795
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Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
Earn 2 Airpoints Dollars™ for every $100 you spend
Embark on an aerial journey in Kaikoura, where you'll witness majestic sperm whales, playful dolphins, and breathtaking landscapes from the skies. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the wonders of marine life and scenic beauty all in one incredible journey.
Embark on an aerial journey in Kaikoura, where you'll witness majestic sperm whales, playful dolphins, and breathtaking landscapes from the skies. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the wonders of marine life and scenic beauty all in one incredible journey.
Highlights
- 30+ years of whale watching experience with a 100% safety record
- Top rated customer reviews
- Breath-taking Kaikoura Scenery
- Enjoy informative commentary through listening headsets
- Community Owed & Operated Organisation
- Qualmark Silver Award
Experience Kaikoura's most spectacular marine scenic flight with the region's most experienced flight operator!
From the comfort of your window seat, witness the awe-inspiring beauty of whales, dolphins, and breathtaking scenery. Only from the air can you truly grasp the sheer size of the majestic sperm whale in its natural habitat, providing unparalleled photographic opportunities. During our flight, you might also encounter dusky dolphins, humpback whales, blue whales, orca, and other fascinating marine creatures. After the exhilarating whale encounter, we'll take you on a scenic journey over Kaikoura and its stunning surroundings, with the snow-clad peaks of the Kaikoura mountains and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean as an impressive backdrop.
At Air Kaikoura, we're a small, friendly, locally operated business with a passionate team dedicated to providing you with the experience of a lifetime. While we can't guarantee wildlife sightings as we're observing animals in their natural habitat, we boast an impressive 95% success rate and always provide honest assessments of the day's chances for whale sightings.
Our Scenic Whale Watching Flight offers you the best odds of spotting these magnificent creatures from the air.
Available Bookings from 16 Jan to 29 Jan 2026
Change Dates
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
Fri 16 Jan
Sat 17 Jan
Sun 18 Jan
Mon 19 Jan
Tue 20 Jan
Wed 21 Jan
Thu 22 Jan
Fri 23 Jan
Sat 24 Jan
Sun 25 Jan
Mon 26 Jan
Tue 27 Jan
Wed 28 Jan
Thu 29 Jan
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$229.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$193.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$219.00
- Child$99.99
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.99
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$219.00
- Child$99.99
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.99
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$195.00
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
The boats give you an idea just how big the sperm whale is
Daniel Epps from
Australia
Fantastic experience
Richard from
United Kingdom
Fantastic experience
Richard from
United Kingdom
Super!
Sabrina Reis from
Germany
Super!
Sabrina Reis from
Germany
Super!
Sabrina Reis from
Germany
No whales this time
Wyn from
NZ
No whales this time
Wyn from
NZ
No whales this time
Wyn from
NZ
großartiges Erlebnis, das wir nie vergessen werden
Ann-Kathrin from
Germany
Amazing experience
ieva viksne from
Latvia
Amazing experience
ieva viksne from
Latvia
Thanks air kaikoura. Awesome experiance
mukesh007 from
NZ
Fantastic whale watching flight with Air Kaikoura
venkatramanan from
Singapore
Fantastic whale watching flight with Air Kaikoura
venkatramanan from
Singapore
Fantastic whale watching flight with Air Kaikoura
venkatramanan from
Singapore
Incredible whale watching experience
Desiree Sheehan from
Australia
Incredible whale watching experience
Desiree Sheehan from
Australia
Incredible whale watching experience
Desiree Sheehan from
Australia
Loved it!
Jacob from
NZ
Loved it!
Jacob from
NZ
Excellent!!
leanned2 from
NZ
Excellent!!
leanned2 from
NZ
Excellent!!
leanned2 from
NZ
Amazing Experience
kamilal from
NZ
Amazing Experience
kamilal from
NZ
Amazing Experience
kamilal from
NZ
Great views
bridgetr6 from
NZ
Great views
bridgetr6 from
NZ
Great views
bridgetr6 from
NZ
Incredible
Owen Wootton-Haley from
United Kingdom
Best pilot in town
Peter Baadsmand from
Denmark
Best pilot in town
Peter Baadsmand from
Denmark
Best pilot in town
Peter Baadsmand from
Denmark
Amazing Experience!!
lulettec from
NZ
Amazing Experience!!
lulettec from
NZ
Amazing Experience!!
lulettec from
NZ
Q
qiu from
China
Q
qiu from
China
Fantastic experience
mandah from
NZ
Whale watching
rebec from
Singapore
Loved it
Salla Lammassaari from
Finland
Super Erlebnis!
sandran3 from
Austria
Super Erlebnis!
