Passenger Testimonials
October 2023
26th Oct 2023
The trip was fantastic. The staff from check in until getting off the boat were professional and friendly. The guide on the boat was very knowledgeable.
24th Oct 2023
The whale watching was an amazing trip. To see this big animal is fantastic. Thank you very much. The Boats, even if they are fully booked you have enough space on it.
23rd Oct 2023
The narrator was fantastic, funny and professional. His crew colleagues were also brilliant, assisting those that needed help. The captain was professional and ran the boat perfectly.
22nd Oct 2023
The staff at check in were friendly and informative. Good info about whether we might experience sea sickness. Good transportation to the boat. Clear safety guidelines. Comfortable seating whilst sailing. The staff were very attentive and had lots of information about the whales. This was a commentary and information on a screen. We saw one whale, some dolphins, seals and an albatross or two.
21st Oct 2023
The boat is really nice and well equipped. The staff in the centre and on the boat are amazing. Our tour got cancelled (bad weather) one day so we got booked onto the next day's morning cruise & luckily it went! and it was absolutely incredible! We saw Royal Blue Albatross, sperm whale & loads of Dusky Dolphins! The guides/skipper etc. all really knew their stuff and we're incredibly friendly and helpful. It is an absolute must when in Kaikoura!
16th Oct 2023
Very comfortable and excellent boat ride, thank you captain! Very informative and friendly guide staff. Was great to see the whale's space being respected as well as other wildlife. Fantastic experience and well worth it.
9th Oct 2023
Our whole group - adults and kids - LOVED the experience thanks very much! Once we found the whale it was really helpful have the blow-by-blow (no pun intended!) commentary so we knew exactly when to have our cameras ready!
8th Oct 2023
The best day ever what an amazing experience so lucky to see tumanako and dolphins. Brilliant professional team highly recommended.
7th Oct 2023
Best experience and I loved learning more about whales and sea life. They found whales really fast. Kudos to the team and captain.
6th Oct 2023
A fantastic experience. We saw a sperm whale twice, dolphins, albatross, fur seals and literally thousands of Hutton's Shearwater gulls …. What a sight!
September 2023
27th Sept 2023
Everything was amazing, the skipper's presentation and all the info they gave about the area and marine life was so enriching to the experience, their easy directions and the captain's ability to get everyone the best view of the whale and dolphins was so appreciated!!
DUCKSBURY BETHANY
22nd Sept 2023
Very professional. We only saw the tip of the tail, yet the team refunded a percentage back showing their high standards and dedication to the customer and experience.
Thomas Koshy
18th Sept 2023
Saw a fantastic pod of orcas. Amazing experience. Captain's Cabin VIP tickets made the experience even better.
JONES STEVEN
13th Sept 2023
It was just an overall wonderful experience. I really liked listening to the staff member share information and educate us about the whales and process whilst on the boat on the way to the location.
CHEA JENNIFER
11th Sept 2023
Was an absolutely amazing experience! We loved every minute of it. We had so much fun, it was such a delight to see the wildlife, and the staff were wonderful and so knowledgeable. I absolutely recommend Whale Watch Kaikoura.
Mel
7th Sept 2023
Amazing trip! The speaker was great, there was enough talking and quiet time to enjoy the whales. Worked hard to maximize our whale opportunities and with a little extra time enjoyed seeing the dolphins at the end. Love the way you really care about the animals.
VALE DENEY
5th Sept 2023
It was a truly wonderful experience! We were lucky enough to witness 4 sperm whale encounters (with 2 whales, Spike and Mati Mati) and a lot of dolphins. The crew definitely knew what they were doing, and it was incredible! Hats off to them!
SUPPLY SEPPE
4th Sept 2023
It was an amazing experience. Staff were fantastic, snack box was yummy, ginger beer was great too. Add on the whales and overall, it was incredible.
CAMPBELL TONY
3rd Sept 2023
Totally loved the trip. So lucky to have been able to see orcas and dolphins on top of the sperm whale. Captain Jack and his crew were amazing in locating and bringing the catamaran close to them.
Wein Sze Chin
AUGUST 2023
31st Aug 2023
A great day out, relaxed, with lots of stunning wildlife, including a total of 4 whale sightings, dolphins, and several species of birds, all with snowclad Kaikoura's in the background. The great commentary added to the day.
SHEWAN NEIL
30th Aug 2023
Having missed out because we left it to the last minute, we ended up booking upon a return journey to the coast a couple days later & we were not disappointed in any way. The captain on the day (Jack?) & the whole fantastic crew ensured that we were rewarded with close-up encounters of these mighty sperm whales (3 in total) as well as 100's of dolphins! Our MC Cameron's in-depth knowledge & commentary kept us informed & entertained while traveling at high speed from one location to the next. All in all, a professional & amazing experience not to be missed!
Mark Bernamoff
29th Aug 2023
Incredible experience seeing 3 sperm whales, hundreds of dolphins and various sea birds (e.g., albatross). Guide was very knowledgeable and informative. Definitely worth the early morning drive up from Christchurch.
G Lim
28th Aug 2023
What a slick operation. The whole experience was wonderful from check in, the bus ride, the exciting boat ride, whale watching, dolphins .... will definitely try and come back again.
WEMYSS ROB
27th Aug 2023
The staff were great and informative. The boat is large and comfortable with great viewing of the local wildlife and the Kaikoura coastline.
