales from a small boat in the Azores we wondered if a trip on a larger boat would be a disappointment. It was not. We were seated inside on comfortable seats on the fast transit out to the site while we were given an introduction and presentation on the large TV screen. When we got on to the... More

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New Zealand
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Amazing experience, from the ladies at check in to the awesome crew and marine biologist on board, and thier experience and knowledge was second to none. We saw three whales and raced along with a pod of over 200 dusky dolphins,some of them leaping and doing acrobatics, and the Albatross just cruising along the waves next to the boat was... More

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