sandran3 from
Austria
Amazing experience
jensk from
Germany
Amazing experience
jensk from
Germany
Amazing experience
jensk from
Germany
Tolle Erfahrung! :)
Alexandra Teichmann from
Germany
Epic
Andrew Connor from
Australia
Epic
Andrew Connor from
Australia
The best NZ experience
Manon Kaeppler from
Netherlands
The best NZ experience
Manon Kaeppler from
Netherlands
很棒的体验。
zhi chen from
China
Whale watching
Debbie Otten from
NZ
Whale watching
Debbie Otten from
NZ
Whale watching
John Otten from
NZ
Once in a lifetime flight
Gemma Fitzgerald from
NZ
Ms
yangl from
NZ
Ms
yangl from
NZ
Awesome
helenal3 from
NZ
Awesome
helenal3 from
NZ
Awesome experience
YaChun Liao from
Taiwan
Best experience
Riria from
NZ
What a great day!
wenfeil from
NZ
What a great day!
wenfeil from
NZ
Stunning
Lisa from
NZ
Excellent Experience
bananacatty69 from
NZ
Excellent Experience
bananacatty69 from
NZ
Excellent Experience
bananacatty69 from
NZ
A must do activity
Sandy Brinsdon from
NZ
A must do activity
Sandy Brinsdon from
NZ
Mrs
nickolam from
NZ
Mrs
nickolam from
NZ
What a view!
Danielle from
NZ
What a view!
Danielle from
NZ
Amazing crew
billt from
NZ
Amazing crew
billt from
NZ
Amazing crew
billt from
NZ
Searching for whales
robertab from
NZ
Searching for whales
robertab from
NZ
Great family experience.
Nyaradzo from
NZ
Plane ride
Grace from
NZ
20/11/2021
Caroline from
NZ
20/11/2021
Caroline from
NZ
20/11/2021
Caroline from
NZ
Very Impressive
Margaret Hilty from
NZ
Amazing Experience
Caroline Walsh from
NZ
Amazing Experience
Caroline Walsh from
NZ
Amazing Experience
Caroline Walsh from
NZ
Awesome experience
Maggie Mackinnon from
NZ
Whales - Whales - Whales
Russell Parker from
NZ
Awesome flight
Shaw from
NZ
Awesome flight
Shaw from
NZ
Awesome flight
Shaw from
NZ
Amazing experince!
michaelav3 from
Czech Republic
Amazing experince!
michaelav3 from
Czech Republic
Amazing Adventure - we saw whales !!!
Karen Below from
NZ
Amazing Adventure - we saw whales !!!
Karen Below from
NZ
Amazing Adventure - we saw whales !!!
Karen Below from
NZ
Whale watching excursion with the kids
Carl Ritsma from
NZ
Whale watching excursion with the kids
Carl Ritsma from
NZ
Made memories at Kaikoura with Aero Club
Shweta Ghosh from
NZ
Made memories at Kaikoura with Aero Club
Shweta Ghosh from
NZ
Made memories at Kaikoura with Aero Club
Shweta Ghosh from
NZ
Amazing flight
Danielle Cummings from
NZ
Amazing flight
Danielle Cummings from
NZ
Amazing flight
Danielle Cummings from
NZ
Flying
Shirley from
NZ
Fabulous Experience
Maria Browne from
NZ
Amazing flight, must do atleast once!
Priyadarshini from
NZ
Amazing flight, must do atleast once!
Priyadarshini from
NZ
Amazing flight, must do atleast once!
Priyadarshini from
NZ
Amazing!
llinoso from
NZ
.
narenders from
NZ
.
narenders from
NZ
.
narenders from
NZ
不再相信看不鲸，可以退费！
MIN ZHAN from
China
Whale watching Kaikoura
Rewa & Simon from
NZ
Whale watching Kaikoura
Rewa & Simon from
NZ
Scenery beautiful but no sperm whales
Theresa Martinovich from
NZ
Whale watch flight
Stu Hodgson from
NZ
Whale watch flight
Stu Hodgson from
NZ
Whale belly :)
Hana Balcarova from
Czech Republic
Jess & Ed thoroughly enjoying ourselves
Jessica Fife from
NZ
Jess & Ed thoroughly enjoying ourselves
Jessica Fife from
NZ
Jess & Ed thoroughly enjoying ourselves
Jessica Fife from
NZ
Amazing experience
Vivian Xu from
NZ
Amazing experience
Vivian Xu from
NZ
Amazing experience
Vivian Xu from
NZ
Amazing wildlife
Damien from
Reunion
Amazing wildlife
Damien from
Reunion
Amazing flight
Mary from
United Kingdom
Amazing flight
Mary from
United Kingdom
Ein unglaublich toller Flug
Stephanie Titzmann from
Germany
Ein unglaublich toller Flug
Stephanie Titzmann from
Germany
Ein unglaublich toller Flug
Stephanie Titzmann from
Germany
Go there
Ralf Berres from
Germany
Go there
Ralf Berres from
Germany
Go there
Ralf Berres from
Germany
Kaikoura
Norbert from
Germany
Once in a lifetime experience
Peggy from
NZ
Once in a lifetime experience
Peggy from
NZ
Once in a lifetime experience
Peggy from
NZ
It's not just the whales that are stunning....
Clint Adamson from
NZ
It's not just the whales that are stunning....