CHERRY BRUCE
26th Aug 2023
We had a great trip. Had an excellent view of a whale and also dolphins, which we loved. Saw sea birds too. The boat was impressive. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable. We’ll organized and run.
MONTEITH CLAIRE
23rd Aug 2023
Great experience saw sperm and blue whales, sunshine made it extra special.
Margaret
22nd Aug 2023
Whale Watch provided a very well organized and enjoyable tour. Spotted 4 whales and the crew definitely know where to go and at what time to spot them. Fabulous commentary provided throughout the trip. Kaikoura is a beautiful part of NZ. A great experience, thank you.
Aly Clement
19th Aug 2023
You guys did great - buying tkts online was easy, check in was easy and clear, the team on the boat was well informed and helpful, we saw two fin whales, one sperm whale and plenty of other birds and dolphins.
ROSEAN ROBERT
17th Aug 2023
The check-in process was efficient and considering we were a day early for our tour the whole team was very accommodating. On board the vessel the crew were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The vessel was comfortable and clean. We were lucky and saw lots which really made it a very special day. Thank you.
KNOWLER ALEX
14th Aug 2023
We had a blast. I had done whale watching in Southern California three times and never seen a whale. We had four separate sightings in Kaikōura! Also, the tour guide was wonderful about answering my questions. Excellent time, well worth the money.
MCMILLIN HELEN
11th Aug 2023
The staff were very caring and knowledgeable, and the animals were amazing! We saw two sperm whales, a mother and calf Hector’s dolphins, a fur seal who had just caught an octopus and albatross watching on! We definitely needed sea sickness medication (available from the shop) but the experience was worth it. Kaikoura is a great town to visit and the drive from Christchurch is so scenic :)
May ML
9th Aug 2023
Amazing experience and great crew, 4 sightings of 3 different sperm whales and then 1 humpback, my family will never forget it.
LENNON LAURENCE
JULY 2023
31st July 2023
Probably the best trip we have been on for years. Everything from when we first checked into ticketing, our transport out to the Pier, boarding the luxury Cat, the informative cheerful Captain and the rest of the Crew staff, TOPs. The spotting of the Whales and photo opportunities and then getting positioned in amongst the largest pod of Dolphins (500 or more) so we could learn, watch and appreciate their playful antics, well what else can one say, except THANK YOU Whale Watch. Absolutely recommend.
HANKEY GRAEME
20th July 2023
Check in, bus transfers and boat trip were all exceptionally well managed. All facilities were top class. Announcements were timely, clear and accurate. We got to see 5 whales, 2 of them twice. The absolute highlight of our NZ holiday.
LITCHFIELD PAUL
18th July 2023
It was an amazing trip; the staff were so helpful. One of our party is in a wheelchair and they were so accommodating and ensured we had a good position to see the whales every time. Nothing was a problem. Saw so many whales and dolphins, well worth every cent.
SMITH GABRIEL
17th July 2023
The whale watch experience was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and got to see and witness so many whales and wildlife. The crew were knowledgeable and helpful. They taught us so so much. I really didn’t want the experience to end. I highly recommend this to everyone and have done so ever since. The young French girl who took our tour was fantastic and very good at her role of teaching and guiding us passengers to have the best experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. I loved every second.
OMLO LIBBY
16th July 2023
We loved our whale watching trip. Our guide (I think his name was Tiaki) was fantastic and provided a good amount of insight and knowledge of whales and dolphins, as well as whaling history. He balanced giving us this info, with allowing us quiet time to observe the whales. He was informative and funny. Safety was a key priority too.
CAMPBELL PORTIA
15th July 2023
We had an excellent time. Very lucky to have 4 encounters on our trip. The crew and host were fantastic and communicated really well. Overall, a smooth experience to have some incredible moments with some incredible sea creatures.
Anantha Narayanan
14th July 2023
Absolutely stunning experience. Whale watch team are professionals and know how to make your experience even better.
Katzerova Eliska
13th July 2023
Was an amazing tour and very informative. Couldn’t believe that they knew the whales by name!
Autumn Butlin
10th July 2023
Great tour! Guides just as excited as passengers! Wonderful trip!!!
Joan Green
9th July 2023
It was an amazing trip Helen was very appreciative of the staff as she didn’t feel the best, but they help her to still enjoy the day even though she was seasick.
Ben Furguson
7th July 2023
The whole experience was great, from the crew who were very knowledgeable to the sighting of the whales, dolphins and seals. Would highly recommend this experience.
Dianne Forrester
JUNE 2023
30th June 2023
Outstanding in every way. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. Very informative and friendly. I saw staff assisting some of the seasick passengers and answering questions through the tour. We were lucky enough to see THREE sperm whales, Dusky’s dolphins, a few seals and albatrosses too. Couldn’t be happier that we booked this trip for my husband, son, and me.
MIDDLEBROOKS CHRISTINA
29th June 2023
Extremely professional and knowledgeable with regards to the wildlife in the area. There is no 'greenwashing' to sell your tours. It is obvious that your company really does hold the environment in high regard. I liked the fact that you kept a respectful distance from the 4 (!!!) whales that we saw. Having the school of dolphins zipping around the boat and doing flips was the icing on the cake!
GAUL ANDREA
27th June 2023
You all did great! I appreciate that you made the effort to find the whales, and the fact that we got to see 2 blue whales made it an extra special trip. :)
BERNHEIM KATHERINE
26th June 2023
The Whale watch trip was something out of this world. All staff were so knowledgeable. We never expected our trip to be so awe inspiring. we would recommend this trip to everyone. Will have to come back and do it again. Loved it so much.
