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Kaikoura Helicopter Tour: Uninterrupted Whale Watching Experience from Beachfront Helipads
4.8
39 Ratings
Kaikōura
Experience an uninterrupted whale watching adventure in Kaikoura with our beachfront helipads. Lift off on a scenic helicopter tour and get a unique view of Sperm Whales from head to tail.
Experience an uninterrupted whale watching adventure in Kaikoura with our beachfront helipads. Lift off on a scenic helicopter tour and get a unique view of Sperm Whales from head to tail.
Duration:
30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Kaikoura - This helicopter tour departs from our beachfront heli-pads and within minutes you’ll be in the spectacular environment that plays host to one of the world’s largest marine mammals, the magnificent Sperm Whale. From the comfort of our helicopter, you will enjoy the ultimate whale-spotting experience.\nEnjoy spectacular, panoramic views…
- Kaikoura - This helicopter tour departs from our beachfront heli-pads and within minutes you’ll be in the spectacular environment that plays host to one of the world’s largest marine mammals, the magnificent Sperm Whale. From the comfort of our helicopter, you will enjoy the ultimate whale-spotting experience.\nEnjoy spectacular, panoramic views of Kaikoura Peninsula.\nSee the seal colonies along the rocks at the end of Kaikoura Peninsula.\nThere is a possibility of seeing dolphins, baleen whales migrating through, and humpback whales on their way back and forth from their feeding grounds down near Antarctica, to their birthing and breeding grounds in Tonga/Niue in May/Nov\nWe operate under the strict guidelines of our whale watching concession from the Department of Conservation whilst also abiding to the Marine Mammals Protection Act
What's Included
- Scenic helicopter excursion to view sperm whales and wildlife
- Explore the unique and rugged Kaikoura Coastline
- View Kaikoura’s deep-sea canyon while searching for a Giant Sperm Whale
- Uninterrupted views of marine mammals in a luxury helicopter
- Live commentary from knowledgeable pilots
- Headset with microphone for clear communication
- Scenic helicopter excursion to view sperm whales and wildlife
- Explore the unique and rugged Kaikoura Coastline
- View Kaikoura’s deep-sea canyon while searching for a Giant Sperm Whale
- Uninterrupted views of marine mammals in a luxury helicopter
- Live commentary from knowledgeable pilots
- Headset with microphone for clear communication
Additional Information
Kaikoura Helicopter Whale Watching – The Ultimate Shore Excursion
Elevate your Kaikoura experience with our unforgettable helicopter whale watching tour. Glide over the breathtaking Kaikoura coastline as you search for magnificent sperm whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and fur seals. From above, witness the awe-inspiring scale of these incredible marine…
Kaikoura Helicopter Whale Watching – The Ultimate Shore Excursion
Elevate your Kaikoura experience with our unforgettable helicopter whale watching tour. Glide over the breathtaking Kaikoura coastline as you search for magnificent sperm whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and fur seals. From above, witness the awe-inspiring scale of these incredible marine creatures in their natural environment—an experience that is truly once-in-a-lifetime.
Perfectly aligned with cruise ship schedules, this adventure is an exceptional Kaikoura shore excursion. Whether you have limited time or seek a premium way to explore Kaikoura, our helicopter tours provide unparalleled aerial views and an exhilarating perspective of New Zealand’s wildlife and landscapes.
- Dramatic aerial views of whales
- Scenic and mountain landscapes unique to Kaikoura
- Ideal for cruise ship shore excursions with convenient timing
- Experienced pilots and a professional, friendly crew
- A headset is provided with a microphone for communicating with your pilot
- Please call 24 hours in advance to reconfirm your booking +64 3 319 6609
- We recommend wearing covered shoes and bringing a warm jacket
- We recommend bringing your camera and sunglasses
- All passengers will be weighed before departure
- Your pilot in command will load helicopter based on weight and balance
- All flights are subject to weather conditions and minimum numbers. Please see our website for full terms and conditions
- If the weather does not allow you to fly, we will be happy to rebook you for a later time if your travel schedule allows. Alternatively your voucher can be used at one of our other helicopter bases in Wellington or Christchurch
Location
16 West End
West End
Kaikoura Helicopters is situated under the rail bridge on the main street of Kaikoura. Look for the whales on the windows and the smiling staff on the reception.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(39 Ratings)
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Seaside48363695253
Apr 27, 2025
Kaikoura whale wactcing - Highly recommend this company. Very professional with a wealth of knowledge. Kelly was our pilot and gave a very informative talk along the way. We saw 8 or 9 orcas plus a sperms whale, it was so awesome. Not to mention the seals . This is a must do trip if visiting Kaikoura. Thanks for a great flight I'm still buzzing hours after.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
908ellenb
Mar 11, 2025
Seeing whales from the air! - The guy we talked with on the phone arranging the flight was knowledgeable and helpful. The pilot, Kel, was fantastic. A huge plus is they know the whales' general behaviors, and they stay in touch with boat captains and one another to increase the chance of spotting whales. But . . . luck is involved. We didn't see any whales.
