About Wings Over Whales
The coastline falls away as the aircraft climbs above Kaikōura, revealing a vast meeting of ocean, peninsula and mountain ranges. Far below, a sperm whale moves through the Pacific while the Seaward Kaikōura Range rises beyond the coast. From the air, the scale of this remarkable landscape comes sharply into view.
The Story of This Place
Wings Over Whales has been conducting whale-watching scenic flights over Kaikōura since November 1991. From its base at Kaikōura Airport, the locally owned company shares an aerial perspective of the region’s sperm whales, marine wildlife, peninsula and Seaward Kaikōura Range.
Cultural Significance
Whales hold deep significance for Ngāti Kuri, the Māori people of Kaikōura. Their ancestor Paikea is said to have been left adrift at sea before Tohorā, a whale, carried him safely to Aotearoa / New Zealand. Passed down through generations, his story symbolises the enduring relationship between Ngāti Kuri, whales and the natural world. From above, the flight reveals the mountains, peninsula and wildlife-rich sea that have sustained generations.
The Experience of Visiting
The experience begins with an introduction to the pilot and a safety briefing before travellers board a high-wing aircraft. Each passenger has a window seat and a headset for communicating with the pilot during the 30-minute flight. The aircraft heads over Kaikōura’s deep coastal waters and orbits any whales located below, before taking in the peninsula, coastline and mountains from above.
Natural Features
Kaikōura’s coastal waters support sperm whales throughout the year, alongside dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and seabirds. Humpback whales, blue whales, southern right whales, long-finned pilot whales and orca may also pass through. From the air, these wildlife-rich waters form part of a wider panorama encompassing the Kaikōura Peninsula, Pacific coastline and Seaward Kaikōura Range.
Good to Know
- The experience allows 60 minutes in total, including check-in and a 30-minute whale-watching and scenic flight.
- The GA8 Airvan carries up to seven passengers and one pilot, with high wings and large windows designed for clear viewing.
- The Kaikōura Canyon begins close to shore, stretches for more than 60 kilometres and reaches depths of over 1,200 metres.
Stories Shared Along the Way
During the flight, the pilot shares knowledge of Kaikōura and the marine wildlife and landscapes seen below, adding context to the whales, dolphins, coastline and mountains.
Little-Known Facts
Unlike the view from a boat, the aerial perspective can reveal the entire whale as it moves through the water. The aircraft orbits whales located below, allowing passengers to view these enormous animals within the wider setting of the Kaikōura Canyon and coastline.
The flight follows the whales’ natural rhythm rather than a perfectly fixed schedule. Departure may shift slightly to make the most of their surfacing patterns, something the Wings Over Whales team calls operating on “Whale Time.”
One Thing to Know
The aerial perspective offers the rare opportunity to see the full scale of a whale beneath the water, surrounded by Kaikōura’s remarkable coastal landscape.