• travel_explore
    Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Christchurch... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

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

4.7
771
Deals from $75.00 Save $200.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
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
Child $115.00 (2 - 12 years)

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 5 Apr to 18 Apr 2025

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Sat 5 Apr
Sun 6 Apr
Mon 7 Apr
Tue 8 Apr
Wed 9 Apr
Thu 10 Apr
Fri 11 Apr
Sat 12 Apr
Sun 13 Apr
Mon 14 Apr
Tue 15 Apr
Wed 16 Apr
Thu 17 Apr
Fri 18 Apr

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$224.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$224.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$224.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

Bookings close in 8 hours...

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$214.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$235.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$180.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$235.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$180.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

Bookings close in 9 hours...

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

Bookings close in 10 hours...

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

Bookings close in 10 hours...

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$224.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$224.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$195.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$175.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$275.00
  • Child$115.00

  • Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$115.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll 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

Moritz Brinkmann from Germany wrote on 22 March 2024

Keine Wale entdeckt

Der Flug hat Spaß gemacht. Schöne Aussicht. Allerdings keine Wale oder Delphine entdeckt.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

doriss1 from Germany wrote on 13 February 2024

whale watching flight

Schöner Flug, wir haben ein Rudel Orcas gesehen. Der Pottwal wollte leider während unserer Flugzeit nicht auftauchen.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Susanne Marx from Germany wrote on 03 February 2024

Unbeschreiblich!

Es war ein unbeschreibliches Gefühl die Wale zu sehen. Aufgrund schlechten Wetters mussten wir unseren Termin verschieben, was aber kein Problem war. Dieser Tag dafür war perfekt. Der Pilot hat sich Zeit genommen die Wale zu finden und uns einiges über sie zu erzählen. Ein wirklich tolles Erlebnis, was ich jedem empfehlen kann.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

nilsruetten from Germany wrote on 29 October 2023

Geringe Chance auf Wale

In den Bereichen, in denen Wale leben hält man sich bei einem 40 Minuten Flug nur 20 Minuten auf. Sie haben eine Tauchzeit von bis zu zwei Stunden. Die Chance Wale zu sehen ist somit gering und der Titel irreführend. Die Boote haben weitaus höhere Erflogsquoten.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

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

Hi, thank you for joining us and taking the time to leave a review. Depending on the location of the whales, yes we may need to spend longer flying out to the area. Sometimes we are lucky they are close to shore, however it is wildlife so we are at the whim of mother nature here. On average, the sperm whales in Kaikoura dive for 40-50mins, sometimes over 1hr. It would be extremely unusual for a sperm whale in Kaikoura to do over a 2hr dive, the longest recorded dive in the world is 2.17hrs- which is an extremely long dive for a sperm whale! Unfortunately we can never 100% guarantee a whale sighting as it is wildlife, but I hope you enjoyed the flying and Kaikoura views.

Dietmar from Germany wrote on 17 April 2023

Schöner Flug - keine Wale

Man hat uns gleich zu Anfang gesagt, dass wir wohl keine Wale sehen werden. Wer wollte, konnte vom Flug zurücktreten. Gesehen haben wir veile Delfine, einen abtauchenden Orca und eine tolle Landschaft.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

close

Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

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.

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.

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.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.