SMITH BRUCE
21st June 2023
Really fantastic tour, we saw 4 whales! The trip was done in a very respectful and sustainable way, it didn't feel like we were interfering with the whales and didn't get too close as to disturb them, but close enough to admire them. On top of that, the staff were all friendly and very informative, I learnt a lot about the whales and the history of whales in Kaikoura. I would really recommend the tour.
CLARKE SAMMI
21st June 2023
I had a really horrible time with seasickness on the trip and your staff were excellent, particularly the young woman with long blond hair (not Cameron, though she was lovely too). She was kind and compassionate and helpful, and I so appreciated it. Loved seeing the whales and dolphins and found the trip very informative and inspiring.
FORYANI MERISSA
20th June 2023
The whale watch tour exceeded my expectations. The knowledgeable guides, comfortable boat, incredible whale sightings, and commitment to environmental responsibility made it a truly memorable experience. highly recommend.
Ella Yeun
15th June 2023
Excellent! Second time on your tour (previously in 2017), and it was great both times. I love your staff’s enthusiasm and passion about the local area and wildlife. Would 10/10 recommend you guys to anyone and would consider doing the tour a 3rd time if I venture back to Kaikoura. Truly a wonderful experience. Keep up the great work!
REARDON ERIN
13th June 2023
The whole trip was wondaful!! they spotted the whales really fast, and we were always doing or seeing something! I absolutely loved the dolphins, and I learnt so many facts about the whales that I didn't know. Thank you so much for an amazing trip!
BECKY SMITH
12th June 2023
Best experience with a super organized team. Was a perfect day, watched 3 different sperm whales in just two hours. Awesome!
Jan Beránek
11th June 2023
Amazing! All of the staff were incredibly friendly and the tour itself was simply magical. We got to see three sperm whales and a tiny mink(?)whale. Absolutely stunning and well worth it ????????
Felicity Clairet
9th June 2023
It is a really nice experience, seen beautiful whales and the team was very enthusiastic. I loved the commentary and the enthusiasm of the crew when we spotted a whale. Communication was good, as was making the booking etc. and it is definitely worth the money (also when there is no winter sale).
WEPPELMAN DANIËL
8th June 2023
Absolutely loved it as did the kids. They were so pumped to see sperm whales, dolphins, albatross and seals. The trip was well organized and ran smoothly. Seemed to be operating under the premise of disturbing the wildlife as little as possible which I appreciated.
HAWKRIDGE FELICITY
6th June 2023
We went on the tour at King's Birthday weekend with my family and my parents, my dad is in a wheelchair. Not only did we all have an amazing time due to the staff and seeing whales, dolphins, seals, birds and all sorts. I was super impressed on how my dad was treated, with him sitting by the window, all staff made the effort and made sure he saw everything we saw and made sure his view wasn't blocked by others. I was worried that he wouldn't see everything but didn't need to be. THANK YOU so much to the crew and captain on the 1245pm Sat 3rd June sailing. You made my dad's day!!!! As he put it - he had a F**n great time""
Melissa Brown
5th June 2023
Great Team, Great Boat, amazing experience! The captain and the crew manage to bring us up close to 3 different whales with 4 dives in total! We also manage to see Orcas which was a really big plus, but we know was kind of rare! Plenty of dolphins and albatrosses and other sea birds! Definitely recommend.
Gabriele Zangarelli
MAY 2023
29th May 2023
This was the best experience we had in New Zealand! We saw whales, so many dolphins and seals up close, all without intruding on them. Loved it! The personnel were also very knowledgeable and knew what they were doing. Toilets at the facility and on board the vessel were acceptably clean too!
Denise Tham
27th May 2023
Kia ora crew, everything from making our booking to checking in and the cruise itself was super friendly, relatable, smooth and professional. The commentary aboard the boat was fabulous, knowledgeable, easy to listen to and informative. All up we rate you guys 5 stars out of 5! (think Travel Guides on tv) You fellas rock Nga mihi.
Hewitt
25th May 2023
Thanks for an amazing experience today in pristine conditions and a humpback and sperm whale!!! Such wonderful staff thanks Mel, such a great captain. Sarra also great!! We even listened to the hydro phone and heard the whale communicating and clicking in the water. Also, loved the Captain's Cabin option with incredible views and a private space to walk around and view the whales from the top deck.
Lucy Burrows
24th May 2023
The tour was great! Commentary was knowledgeable, facilities were well kept, saw multiple whales and so many dolphins. 10/10!
April Chaput
22nd May 2023
We were very pleased with the whale watching tour. The staff was very helpful and so I was able to enjoy the trip as a wheelchair user.
Silvia Morgenthaler
18th May 2023
Stunning. The scenery is breathtaking Great commentary amazing wildlife seen on the trip Value for money Would go again.
Leanna Duncan
15th May 2023
Wonderfully, I felt looked after and cared for regarding the sea sickness. The trip was full of knowledge, and I felt much better educated regarding the Whale. Thank you so much for the outstanding effort to track down the unforgettable sight of a surfaced whale. The memory will stay with me forever and that - is priceless.
Spencer Denise
10th May 2023
Wonderful trip with Sperm whale-watching, Dusky and Hector´s dolphins and fur seals. Very nice crew, delicious food and absolutely worth to stay in the VIP-cabin!
