Kaikoura Helicopter Tour: Uninterrupted Whale Watching Experience from Beachfront Helipads
4.7
25 Ratings
Kaikōura
Helicopters depart from our centrally located beach front helipads, lifting off on your scenic helicopter tour to view the Kaikoura Coast. View Sperm Whales from head to tail, offering you a unique and uninterrupted vantage point of these magnificent marine mammals.
Duration:
30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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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 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
Additional Information
- 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.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(25 Ratings)
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309lucyt
Mar 14, 2024
Great helicopter experience - Our pilot was great, skilled and very informative. The views over the bay were incredible. We saw several orca although the sperm whales remained elusive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N4321boandrewh
Feb 20, 2024
Highlight of our holiday - Online booking was straightforward and face to face service was prompt and helpful. Pilot was knowledgable and felt in safe hands. Seeing a sperm whale from the air and close up was just superb. A highlight of our holiday
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James
May 6, 2023
Sperm whales and dusky dolphins - We were so well informed before the trip and then the trip was brilliant. We managed to circle over a massive sperm whale before it dived and then found a massive pod of performing dusky dolphins- it truly is a magical experience. The chopper is so comfortable and the pilot really friendly and informative
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherine_l
Mar 22, 2023
amazing flight over kaikora & the Whales - What a very professional safe operation this is. We were so well prepared pre flight.
saw 2 sperm whales and a very large pod of dolphins, plus a lovely view of the coast. Helicopter carries 3 passengers plus pilot.
Really can’t recommend this trip enough.
Review provided by Viator
2va_nessa2
Mar 7, 2023
Whale, dolphins and seals - Amazing experience! We saw a sperm whale, a group of about 200 dolphins and a seal colony. Couldn’t be any better!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenny
Feb 18, 2023
Bucket List - We had a wonderful flight with Kiakoura Helicopters - it was one of the highlights of our trip. The pilot certainly knew his stuff - which wales were in the area and when they were likely to break surface. Couldn’t have asked for more. We both absolutely loved it and ticked two things off our bucket lists - a helicopter flight and seeing a whale in its natural surroundings. Thank you so much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chai
Dec 27, 2022
Amazing! - - friendly, knowledgeable staffs. They had communications with the boats to have information and where the whales are located
- 30mins ride may not be sufficient especially if you are taking the 1st flight out to the ocean in the morning. Additional 10 or 15mins cost extra. Sperm whale will comes up about every 45mins.
- get to see the puff of the whale without getting seasick.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Skylab1965
Nov 24, 2022
whale watch flight to remeber and cherish - Brilliant flight. From the moment Aaron our pilot met us, we felt safe in the hands of a very friendly, informtive professional. He took off later than planned to coincide with the Sperm whales assent from feeding at 1.8km depth. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnd9222
Mar 9, 2024
Whales watching by helicopter - Was warned that might not see whales and given opportunity to not go but decided to and was a great experince, unfortunately no whales seen but time added on for seeing the seal colonies.
Worth it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suehes
Feb 22, 2024
Sadly, a waste of money - The administration was poor. We were sent instructions to meet at the incorrect place. Phoned and was told that she'd sent a link to get to the correct place - she hadn't. Finally went in to the office in Kaikoura to get the correct instructions.
Aaron was our pilot. Very friendly and informative but he spoke to us as though we were kindergarten age. Good 30 minute helicopter ride but no whales seen at all sadly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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