Whale Watching in Kaikoura - Ultimate Experience
- 30 minutes
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Experience the thrill of whale watching from the sky with Wings Over Whales! This unique activity offers unparalleled views of the resident sperm whales, the largest toothed whales in the world. From above, you’ll have the chance to see the full scale of these majestic creatures, offering you epic aerial views of both the whales and the stunning surrounding scenery. Flying over the Kaikoura Whale Sanctuary allows you to cover vast areas, increasing your chances of spotting even more marine wildlife, including dusky dolphins. As the longest-operating aerial whale watching company in Kaikoura, we’re committed to both safety and comfort. Our aircraft meet the highest safety standards, giving you peace of mind while you enjoy the ride. At Wings Over Whales, we provide not only an adventure, but a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Book your whale watching flight today for a truly unforgettable experience in the skies above Kaikoura!
Inclusions
What's included
- Hot drinks
- Gift Shop
- Pre-flight Safety Briefing
- All Fees and Taxes
- Informative presentation on Kaikoura's wildlife and geology
- Terminal Facilities
- Children's play area
- Courtesy shuttle from the town centre
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.7
- 5177
- 410
- 36
- 28
- 12
Ratings come from 203 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Great tour
Everyone had a window seat and the pilot did a great job of making sure each side of the plane had a chance to see the whales. On our flight we saw a fin whale and then a sperm whale that stayed on the surface for a long time. It's a very different perspective seeing the whales from above .... the pilot gets you quite close. Would recommend this tour.
5Wings over whales-just do it!
Wings Over Whales is a great way to see the marine animals off the coast of Kaikoura. We did a 30 minute flight on 17 November, 2025, when the humpbacks were leaving, so no guarantees we would see any. Luckily we saw one humpback and lots of dolphins, plus the amazing scenery of the coast. The pilots are experienced and excellent at their jobs, as well as genuinely nice people. Definitely worth doing.
4Weather constraint
I would like to rate 5 star. But unfortunately my session cancelled. Reschedule timing at first then cant fly due to weather. So sad i cant reschedule to another day due my trip already packed. The host is good. Refund to me on the spot. No issue. Maybe next time will try again
5Definitely worth doing
Excellent experience, Jo our pilot was very knowledgeable and kept us entertained throughout the flight and to top it all we saw whales and dolphins
5Incredible experience with lovely people
Fantastic trip. Great pilot who was understanding and accommodating to a couple of very difficult passengers. The flight before us saw a blue whale which sadly we didn’t but it wasn’t for a lack of effort or coordination from the pilot who made sure we saw all we could and had a great experience. Really helpful advice and friendly service. Will definitely use again when back next
5Perfect flight and saw two whales.
The crew at Wings over Whales were very friendly. Because of a delayed ferry we stayed in contact during the day. At the end it worked out perfectly and we were still able to go on a flight. And even beter, saw two whales swim beside each other. Something which is very uncommon the pilot told us.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Find us in our inviting log-cabin Terminal which is located at the Kaikoura Airport, an 8 minute drive south of the main Kaikoura township. Please check in at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time.
- Pickup
- Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the starting point.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 7 travellers
- Operated by
- Wings Over Whales
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Kaikōura
- Its from-price is 33% below the median of the 30 experiences we list in Kaikōura.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 7 of 30.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Kaikōura
Kaikōura is a small town on the east coast of the South Island, where mountains meet the sea and whales, dolphins and seals live close to shore.
Kaikōura sits on a peninsula on the east coast of the South Island, with the snow-capped Seaward Kaikōura Range rising almost straight from the shore. The name means meal of crayfish in Māori, and crayfish, or rock lobster, have long been the town's trade. A deep submarine canyon comes close to the coast, so that sperm whales feed offshore all year, and a walkway round the peninsula gives views of seals, seabirds and the mountains.
Top-ranked sights in Kaikōura: Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway.
Special offers in Kaikōura
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