Vogt Sibylle
9th May 2023
Amazing tour where we saw lots of dolphins and a sperm whale. During the tour we learned a lot of interesting facts about all sorts of wildlife that lives in the sea around Kaikoura. Would recommend to anyone who's in the area.
Gressler Jana
8th May 2023
The trip was amazing. Very informative about how you search for the whales and great clips to watch on the return leg.
Tingay Maggie
6th May 2023
Whale and dolphin watching at Kaikoura. In my humble opinion the best such experience in New Zealand. These guys deliver a very professional and customer centric experience. Highly recommend.
David Nuttall
2nd May 2023
Wonderful! Staff are knowledgeable about marine animals, and the captain was excellent in locating whales! Seeing sperm whale, dusky dolphins and sea seal was such a pleasure. Really enjoyed the trip.
Poon Hiu Yan
1st May 2023
Have done the tour twice, amazing seeing of Sperm Whales both times, and a pod of dolphins tagged along. Staff is very knowledgeable and respectful of nature, great experience! Highly recommend!
Camille Boujassy
APRIL 2023
28th April 2023
Epic 10/10 experience. We got so lucky with the weather and the amount of wildlife we saw but the whole experience was extremely outstandingly professional.
Kerence Stephen
24th April 2023
Exactly as promised. Unforgettable experience. We saw a whale followed by what can only be described as a massive pod of dolphins who gave us a fantastic show. The boat and the crew were perfect and informative. The VIP experience was well worth it too.
WATSON
21st April 2023
Captain went above and beyond to find a whale on this tour and ultimately was extremely successful, great close encounter with sperm whale and then some great close ups of very playful dolphins. Great tour.
KELLY DENIS
20th April 2023
We had a great trip; we saw 2 whales and a large pod of dolphins and also some hector's dolphins' staff were very helpful and knowledgeable.
EGAN BLAIR
19th April 2023
What a great experience. Even though the seas were a little rough, we got up close to the whales as promised. The knowledgeable crew made this possible. We also enjoyed seeing the other marine life, including hundreds of dusky dolphins. Would highly recommend this trip. ????
15th April 2023
I loved the experience and would go again any time! The overall care by the crew was splendid and I felt their excitement about the sighting of any animal we came across wasn’t just show, be it an albatross, a petrel or of course the big fellas, the whales…
LEPPIEN KAREN
May 2021
We had a choice of activities and so pleased we chose whale watching. What a fantastic experience. The booking over the phone was easy, as was the check-in process. This company is the epitome of fantastic customer service at every touch point! We had the lovely Lisa as our bus driver and what a breath of fresh air she was, gave us a good explanation of what we could expect and showed such passion for her job and the company. Sam, our host on the boat was informative and funny throughout the whole experience, even though I’m sure she does this multiple times a day, it still felt we were treated with respect and valued as paying customers. There was not one moment that we didn’t know what was going on. Safety was first and foremost and the new boat is well designed to give maximum viewing opportunities as well as places to stand/hold onto to get optimum viewing. We were lucky to see a sperm whale which was truly special and saw a huge pod of dolphins on the way back which stayed with us for quite a while, what a bonus! I would highly recommend this company and experience, it’s good for all ages. I really appreciated Lisa’s heartfelt authentic “thank you for choosing local and for supporting our company” on the way back on the bus. Thank you for a fantastic day.
May 2021
We both immensely enjoyed the Kaikoura whale watch, it was a cool blustery day, but they were fabulous boat handled it superbly, The Crew we’re very good at communicating with the Passengers, and we were in awe of the interaction with the Whales, Dolphins, And the Bird life, an absolute must do in Kaikoura????
March 2021
We were SO lucky! Calm seas, two Sperm whales resting between dives, albatross, petrels, fur seals and to cap it all off, a pod of over 100 Dusky dolphin frolicking in the waters of South Bay on our return.
A bit of a wait with little communication before leaving but this was more than made up for by the crew who take their duties and customer care to heart.
Worth every cent!
March 2021
We went on the Whale Watching in Kaikoura by boat. It was for both of us a thing on our "list" to do and were looking forward to it for days. And we had the best experience ever! The crew was absolutely great and informative about everything that was there to know. We were so lucky to see not one but two Sperm whales! Very lucky indeed. We also enjoyed the boat's trip - again lucky to have had the trip on their newest boat. Great!! Very enjoyable trip and we would do it again if in Kaikoura- so much to see and learn. We even got a very close look at a Royal Albatross- perfect day on sea.
Feb 2021
We had an awesome day out. Saw the sperm whale and pods of dolphins. Lots of information was given about the whales. A great day out.
Feb 2021
We experienced the Whale Watch Tour in the Ocean Cabin.
Prior to confirming our booking, we were given a warning that we could experience sea sickness due to the sea & weather conditions. We were given the option to not go ahead, however we chose to proceed.
Luckily for us we saw at least 4 sperm whales on our excursion. It does take a while to get out to deeper waters, but the boat was comfortable and nicely air conditioned to help prevent sea sickness. The advantage of being in the Ocean Cabin is that you can watch the staff use the underwater microphone to locate the whales and then listen to them relay to the captain what they heard.
We found the staff were incredibly friendly, and we loved the commentary and facts throughout the trip.
January 2021
Such a great tour to experience. The boat ride, seeing whales and also dolphins on our way back was awesome. Our commentator was great and entertaining also.
January 2021
We saw one of the resident sperm whales dive twice. Then moved to another location and saw the beautiful hectors dolphins. Also saw a blue shark and lots of sea birds. Would highly recommend this experience. The trip was well organized and the team were very knowledgeable.
