Kaikoura Helicopter Tour: Uninterrupted Whale Watching Experience from Beachfront Helipads

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 - Experience the Kaikoura Helicopters Classic Whale Watch, an exhilarating whale watching journey in Kaikōura from above.
    Depart from the beachfront helipad in Kaikōura and glide over the renowned deep-sea canyon, home to the majestic Sperm Whale. From the comfort of the helicopter, enjoy sweeping views of these remarkable marine…
What's Included
  • Scenic helicopter excursion to view whales and wildlife
  • Unique and uninterrupted views of magnificent marine mammals from above in your luxury helicopter
  • View from above Kaikoura’s deep-sea canyon while searching for a Giant Sperm Whale
  • Explore the unique and rugged Kaikoura Coastline
  • Live commentary from our pilots who are flying encyclopedias…
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…

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.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(46 Ratings)
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Sharon_s
Mar 12, 2026
Birthday Treat of a Lifetime! - Wow Aaron was great making you feel very safe yet allowing you to enjoy this amazing experience. We got to see a sperm whale, some cheeky humpbacks and lots of dolphins and seals. This was a big birthday treat and something I’ll remember for ever. The beautiful coastline the gorgeous blue sea. What a trip! Thank you for the memories.
Review provided by Viator
Hemi_t
Feb 28, 2026
Kiakoura helicopter whale watch - Awesome flight good friendly pilot unfortunately no whales but stayed a little longer to keep looking flew around massive pod of dolphins
Review provided by Viator
Angela_p
Feb 26, 2026
Very experienced pilot... - Very experienced pilot who knew how to find Whales. Great over head views. Would liked to have got closer though.
Review provided by Viator
Martin_k
Feb 21, 2026
Great tour and highly recommended. - Booked at short notice and staff were very helpful. Great views from the helicopter and a really smooth flight. Really knowledgeable pilot who was able to fly quickly to enable us to see three whales as they surfaced. Would highly recommend the helicopter for best chance to see the whales close up.
Review provided by Viator
Lucy_r
Feb 5, 2026
Our pilot was informative... - Our pilot was informative and ensured we were all comfortable and safe. He found two whales and spent as much time as possible trying to find more .
Review provided by Viator
Donna_g
Feb 1, 2026
Pilot had very good... - Pilot had very good communication with others to spot whales 🐋 we saw 2! Great flight! Great service! Excellent experience 👏
Review provided by Viator
Dobbo10
Nov 29, 2025
These guys are brilliant! - This was awesome. Aaron was extremely generous with his time and with this experience. He made sure we got what we wanted (seeing whales) and went further than was needed to do so. His knowledge of whales and his commentary was petfect. This was, by far, the most generous experience I have ever had on any tour. Thank you Aaron.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Summerg532
Nov 15, 2025
Incredible and fun experience! - This was a terrific experience! Our pilot was Aaron, and we felt very safe with him. It was the first helicopter trip for both of us! We signed up for the 30-minute trip and Aaron went out of his way to try to find a whale for us -- including going a little over 30-minutes. Just as we were about to give up and we were heading back, we saw a humpback!! It was an adolescent playing with dolphins and it was so FUN to watch! Aaron circled around and then went the other way so that all four of us in the helicopter had a good view and could get a good picture. We would totally do this again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
From $210
up to 6 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).