Kaikoura Whale and Dolphin Overnight Tour from Christchurch
Overview
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Live commentary on board
- Overnight accommodation
- Whale watch tour by boat
- Fur seal colony viewing
- Swim with Dolphins
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- North Canterbury wine tasting if time permits
- GST (Goods and Services Tax
What to expect
On arrival in Kaikoura you will be transferred to a whale-watching tour by boat. This afternoon is free for you to explore Kaikoura.
Overnight: 5-star accommodation at The Anchor Inn (or similar). Kaikoura’s newest motel on the waterfront, opened in November 1997, offers 15 architecturally designed motel units, all fully self-contained. The motel is centrally located within the township on the waterfront and most rooms enjoy mountain or sea views.
Day 2: Kaikoura – ChristchurchThis morning join a swim-with-dolphins cruise. You will be fully equipped with wetsuit, mask, snorkel and flippers in order to swim in the sea with dusky dolphins. There will be an opportunity during the day to visit a seal colony where fur seals may be viewed at close quarters.
Returning to Christchurch this afternoon, a stop is made at a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure.
Highlights
- Day 1: Christchurch – KaikouraTravel by coach through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea (a journey of approximately three hours by coach). Kaikoura is world-renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic dusky dolphins.<br><br>On arrival in Kaikoura you will be transferred to a whale-watching tour by boat. This afternoon is free for you to explore Kaikoura.<br><br>Overnight: 5-star accommodation at The Anchor Inn (or similar). Kaikoura’s newest motel on the waterfront, opened in November 1997, offers 15 architecturally designed motel units, all fully self-contained. The motel is centrally located within the township on the waterfront and most rooms enjoy mountain or sea views. <br><br>Day 2: Kaikoura – ChristchurchThis morning join a swim-with-dolphins cruise. You will be fully equipped with wetsuit, mask, snorkel and flippers in order to swim in the sea with dusky dolphins. There will be an opportunity during the day to visit a seal colony where fur seals may be viewed at close quarters. <br><br>Returning to Christchurch this afternoon, a stop is made at a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure.
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Please note, infants under 3 years of age may not join the cruises but may travel on the light aircraft tours
- Children must be aged 8 years and over to swim with Dolphins.
- Customers must declare any pre-existing medical conditions. A basic level of fitness is required. Customers will be floating in the open ocean and will be required to swim to and from the boat - distances up to 50 meters (150 feet) at a time.
- Once the tour has commenced only the unused portion of the tour will be refunded should the boats not sail or the planes not fly.
- If due to whale sightings or weather conditions the boat offers a partial refund, this refund will be passed on to our customers.
- If whale watch is undertaken by light aircraft and no whales are seen, no refund applies.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- If time allows we will stop at a North Canterbury vineyard for a wine tasting!
- Maximum - One Medium size bag/suitcase per person (max 20kg each)
- Follow the safety guidelines as issued by the New Zealand Government and maintain good hygene and social distancing measures. Do not travel if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms. If the city in which you are departing from is in alert level two, then please wear a facemask for all transport.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
Entire experience was fantastic! Swimming with dolphins was amazing and very well organized, transport was hassle free and straight forward, and the whale watching tour was peaceful. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get a lot out of Kaikōura in a short amount of time.
Entire experience was fantastic! Swimming with dolphins was amazing and very well organized, transport was hassle free and straight forward, and the whale watching tour was peaceful. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get a lot out of Kaikōura in a short amount of time.We booked an early boat on a beautiful day. A very short bus ride to the boat which was extremely comfortable. The crew were very friendly and Informative. We were so lucky after a relatively short time we saw our first whale just basking in the water. We waited iand after sometime he decided...
We booked an early boat on a beautiful day. A very short bus ride to the boat which was extremely comfortable. The crew were very friendly and Informative. We were so lucky after a relatively short time we saw our first whale just basking in the water. We waited iand after sometime he decided to dive flipping his tale several times. Breathtaking. We then went on seeing dolphins and sea birds a truly magical day.I have always wanted to swim with dolphins and whilst travelling NZ, Kaikoura was the one place loads of people had recommended to do this. I was all geared up at 6am and ready, I'd taken sickness tablets for the boat ride. On the boat, we started to see the dolphins, jumping alongside, was amaz...
I have always wanted to swim with dolphins and whilst travelling NZ, Kaikoura was the one place loads of people had recommended to do this. I was all geared up at 6am and ready, I'd taken sickness tablets for the boat ride. On the boat, we started to see the dolphins, jumping alongside, was amazing and i was so excited. BUT, as we were told to come in and gear up, i didnt feel too good. Sadly, i missed out on interacting with the dolphins and getting into the sea as my head remained in a bucket for the rest of the experience. I had an amazing time and would recommend it.
It is an amazing and awesome trip to me and my wife. Strongly recommended
It is an amazing and awesome trip to me and my wife. Strongly recommended
One of the best experience I've had swimming with dolphins. Highly recommended. I was initially worried about being cold in the water, but the wetsuits were extremely warm.
One of the best experience I've had swimming with dolphins. Highly recommended. I was initially worried about being cold in the water, but the wetsuits were extremely warm.