January 2021
We were lucky enough to go whale watching with Whale Watch Kaikoura. We were even luckier to see one of these majestic whales on the trip. It was a bucket list moment. We then saw dozens of dusky dolphins who swam with the boat for quite a while. If you’re not sure about doing this, don’t hesitate. I will never forget it. Even my husband who gets seasick (it was quite a rough ride) forgot all about it once he saw the sea life.
July 2020
The friendliness of the staff and the incredible knowledge experience and efficiency all staff member showed in order to give us such an incredible experience.
July 2020
All the different whales, seals and birds are amazing. There were facts I never knew about whales and the trip felt amazing.
July 2020
Great and funny staff who make sure we have a good time! Plenty of space on the boat for everybody to watch the whales from close. We are also looking for other species which is great!
July 2020
Everything, staff, boat, all so professional and knowledgeable. Thanks for an awesome experience.
July 2020
It was professional, friendly and a totally awesome experience- thank you.
July 2020
Amazing. So lucky to see so many whales.
July 2020
All the amazing wildlife we saw and the wonderful crew!
March 2020
The stillness and tranquility of the majestic sperm whale and the informative happy friendly staff
March 2020
Knowledge and commentary of crew. Safety briefings and care. Identification of whale seen and the various albatross. Outstanding trip. Large pods of dolphins close to shore an absolute bonus.
March 2020
Knowledgeable crew, even knew when the sperm whale would show its tail, lots of information and also attention for other wildlife such as fur seals and albatross.
March 2020
Saw 2 beautiful, magnificent creatures and a playful pod of dolphins, Great narration by Jourdan.
March 2020
We booked the evening before the tour and the lady was very helpful to find the perfect tour for us. On the boat Lucy was a very intriguing guide. The information given was well selected, not too much. I was nervous, that we’ll have to sit inside the whole time, but we were outside mostly. We also had 3 whale encounters and could see a bunch of dolphins. Made me really happy!!! I can recommend this tour highly.
March 2020
Amazing experience! The crew were awesome too, Allan, jack & Shannon. Thank you so much.
March 2020
Seeing the whales obviously, but also the friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff on board the boat. The whole experience was wonderful, and I would highly recommend it to my friends and family. Thanks, from Australia.
March 2020
The overall experience, really well done, and we saw 2 sperm whales and lots of dolphins.
February 2020
Saw 5 whales, 3 different kinds! Loved the conservation talk, and crew was great.
February 2020
All just so extremely well organized, efficient and interesting. I was very surprised to see what a large operation this is, and I am highly impressed by the professionalism, knowledge, warmth, kindness and competence of every person in the team. A really, really enjoyable and interesting trip, for so many people every day.
February 2020
Seeing two sperm whales diving and two male orca whales plus various bird life and seals, Annika the guide was excellent and very knowledgeable, the boat was very comfortable with good seats, and I love going fast on the sea!
February 2020
Seeing a Sperm Whale close-up and watching it dive. Also, Jaegan's commentary was excellent and very informative and entertaining. Hats off to the whole crew, they were all amazing!
February 2020
The crew were great, scenery stunning, whale phenomenal, albatrosses amazing!
February 2020
Hadley was a great narrator and the whole experience was excellent. Seeing the sperm Whale was something to treasure for a lifetime.
February 2020
The whales and the effort the crew put into locating them and keeping us updated on what was happening as well as all the other wildlife that turned up. EXCELLENT WORK GUYS
February 2020
The amazing trip for us to see whale, fur seals and albatrosses. The crews are very nice and professional. We had a pleasant journey on the cruise.
February 2020
A spectacular tour photographed the whales. The skipper, spotter and crew worked hard to locate for us. Great commentary.
January 2020
Fantastic experience, friendly knowledgeable and approachable staff. Awesome to see a sperm whale and also a humpback!
January 2020
The entire experience was AMAZING! Thanks so much to the crew especially Annika who was extremely informative and interesting. Seeing the whales in their environment was stunning.
January 2020
Seeing 2 whales, hectors dolphins and albatross. Great informative guide and absolutely was a once in a lifetime experience!
January 2020
Funny guide, so many interesting information’s about the wildlife in the ocean, seeing a whale and experience the calmness of one of the biggest creatures on earth!
January 2020
We were very fortunate to see a whale, dolphins, albatross and seals. The crew were excellent, informative & amusing. Great morning out.
January 2020
The crew were absolutely fantastic. Lucy was so funny and knowledgeable. It is by far the most amazing tour I have been on. I have visited Kaikoura 6 years ago and cannot believe I missed something this special. I want to thank you and your beautiful country for this experience and for inspiring me to explore a career with wildlife.
January 2020
Our guide Lucy on the boat was great, her knowledge & communication throughout the trip was awesome. The sighting of a sperm Whale was breath-taking. And thank you so much to our Captain Shan for his persistence in finding Hector’s Dolphin.
January 2020
It was amazing to see a sperm whale for the first time in my life. Also, to see so many dusky dolphins and albatrosses, thanks!
January 2020
The sighting of another whale other than a sperm and the pod of dusky dolphins on the way back in topped off the experience.
January 2020
The crew were amazing we saw a pod of orcas, dolphins and then a sperm whale. Fantastic trip I highly recommend.
January 2020
The crew was absolutely fantastic with finding the whales and I especially valued all the information we got in board. So extremely interesting. You do such a good job on educating people on whales in a fun and educative way. Very well done!
