About Whale Watch Cruise
A plume of mist appears on the horizon, followed by the dark back of a giant sperm whale surfacing from the sea. Around you, the Pacific Ocean stretches into the distance while the mountains of Kaikōura rise dramatically from the coastline. Few wildlife encounters in New Zealand combine such extraordinary marine life with such spectacular scenery.
The Story of This Place
Whale watching has become one of Kaikōura’s most iconic experiences thanks to the rich marine environment found just offshore. Whale Watch Kaikōura was established in 1987 and has grown into New Zealand’s only vessel-based whale watching company, offering visitors close encounters with giant sperm whales in their natural environment throughout the year.
Cultural Significance
Whales hold deep significance for Ngāti Kuri, who own and operate Whale Watch Kaikōura. Their ancestor Paikea is said to have been left adrift at sea before Tohorā, a whale, carried him safely to Aotearoa / New Zealand. His descendants include the Ngāti Kuri people of Kaikōura. When Whale Watch was founded in 1987, its leaders drew inspiration from this story, believing the local sperm whales could once again carry Paikea’s descendants towards a more prosperous future. The experience continues to reflect kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the natural world) and manaakitanga (care and hospitality shown to visitors).
The Experience of Visiting
As the purpose-built catamaran heads offshore, the crew search for whales and share insights into Kaikōura’s environment and marine life. Inside, the “World of the Whales” visual presentation takes passengers virtually to the bottom of the Kaikōura undersea canyon. Outside, watch for sperm whales surfacing and raising their tail flukes, with dolphins, fur seals and seabirds also possible along the way.
Natural Features
Kaikōura is a world-renowned marine wildlife hotspot where mountains meet the sea. The nearby Kaikōura Canyon and its rich food supply attract an abundance of marine life, including giant sperm whales, dusky dolphins, Hector’s dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and a wide variety of seabirds. Seasonal visitors can include humpback whales, southern right whales, pilot whales and orca.
Good to Know
- The Whale Watch Cruise spends just over 2 hours on the water aboard a purpose-built catamaran.
- Located around 800 metres off the coast, the Kaikōura Canyon stretches for over 60 kilometres and reaches depths of more than 1,200 metres.
- Whale Watch Kaikōura reports a whale-sighting success rate of more than 90%, and typically sees 1-2 whales per tour.
Stories Shared Along the Way
Throughout the cruise, the onboard crew explain why Kaikōura is one of the few places in the world where giant sperm whales can be seen year-round and share insights into the behaviour of the whales and other marine wildlife encountered along the journey.
Little-Known Facts
The sperm whales found off Kaikōura are males, while females and young whales remain in warmer tropical waters. The rich feeding grounds attract young males, which come here to feed and build their strength.
The whale encounter is only part of the story. Each sperm whale may remain underwater for 40 to 60 minutes, so much of the experience lies in searching the horizon and anticipating the moment it returns to the surface.
One Thing to Know
Kaikōura is one of the few places where giant sperm whales can be encountered throughout the year, making every cruise an opportunity to experience an extraordinary marine environment.