Swimming with dolphins off the coast of Kaikoura has been ranked
among the top 10 most thrilling experiences in the world by travel
guide publishers Lonely Planet.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand has once again taken centre stage as a leader in
responsible tourism, with Whale Watch Kaikoura yesterday receiving
another international accolade for its world-class operations.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

Swimming with dolphins off the coast of Kaikoura has been ranked
among the top 10 most thrilling experiences in the world by travel
guide publishers Lonely Planet.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand has once again taken centre stage as a leader in
responsible tourism, with Whale Watch Kaikoura yesterday receiving
another international accolade for its world-class operations.

News and Media Releases

- Tourism New Zealand

Driving north from Christchurch for two and a half hours brings you to one of the best whale watching spots in the world. Kaikoura, one of the very few places in the world where sperm whales can be easily found, is located on the east coast of South Island. Set on the coastline, with a backdrop of towering mountains, the town looks out over the sea that is alive with marine activity.

Sperm whales populate the waters off Kaikoura all year making this area one of the most popular destinations in the world for visitors seeking the whale watching experience of a lifetime. A deep underwater canyon and an abundance of marine life provide a great habitat for these incredible mammals.

Although sperm whales are seen in the waters year round, other whales visit the waters here on their migratory route. The great Orca, or killer whale, can be spotted from December to March while the majestic humpback can be sighted during July and August. In addition, Pilot whales, Southern Right whales, and Blue whales often use these waters as a rest station during their travels. The waters are also home to the elusive Hector’s dolphin, the world’s most rare and smallest dolphin.

Tour operators in the area offer a wide range of viewing options with their accent on providing an awe inspiring experiences for their customers. A couple of companies provide viewing from an airplane or helicopter. This type of viewing gives you a real perspective on the size of these creatures. They are massive!

If viewing by sea is your pleasure, there are several companies that can accommodate you. Some like Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd have boats built for the specific purpose of giving their passengers the ultimate whale watching adventure. During tours, knowledgeable guides tell you about the whales you encounter, including the names if they are resident whale. In addition, if you are fortunate enough to see the playful Dusky dolphin and the gravely threatened Hector’s dolphin, the guide will relate information on them.

For whale watching, there really is no other place like Kaikoura to have an incredible whale experience.

With its population of around 3900 residents, the seaside town of Kaikoura has the fine distinction of attaining Green Globe Benchmark certification in 2004. This certification is a world standard for sustainable tourism and meeting environmental goals. Kaikoura is used as a community success story on the Green Globe website. For any community, overcoming the environmental challenges necessary to be certified can be extremely overwhelming.

There are endless activities for visitors to participate in and around Kaikoura with several eco-tours available. Operating out of Kaikoura, Albatross Encounter and Dolphin Encounters are two such Tours. Encounter Kaikoura owns both tours.

Offering year round boat cruises, Albatross Encounter tours will take you to see a wide variety of seabirds including thirteen different types of albatrosses. The waters off Kaikoura are renowned for the great numbers of seabirds that occupy a small area. One of the reasons for the seabirds congregating here is the deepwater trench that is close to shore and allows nutrient rich cold water to upwell over the warmer coastal water sustaining a wide variety of marine life. These tours are roughly two hours in duration and costs $110NZD per adult. Children are $55NZD for this tour.

Dolphin Encounters has been in the dolphin watching and swimming with dolphins business for around 20 years. Whether you want to swim with the dolphins or simply watch them frolic, the tour will bring you up close to the dusky dolphin. If any of your party wants to swim with the wild dolphins, it is important that you book well in advance so that they will not miss the opportunity. Unfortunately children under 5 are not allowed to go on the boats unless you have made arrangements in advance. The tour is about three hours and is reasonably priced at $80NZD for adults to dolphin watch and $150NZD per adult for the unique experience of a lifetime of swimming with wild dolphins. The cost for children is $40NZD and $140NZD respectively.

Join Kaikoura Wilderness Walks for two or three days of guided walks in the Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Range. Each day there are 5-7 hours of walks through this remarkable area with the guides giving you the information that will make this walk an experience to remember. Nights are spent at an eco-friendly lodge nestled in an alpine valley with a private balcony and incredible views from every room. The prices for this vary but they are all inclusive and children participate at a reduce cost.

Seal kayaking is a great way to spend an afternoon. Kaikoura Kayaks gives you the option of having a guided kayaking experience or, for experienced sea kayakers, a self-guided tour through the playground of NZ fur seals. These options make for an enjoyable opportunity for the novice and advanced kayaker alike. Seals, being a curious creature, will get up close and personal while they play around your kayak. Guided tours are for three hours while the self-hires are for a half or whole day. Kaikoura Kayaks also offers a unique kayak fishing experience with a fully equipped fishing kayak. Prices vary depending on the option you choose.

Kaikoura Marine Tours assists in the collection of research data to assist in the long term marine management of the area. Their eco-tours include data collection and focus on the educational aspect of the marine life around Kaikoura. Each tour is very personal as there is a maximum of 8 people per tour and lasts for three hours. Given the small groups, the cost of $120NZD per adult and $80NZD per child is money well spent.

Come and visit Kaikoura where you can embrace the great outdoors and all that it brings with it!

The details of the wedding ceremony are coming together, the reception is organized, the honeymoon destination…well, that has you in a quandary. There are just so many incredibly beautiful places around the world to choose from. It’s enough to make your head spin.

Among the destinations that are intriguing and appealing is South Island, New Zealand. This small island has so many things to do and see that it could take several weeks to satisfy your curiosity. From the Southern Alps to the fjords along the coastline, the woodland meadows to the vineyards, and everything in between will fill you with awe. The main population is located on North Island making the South Island perfect for those wanting to explore the countryside.

Nestled on the seashore, Kaikoura offers a wide range of activities including spectacular whale watching opportunities. The small resort town of Lake Tekapo, South Island’s highest town, offers some breathtaking scenery in Mackenzie Country. Known as the “Garden City”, the coastal city of Christchurch has beautiful public gardens and parks to enjoy. Established in 1856, Christchurch also has the distinction of being the New Zealand’s oldest city.

Whether you are seeking the thrill of heli-skiing or whitewater rafting, the incredible beauty of hikes through stunning countryside, tranquil walks through gorgeous gardens or woodlands, exhilarating deep sea fishing expeditions, or high alpine skiing; South Island has it all. If your taste runs toward spending a lazy day on the beach or wine tasting, you will be able to indulge in that as well. Few other areas have the vastly diverse geographic area that South Island offers and, with it, all the activities and scenery that is encompassed.

There is little more romantic than exploring the jewels of the South Island with the one you love. After an invigorating day out, you can retreat to your cozy bed & breakfast, boutique accommodations, quaint cottage, or luxury suite for a quiet, intimate evening. South Island offers a full range of accommodations so there is something for every budget and taste.

Several companies specialize in honeymoons to South Island so you do not have to flounder through bookings and decisions about where to stay and what to do. Simply tell them what you envision experiencing and leave the planning to them. Once that is done, you can cross the honeymoon planning off your To-Do list. It may be a bit more expensive to hire a company to put your honeymoon package together for you but it is worth it. You not only have that stress removed and more time to spend planning your wedding day but you also are not left wondering about the quality of your accommodations or what to do once you get there.