December 2019
The fact that we saw so much in that short amount of time and that we were not just wandering, there were specific was to easily find what we were looking for.
December 2019
We had the chance to see both whales AND hundreds of dolphins! Fantastic crew, very friendly and passionate about their job.
December 2019
I was so in love with Jack and Arthur and Roger and his crew. We had the most amazing journey, and it was by far the best thing I did on the South Island, and I went to Milford Sound. I stopped back through just to give my feedback. Thanks to the crew.
December 2019
The most wonderful trip. We saw sperm and humpback whales, as well as playful dolphins. Our narrator was fantastic, knowledgeable and funny too! Super trip.
December 2019
Super friendly staff who had heaps of interesting information about the marine life for us and of course seeing dolphins as well as whales and seals. We sort of got everything we wanted to see.
December 2019
We saw so much, sperm whale, orca and dusky dolphins the crew were all fantastic. Thanks so much for a brilliant trip.
December 2019
The crew members were so lovely and friendly! We saw whales, dolphins and amazing views so it was a big success :)
December 2019
Friendly knowledgeable crew, and two amazing whale sightings, plus dusky dolphins too. Our holiday highlight. Thank you!!
December 2019
It was brilliant. We were very lucky to have 7 sightings, and see dusky dolphins breeding, but we never felt rushed, and the staff were as excited as were. Brilliant commentary and team on the boat
December 2019
The love and enthusiasm of the crew, the beauty of the animals and all the information about culture, conscious traveling and animals. A message to love, appreciate and sustain the planet. Beautiful!
December 2019
Two sperm whales, one humpback whale, many dolphins, several albatrosses, a few seals and, last but not least, an excellent crew!
December 2019
Tearing up is a very rare thing for me, but I did here. Is it wrong that I love these whales more than my country?
December 2019
All of the wildlife, the amazing staff. Will recommend to everyone. The best experience i have ever had. Staff were friendly and fabulous with so much useful information.
December 2019
Beautiful sighting of 3 whales. Very helpful and courteous staff
December 2019
Incredible experience!!! Great team on board, lots of knowledge shared, fun facts, Great Spirit of conservation, great sense of humor :) I learned a lot! It has been by far my most incredible tour on this trip in NZ!! Was in tears by the end of the tour, extremely happy tears! :p Thank you so much to everyone and keep up the wonderful work you’re all doing! :D
December 2019
We saw a sperm whale and hundreds of dusky dolphins. Our guide was telling a lot of interesting information about the marine life and geography.
December 2019
We had the chance to see both whales AND hundreds of dolphins! Fantastic crew, very friendly and passionate about their job.
December 2019
The most wonderful trip. We saw sperm and humpback whales, as well as playful dolphins. Our narrator was fantastic, knowledgeable and funny too! Super trip.
December 2019
Super friendly staff who had heaps of interesting information about the marine life for us and of course seeing dolphins as well as whales and seals. We sort of got everything we wanted to see.
December 2019
We saw a lot of animals and the crew was absolutely friendly and well informed! Great experience!
November 2019
Excellent boat tour! Alan was really enthusiastic about the wildlife we saw, and we had the opportunity to see sperm whales, hectors dolphins, seals and albatrosses? It was simply amazing.
November 2019
The service, highly helpful staff and crew members on board. Best place to experience the whale watch in NZ.
November 2019
Thank you for making my lifelong dream of meeting a whale come true. As a marine biologist with a masters in ecology I very much enjoyed the combination of info and the beautiful tour. You do a great job at science communication, and I love how many people you get to meet and open their eyes to the wonder that is the ocean. Thank you again, keep up the good work
November 2019
I have been whale watching throughout the world and never seen one until today! Thanks so much, 2 sperm whale & 2 humpback: So happy!!!
November 2019
We saw a Sperm Whale, the one the WW people call Holey Moley. Saw him dive with the tail above the water as he went down. A privilege to see such a special animal in the Ocean. Also saw a school of Dusky Dolphins... lots of them!! Thanks to the guys, especially Zac for making it interesting and fun.
November 2019
Really good explanations from Jack (sorry for butchering the name). The company and the crew seem quite respectful when it comes to animals and conservation of wildlife in general. They spread really important message towards wildlife and environment protection. Great tour we really appreciated it.
November 2019
Seeing a whale and a large pod of dolphins. Crew were great and incredibly passionate. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing home with us.
November 2019
Very well organized, committed, enthusiastic staff great facilities and of course amazing sea mammals and birds in breath-taking scenery.
November 2019
It was an amazing tour from beginning to the end. The crew was friendly, professional and told us everything we need to know about the sperm whale. The highlight was that we didn’t just saw one sperm whale but two. Jonah and Tiaki. Thank you very much for that trip.
November 2019
Wonderful commentary and a very enjoyable boat ride with amazing wildlife encounters!
November 2019
The whole experience. Very emotional seeing the sperm whale. You made one of our bucket list come true.
November 2019
The Staff’s dedication, the narrator was brilliant, Jack the spotter was superb, and the captain was awesome...and of course Jonah was the star of the show.
November 2019
Awesome staff especially Tiaki great commentary. Seeing the whale was the icing on the cake.
November 2019
The professionalism of all the boat crew who were superb. We were fortunate enough to see some whales, dolphins and seals. An awesome experience. Massive thanks to all concerned.
November 2019
Hadley is fantastic, the cruise was wonderful, saw sperm whale dolphins & seal,
November 2019
The whole experience. Very emotional seeing the sperm whale. You made one of our bucket list come true.
