From Christchurch: Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Tour

Venture out on a captivating day tour from Christchurch to the stunning seaside town of Kaikoura. This exhilarating excursion promises an unforgettable experience, with the highlight being a thrilling whale watching expedition. Witness majestic humpback, sperm, and blue whales in their natural habitat, while also enjoying the region’s breathtaking coastal scenery. The tour includes round-trip transportation, a knowledgeable guide, and a delicious lunch, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable adventure. But the excitement doesn’t end there – explore the area’s unique wildlife and indulge in local wine and beer tastings to truly learn about the best of what Kaikoura has to offer.

Key Points

• A full-day tour from Christchurch to Kaikoura, highlighting the opportunity to witness whales, sights, and optional wildlife viewing.
• Comprehensive package includes round-trip transportation, live English-speaking guide, lunch, and tastings.
• Flexible pickup and drop-off locations in Christchurch, ensuring a seamless experience for travelers.
• The highlight of the tour is a 4-hour whale watching excursion, providing a chance to observe humpback, sperm, and blue whales.
• Optional activities include a 30-minute wine tasting in Waipara and a 10-minute wildlife viewing after the whale watching.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

This full-day trip from Christchurch to Kaikoura offers whale watching and other sightseeing activities, lasting approximately 9 hours and priced from SEK 2,180 per person.

Guests can choose from 15 pickup locations in Christchurch, including major hotels and the bus interchange.

The journey includes stops for wine or beer tasting, a break in Cheviot, and lunch in Kaikoura before the 4-hour whale watching excursion.

There’s also an optional 10-minute wildlife viewing activity.

The tour includes round-trip transportation, a live English-speaking guide, the whale watching cruise, lunch, tastings, and refreshments.

Customers should wear warm, comfortable clothing and notify the provider of any dietary requirements.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.

Pickup and Drop-off Locations

The tour offers 15 pickup locations throughout Christchurch, allowing guests to conveniently access the day trip from various hotels, the bus interchange, and other central points. The pickup locations include:

Location	Location
Hotel Elms	Sudima City
Scenic Hotel Cotswold	Christchurch Bus Interchange
Crowne Plaza	–

At the end of the day, the tour will drop guests off at the same locations. This flexibility ensures a seamless experience for travelers, enabling them to embark on the Kaikoura whale watching adventure from wherever they’re based in Christchurch.

Journey and Stops

The tour begins with a van ride from Christchurch to Kaikoura, making a few stops along the way.

First, you’ll stop in Waipara for an optional 30-minute wine tasting, giving you a chance to sample some of the region’s renowned vintages.

Next, you’ll stop in Cheviot for a quick 5-minute break.

Once in Kaikoura, you’ll have 30 minutes to enjoy lunch before embarking on the 4-hour whale watching excursion, the highlight of the day.

If time permits, you may also have the opportunity to do some optional wildlife viewing.

At the end of the day, you’ll be dropped off back at your original pickup location in Christchurch.

Whale Watching Excursion

You’ll embark on a 4-hour whale watching excursion, the highlight of the day’s activities. This excursion offers the chance to observe the local marine wildlife up close, including the majestic whales that inhabit the waters off the Kaikoura coast.

With luck, you may spot humpback, sperm, or even the rare blue whale. The expert crew will guide you through the experience, providing insight into the whales’ behaviors and habitats.

You’ll be in awe as these gentle giants breach the surface and dive back down, putting on a mesmerizing show. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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Wildlife Viewing

After the whale watching excursion, there’s an optional 10-minute stop for wildlife viewing.

Visitors can observe other marine creatures that inhabit the Kaikoura coastline, such as seals, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds. The tour guide will point out the different species and provide information about their behaviors and habitats.

While the viewing time is brief, it’s a chance to appreciate the diverse wildlife that thrives in this picturesque coastal region. Travelers can snap photos of the animals in their natural environment before continuing the journey back to Christchurch.

This quick wildlife stop complements the main attraction of the tour – the awe-inspiring whale watching experience.

Wine and Beer Tasting

During the journey to Kaikoura, the tour often stops at Waipara for an optional 30-minute wine tasting experience. This provides visitors with a chance to sample the region’s renowned wines.

The tasting typically features a selection of white and red wines, offering a glimpse into the local winemaking traditions. While the wine tasting is optional, many guests choose to participate, as it’s a great way to complement the whale watching and wildlife viewing activities.

The knowledgeable staff guide participants through the tasting, sharing insights into the flavors and production methods. This short detour allows travelers to indulge in the area’s culinary delights and appreciate the diverse offerings of the Kaikoura tour.

Inclusions

This tour includes a comprehensive package of transportation, activities, and amenities to enhance the overall experience. The tour provides transport from Christchurch to Kaikoura, a live English-speaking guide, a whale watching cruise, a lunch break, an optional wine or beer tasting, bottled water and snacks, as well as Wi-Fi access during the journey.

The inclusions in this tour ensure a well-rounded and enjoyable day trip:

• Enjoy the scenic coastal views along the route

• Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of whale watching

• Savor a delicious lunch and optional wine or beer tasting

• Stay hydrated and connected with bottled water and Wi-Fi

• Benefit from the expertise of a knowledgeable live guide

Important Information

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, the tour organizers recommend guests bring warm and comfortable clothing.

Travelers prone to motion sickness should also consider bringing anti-nausea pills, as the whale watching portion of the tour may involve some sea movement.

Plus, guests with any dietary requirements are encouraged to notify the tour provider prior to travel so accommodations can be made.

The tour includes a delicious lunch, bottled water, and snacks, so guests can focus on the stunning scenery and wildlife encounters without worrying about their basic needs.

Recap

The Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Tour from Christchurch offers an unforgettable opportunity to witness majestic marine life up close.

With round-trip transportation, a knowledgeable guide, and a delicious lunch, this full-day excursion provides a seamless adventure for travelers seeking to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and the awe-inspiring presence of whales.

Optional activities like wine tasting and wildlife viewing further enhance this exhilarating and memorable day trip.

You can check if your dates are available here: