Our Top 5 Whale Watching Tours Around the World

1.Kaikoura Helicopters Classic Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $223Our pick

Take off from Kaikōura’s beachfront helipad for a 30-minute helicopter flight over the deep-sea canyon. You’ll search for sperm whales year-round, humpbacks from May to November, Hector’s dolphins, and fur seals while your pilot provides live commentary through a headset. The small aircraft carries up to three passengers plus the pilot on some flights.

“Excellent service, we arrived early & wasn’t an issue taking us earlier than our scheduled time. Seen a whale and dolphins during our flight! Highly recommend this company. Thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $313

From Kaikōura’s beachfront helipads, you’ll fly with a pilot over the whale grounds and rugged east coast. The 40-minute flight gives you extra time to spot sperm whales, dolphins, seals, and passing baleen whales farther offshore. Headsets provide live pilot commentary, and the helicopter carries a maximum of six people.

“What an amazing experience!! We were lucky enough to see 2 whales, a pod of dolphins, and a lot of seals. Being able to view these creatures from this perspective is so cool! Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Kaikoura: 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour · from $792

From Kaikōura Airport, you fly above the Whale Sanctuary and Hikurangi Marine Reserve to spot sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals. Your pilot-guide explains the wildlife and Kaikōura Canyon, then lands among the Seaward Kaikōura Range, sometimes on snow. Flights carry up to six people and depend on weather.

“It was a fantastic tour with the pilot - sorry forgot his name. He is very good at flying and very friendly. We saw the huge whale, which is approximately the same length with the 23m boat, and heaps of dusk dolphins, and the pilot knew the whale so well and counted-down the exact time when it dived into deep water with iconic tail. The pilot also flew us to see the Kaikoura Earth-Quake fault-line, landslide and even the barrier lake. Really enjoy it. Thanks.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Kaikōura: 45-Minute Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 45 min · from $493

Join South Pacific Helicopters Kaikoura for a 45-minute flight above Kaikōura’s Pacific coast. Your English-speaking pilot and in-flight guide point out sperm whales, dolphins, seals, and possible migrating whales before a private mountain landing. The six-person limit gives you a good chance at clear views from the helicopter.

“Great family business. Made to feel welcome from outset and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Kaikoura Helicopters Top n Tail Whale Watch flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $415

Fly from Kaikōura’s beachfront helipad over the Hikurangi Marine Reserve, searching for sperm whales, humpbacks, blue whales, orca, and dusky dolphins. Then land in the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges, with Mt. Fyffe views and possible snow in winter. A pilot headset, live commentary, and a maximum of six passengers keep the flight personal.

“It’s absolutely worth going to Kaikoura to do this whale watching flight. Our guide was great and made the trip very enjoyable. He was very knowledgeable about the whales and the surrounding areas. We did see a couple pods of dolphiRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review