October 2019
Great commentary and whole experience from beginning to end. Really respectfully done.
October 2019
Friendly knowledgeable staff, saw dolphins close up and whales pretty well. Mel was especially humorous with her narrating.
October 2019
Humpbacks breaching! Saw whales in Monterey too but Kaikoura also has a totally spectacular backdrop. Wow!!!
October 2019
All of it well organized and lots of fantastic info about the wildlife and the country
October 2019
Friendly knowledgeable staff, saw dolphins close up and whales pretty well. Mel was especially humorous with her narrating.
October 2019
Great commentary, efforts made to ensure we saw whales, dolphins, albatross.
October 2019
Amazing experience, getting so close to these incredible animals and the staff were all fantastic and super knowledgeable!
September 2019
It was a beautiful experience to see whales, seals, albatross and dolphins!
September 2019
The whole service was great from all staff, I loved the Māori welcome!
September 2019
Amazing staff that were both knowledgeable and helpful
September 2019
Awesome, once in a lifetime experience. Super friendly and helpful crew and amazing facts about sea life around Kaikoura. Many thanks again!
September 2019
Great sights of whales and dolphins and very informative presentation.
September 2019
We saw plenty of pilot whales which was amazing. We also appreciated the professionalism of the staff and their enthusiasm from the trip's success.
September 2019
The albatross and whale views were amazing! Lucy was super knowledgeable and made it so fun. We love how the importance of protecting the wildlife is key to this eco-tourism.
September 2019
BLUE WHALES EVERYWHERE!!!!
September 2019
Seeing orcas come right up to the boat! That was really spectacular.
September 2019
Seeing the whales and the large pod of Orcas was just amazing the crew were awesome with everything and the staff on the ground were brilliant many thanks for the best day ever.
September 2019
Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. Appreciated the professional way the whales were approached.
August 2019
Friendly and very informative staff. An experience I didn’t expect to see so many things and will never forget.
August 2019
Great service and fantastic staff, crew and Captains. Give those guys a raise! Thanks for a wonderful morning out!
August 2019
Great friendly crew and an amazing experience
August 2019
Excellent care for all passengers, warm and friendly staff, saw 2 whales up close, timely advance warning to help us get photos, lots of interesting information too between stops.
August 2019
Everything was amazing! Super crew, and we got very lucky with the weather and wildlife.
August 2019
The whole experience was amazing, well organized, efficient staff, very comfortable boat. Most importantly we saw 4 sperm whales. Loved it, one of the best tours we have ever been on.
August 2019
Wonderful staff and a great watching experience!
July 2019
Excellent tour with lots of info and passionate guides
July 2019
It was amazing, informative and I loved the dolphins.
July 2019
The knowledge and helpfulness of the staff was awesome! Especially the young dude narrating.
July 2019
Awesome guide, lots of whales!
July 2019
The service and the staff were excellent. Great experience!
July 2019
6 whale encounters plus dusky dolphins and seals equals wow!
July 2019
The commentator was fantastic, made everyone laugh and smile and very relaxed!
June 2019
The fact that we got to see 3 sperm whales on the trip + the amazing crew, start to finish everyone was super friendly, from check-in to the cafe staff and then crew on board.
June 2019
The whole experience was awesome, the crew on board were fantastic and incredibly informative. Thank you so much.
June 2019
It was our 25th wedding anniversary on Monday. We made a last-minute decision to come and we kept our fingers crossed all the way from our home in Blenheim, hoping that the road works would allow us to get to you on time. I cannot think of a better way for us to have spent the day, sailing off the beautiful Kaikoura coast and at last seeing your kaitiaki, Aoraki. It was a very emotional experience. Just stunning. Thank you so much. Your staff were wonderful - professional and knowledgeable, we felt that we were in very safe hands. I wish you continued success in your business. You truly did give us an unforgettable experience.
June 2019
Hadlee - You truly were fab. Passionate, enthusiastic and your love for the wildlife shines through. Really made my day along with other fab crew members. Thanks a bunch.
June 2019
Great narration and info throughout. Perfect whale and dolphin show! Many thanks
May 2019
Returning after a trip 18 years ago with my mother when we saw 5 whales, dolphins and seals. it was thrilling to see another whale today. The crew was outstanding! You provide an excellent & meaningful experience. So happy my husband could experience it with me today.
May 2019
I enjoyed the cultural representation as well as the conservation message that was given. The whale sighting was fantastic, and the staff and crew were very friendly and knowledgeable.
May 2019
Such an amazing experience today we saw so much wildlife, and the staff was extremely knowledgeable about it. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone. A very beautiful and enlightening experience. Thank you!
May 2019
We got to see the Humpback Whale and the Sperm whale! The staff were great and very entertaining. Two thumbs up!!
May 2019
The crew were absolutely fantastic and so friendly. We saw three whales, tons of dolphins, albatross etc. A once in a lifetime experience, we loved it.
April 2019
Once in a lifetime experience, the feeling is simply indescribable. Very professional and friendly staff and crew, perfect organization and amazing educational experience.
April 2019
As impressive was the crew: their undeniable passion, knowledge and genuine interest in making the trip memorable for their customers. Keep up the good work. Thanks so very much for sharing.
April 2019
Great crew on the boat who made the most of wildlife viewing opportunities. 2 sperm whales and a huge pod of dolphins. They were very informative and kept people advised of what was going on and where to look.