Clint Adamson from
NZ
Amazing experience
Lisan Assen from
Netherlands
Peninsula walkway
jakobg1 from
Germany
Great place for a flight
Richard Moylan from
NZ
Great place for a flight
Richard Moylan from
NZ
Great place for a flight
Richard Moylan from
NZ
Breathtaking!
katharinah4 from
Germany
Breathtaking!
katharinah4 from
Germany
We could not see whale
Sofia Mo from
NZ
Amazing.
Kristian Otto from
NZ
Amazing.
Kristian Otto from
NZ
My once-in-a-lifetime-moment!
Sandra Rolf from
Germany
No whales, not sure about 95% success rate
marco.d from
NZ
No whales, not sure about 95% success rate
marco.d from
NZ
These pictures were taken from dslr.
sheetal Gupta from
India
These pictures were taken from dslr.
sheetal Gupta from
India
These pictures were taken from dslr.
sheetal Gupta from
India
뿍미닫컴도둗놈드라
WooRee Chae from
South Korea
Amazing flight
William Schierloh from
United States
Amazing flight
William Schierloh from
United States
Scenery pictures were an added bonus
Santana from
NZ
Scenery pictures were an added bonus
Santana from
NZ
First time seeing a whale!
Cassandra Rushton from
Singapore
Amazing experience
María from
Uruguay
Amazing experience
María from
Uruguay
Awesome sights!
Charlotte Skerratt from
United Kingdom
See Wales + enjoy mountain views
Frans Muijsson from
Netherlands
See Wales + enjoy mountain views
Frans Muijsson from
Netherlands
See Wales + enjoy mountain views
Frans Muijsson from
Netherlands
Beautifuk
Gemma Astbury from
United Kingdom
Beautifuk
Gemma Astbury from
United Kingdom
Kaikoura coastline
cherylc1 from
NZ
AMAZING
Jeremy Bastens from
Belgium
AMAZING
Jeremy Bastens from
Belgium
Could not see the whale
지성 from
South Korea
This gives a great perspective of how big these mammals are!!
Dominique Richardson from
United Kingdom
Unvergessliches Erlebnis
Julia from
Germany
Unvergessliches Erlebnis
Julia from
Germany
Kaikoura peninsula
Noémi from
France
Kaikoura peninsula
Noémi from
France
Good Experice
Ying from
Australia
Good Experice
Ying from
Australia
Good Experice
Ying from
Australia
Great Experience
Alvin from
Canada
Great Experience
Alvin from
Canada
Great Experience
Alvin from
Canada
One-of-a-kind experience!
Sarah from
United States
One-of-a-kind experience!
Sarah from
United States
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 795 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you had an amazing experience and felt safe and well looked after by our team. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the views and the coordinated whale spotting, it’s always a special sight from above. We really appreciate you flying with us and hope to see you again soon!
Linda from Germany wrote on 10 January 2026
Incredible :)
The experience itself was just breathtaking (I mean.. whales… come on). But the team behind made it even more special. So professional and kind. We can highly recommend the whale watching flight :)
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We couldn’t agree more, seeing whales really is breathtaking. We’re delighted to hear that our team helped make the experience even more special with their professionalism and kindness. Your high recommendation means a lot to us. Thank you for choosing Air Kaikoura, and we hope to welcome you back for another incredible flight in the future!
Christina Koch from Germany wrote on 09 January 2026
Great Whale watching flight
Great experience. Got a pick-up from the City. Die to Bad weather in the morning flight for cancelled, but I could easier rescheduel. Flight Ursels was Great and seeing a whale from above was awesome. Great value for the Price.
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you for your great review! We’re pleased to hear that our team was able to assist with an easy reschedule after the morning flight was cancelled due to weather. Safety always comes first, and we’re glad everything worked out smoothly. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the flight itself and the amazing experience of seeing a whale from above. We truly appreciate your kind words about the value as well. Thank you for choosing Air Kaikoura, we hope to see you again in the future!
ericr4 from New Zealand wrote on 05 January 2026
wonderful flight
nice and smooth, even if we saw no whale this day. The staff, especially the pilot, is very helpful and sympathic. I'll get another chance later.
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed a smooth flight and found our staff, especially the pilot, helpful and friendly. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, we truly appreciate your understanding and positive attitude. We’d love to welcome you back for another chance in the future and hope to share a whale sighting with you next time. Thank you for flying with Air Kaikoura!
Johanna from Germany wrote on 03 January 2026
Great experience
Enjoyed the whale watching flight with my husband. It was a great experience seeing a whole whale from top while the plane is cycling above. Switch right and left turns for all passengers to see it. Felt a little like being on a cassussel so keep that in mind when you get easily motion sick. But totally worth it. Such great views.
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the whale watching flight and the incredible top down views of the whale. Our pilots do their best to ensure everyone gets a great view by alternating turns, so it’s wonderful to hear that was appreciated. Thank you for flying with Air Kaikoura, and we hope to welcome you back again!
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Qualmark Certification
This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.
This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.
This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.
When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.
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tijn from Netherlands wrote on 10 October 2025
Recommended experience!
Overall amazing experience. Professional crew, felt really safe. Great communication. Wonderful views. Well prepared whale spotting, with a few boats scouting ahead.