But then, there were two seats on the next flight and Kel asked us if we wanted to try again, for free. Yes.! And on that second flight we saw both a sperm whale and a baleen whale . . . with a calf! We highly recommend this company for their competence, knowledge, skills and generosity!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Grandtour39068396887
Feb 20, 2025
Humpback - Fortunately the sea was too rough for our booked boat trip to see the whales. As we had traveled from the UK didn’t want to miss out, so managed to get the helicopter trip instead. Would definitely recommend. The aerial view looking down on a humpback was fantastic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenifer_k
Feb 11, 2025
An a amazing experience - Brilliant amazing experience. We saw 1 sperm whale and 2 Orcas within 20 minute.Wjat an amazing sight. The staff are totally commited and experienced and very helpful. Kel our pilot was just great and so was Aaron at the office. The helicopter was so clean and comfortable, beloved every minute of it. I would definitely recommend this experience.
Review provided by Viator
686jennyk
Feb 10, 2025
Amazing Experience - What an amazing experience. An helicopter ride was on my bucket list to do but I have always been a little timid however I am so glad I did this. My husband and I totally loved it and the trained staff are very experienced and made us feel safe and secure. The views are amazing and we saw a sperms whale and 2 Orcas in the matter of 20 minutes. Kel our pilot was so helpful and friendly and the helicopter was so clean and comfortable. I would definitely recommend the experience. Thank you for the opportunity
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mjb13
Jan 13, 2025
Absolutely Outstanding! - We adored our helicopter experience. Cal was a superb pilot — friendly, experienced and enchanting. We all communicated together through our headphones and microphones. Once in a lifetime experience. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ron
Dec 23, 2024
Super whale watch flight - We had a great flight looking for the whales. Our pilot Cal took all the time to show us the whales and we even saw a pod of killer whales which seems to be quite exceptional. We advise everyone to fly with these guys because everything is top arranged.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meikegrantz
Dec 11, 2024
Wonderful whale watching heli flight - We've had a wonderful whale watching and helicopter flight experience with Kaikoura Helicopters; saw a sperm whale and grind whales. The flight itself was an amazing experience too. Super friendly pilot, we felt very safe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isabel15c
Dec 10, 2024
Breathtaking - Perfect, a breathtaking flight with stunning views! An incredibly friendly and knowledgeable pilot who explained what we saw and shared fascinating information about the whales. An absolute recommendation anyone visiting Kaikoura.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janenevill
Oct 9, 2024
Office is not helpful or organised which is shame as trip good - Booked this trip months ago
So day we arrived in town and day before trip thought we would check out where place was as our flight was 9 am
The address is their office in the town. The lady in the office showed a picture of where to go but oh it’s bad winds tomorrow so might have to move you blah blah blah. Explained we are on holiday have other activities planned can only do certain days and times if we do need to move but forecast on weather app is sun and v light wind (yes understand up mountain wind is different)
So wake up next morning to message it’s cancelled and rebooked for a time we said we couldn’t do!
Messages backwards and forwards ended up come to hanger we will do whale watch but can’t go up mountain- that’s fine and maybe what should have been offered in first place instead of all this we are going to cancel
Pilot man was lovely saw a sperm whale pretty quickly and managed to circle it a few times before it dove
Moved along stunning coastline found dolphins and seals. There was a humpback somewhere but sadly hiding from us
Feel we did the extended whale tour which is a lot cheaper than the tour we booked so have e mailed suggesting a refund of the difference but of course no reply to date sadly
We did enjoy the trip but somewhat spoilt by the it might be cancelled then was cancelled then having to haggle to get some sort of trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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