April 2019
The perfect timing to see both a sperm whale and Orcas and also the friendly and knowledgeable crew. Thank you so much.
April 2019
The boat was comfy, the staff were amazingly charismatic but obviously the animals stole the show. Also loved the message of taking care of our planet.
April 2019
What wowed me is what animals we can see such as the orca, the dusky dolphin and the killer whale. I have heard an impressive amount of knowledge about the marine animals in the short 2 hours and 15 minutes. It was a great experience for me, thanks!
April 2019
Great experience from start to finish and saw lots of whales.
April 2019
The commitment of the crew, even though we didn’t find whales they took us to see dolphins and told us loads about the surrounding wildlife. It was amazing!
April 2019
Sperm whale AND loads of dusky dolphins! It was awesome, and the crew were great! Thanks!
March 2019
The total experience was 100%. The enjoyment and friendliness shared with the crew made our day. The whale encounter was sublime. Thanks....
March 2019
Wonderful trip with great staff welcoming all on boat fantastic commentary from Amelia, who was so knowledgeable and warm. Ngai Tahu have created something for all to share and enjoy. We are so proud of you. AMELIAS KARAAKIA AT THE END WAS EMOTIONAL AND BEAUTIFUL. Thank you.
March 2019
The staff is very knowledgeable and caring, both about their ocean and its wildlife, and its guests. Truly a wonderful experience which is essential to anyone who steps foot in New Zealand.
March 2019
We saw 8 Orca, 2 sperm whales, 300 dolphins, 2 seals and an albatross. Also, really lovely crew
March 2019
Your staff are all incredible and captivating (we were on a boat with Amelia, Shannon and Te). There is so much history and a wealth of knowledge that you shared- thank you!! I have been keeping up to date with your Instagram account, which was keeping me going through all my exams before this holiday. With all the amazing footage on there, this trip did not disappoint.
March 2019
Fantastic trip out. Very well organized. Historical and cultural talks throughout added to the overall experience. All crew were brilliant, big thanks to Arthur!
March 2019
What didn’t wow us? 2 whale sightings, loads of dolphins and wonderful staff. Loved every minute!
March 2019
All-inclusive tour - Sperm whale (2x), Dolphins (3 types), seals, birds (incl. Albatross)! Perfect spotter, cool crew! Thank you for a great time!
March 2019
Fantastic really great to see Blue whale mother and child, sperm whales diving and playful Hectors dolphins.
March 2019
Blue Whales, sperm whales, Hector's dolphins! Experience of a lifetime, the whole journey from checkin to getting back was fantastic.
March 2019
The animals are amazing, the videos very interesting and the guides super friendly! We had a mesmerizing day! Thank you!
March 2019
Amazing, fantastic trip, mother and baby rare blue whales, 3 sperm whales and a pod of rare Hectors, penguins. We were very lucky, and the staff could not have been more enthusiastic!
March 2019
Amazing beyond what we ever expected. Highly recommended to everyone just WOW THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH
February 2019
This is my 5th time with whale watch Kaikoura, and I have never been disappointed.
February 2019
Incredible trip. The whole team on board made sure we had the best experience.
February 2019
Friendly and competent staff, astonishing animals and nature, Thanks a lot for this awesome trip.
February 2019
The whole experience from crew to the boat to the sperm whales itself. Simply fabulous!
February 2019
The organization was 1st class, and I had a brilliant experience - saw a sperm whale and two blue whales.
February 2019
We went on the nature trip as the seas were too rough for whale watching but it was fabulous! Saw loads of dusky dolphins all-round the boat, along with seals and albatrosses. Crew was great. So friendly, interesting and informative. would definitely recommend!
February 2019
The service of all staff towards passengers of all abilities was exceptional. The whole experience from booking through to getting back to dry land was fantastic. Feel so privileged to be able to see Holey Moley (sperm whale) in all his glory. What an experience!!!
February 2019
Outstanding in every way. We booked from the UK and weren’t quite sure what to expect but without doubt underestimated every aspect of this brilliant experience. Out crew were all amazing but especially our guide Lucy. We were lucky enough to see 2 sperm whales on a beautiful day but will take home the Tiaki message of respect. Thank you all.
February 2019
Amazing trip girls were amazing. Got to tick off the last of my whale sightings with you guys and I thank you! Can finally say I’ve seen them all!
January 2019
Excellent knowledgeable and friendly staff. Many sightings of wonderful marine life. Very well-presented information, perfect narration and all together a perfect day out on the ocean. Thanks for the beautiful experience!
January 2019
The service was fantastic, the boat was clean, there were so many dolphins and whales on our visit!!! Excellent!
January 2019
Wonderful crew, full of enthusiasm and information, and incredible whale and dolphin encounters, thank you!
January 2019
The staff is so passionate about the sea and about their job and they were so excited to show us different sea creatures! They gave us lots of fun facts and information about every creature we saw, and they did not hesitate to extend our trip for a few minutes (3 times) to show us something they spotted. Amazing experience!
January 2019
We saw 2 sperm whales that was amazing, moreover the tour is really well conceived with explanation videos and very professional staff.
January 2019
Seeing the whale and the knowledge that the host delivered. The host had a very clear voice and spoke extremely well.
January 2019
Well organized, excellent boat and crew, timely, 4 whales!
January 2019
Good staff, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Saw 4, which exceeded expectations.
January 2019
The dolphins and whales are amazing,I have a very great time! Happy New Year to New Zealand