Tours & Activities in Kaikoura

Enjoy a unique whale watching experience off the South Island of New Zealand. Experience an up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator, the giant sperm whale. Look out for other wildlife, including seals, dolphins, and birds.

Spend quality time with one of the world's most exotic animals. You trek with your own llama, who walks on a lead, at your side, while carrying your belongings in saddle bags. Llama are highly intelligent, clever animals = requiring that you get to know them (and work with them) to successfully complete your trek. The subtle 'bond' you form with your llama companion is highly rewarding. You experienced guide will help you get to know your woolly companion. Your guide will also share a range of local Kaikoura history and information, including the extraordinary effects of the 2016 earthquake (the largest ever recorded in New Zealand) You do not ride your llama.

Embark on an eco-friendly adventure in Kaikōura, where ziplining meets sustainability, set against the backdrop of New Zealand's South Island. Explore forest and mountains on ziplines led by guides.

A half day of adventure in nature awaits you in Kaikōura, with five zipline flights, totalling 2.2km, above lush rolling farmland, native forest, an interpretive walk through a private 3,000-acre station, and a ride on custom-built 4X4 Unimog. Departing from central Kaikōura township, your journey will begin with a scenic drive, with a breathtaking backdrop of the Seaward Range and views over South Bay, this is an eco adventure not to be missed!

Head off on a kayak through the beautiful coastal waters with guaranteed seal viewing and breathtaking views of the rugged coastline. Enjoy chance encounters with dolphins and blue penguins.

Enjoy a 1hr Taster Llama Trek - along the Kowhai River banks and riverbed. Surrounded throughout by protected native woodland, and abundant wildlife.

Enjoy a plane flight to view the mighty Sperm whales of Kaikoura. See the whale in it's entirety from tip to tail, all with the amazing backdrop of coastal shores, and the epic Kaikoura Mountain Ranges.

You’re going to love how easy it is to kayak in and around the beautiful Kaikōura Peninsula using the Hobie Mirage Drive Pedal. We have a 100% success rate of viewing the New Zealand Fur Seal. There is also a lot of other marine life to view such as the blue penguin, albatross, and plenty more. Come and capture some moments with the fun and friendly fur seals playing around and under your hands-free pedal kayak in New Zealand. The kayaks we use are made by Hobie Cat, one of the leading boating and kayak companies in the world. Explore with family and friends by booking one of our New Zealand sea kayak adventures!

Enjoy a full-day trip from Christchurch to Kaikoura. Experience coastal walks, local food, and whale watching.

This one hour whale watch experience shows you the incredible marine wildlife that exists here in Kaikōura, then takes you to the tops of the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges for a landing in the peaks. During your experience with us you will be taken on a journey above one of New Zealand’s most unique areas, the underwater Kaikōura Canyon. Due to the special underwater geography of the area, it enables a huge abundance of food to be produced due to a large upwelling and mixing of both warm and cold currents. The food produced here supports a very diverse variety of marine life including many types of whales that migrate through the area such as Humpback, Southern Right, Blue, and of course our resident Sperm Whales the worlds largest toothed whale. Enjoy our longest whale watching flight to go out and spot the amazing wildlife. There is also a chance to view the resident Dusky dolphins and New Zealand fur seals before heading up into the mountains.

Glide through the water by pedaling your own kayak on a guided trip through the Kaikoura Peninsula. Travel along the dramatic coastline looking for New Zealand fur seals, penguins, and albatrosses.

Experience the magnificent wildlife and scenery from the comfort of a helicopter and see sperm whales from top to tail! See the whales, stunning mountain views, secluded mountain landing. Kaikōura is located on the the migratory routes for Humpback whales, Southern right whales, Orca, and even Blue whales depending on the time of year. You'll experience stunning vistas of the Seaward Kaikōura Mountain Ranges, as well as the Kaikōura Peninsula, and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. After whale watching, fly along the coastline spotting any other wildlife including the resident populations of Dusky dolphins as well as New Zealand fur seals, with the gorgeous backdrop of mountains and sea at every turn. If time allows, your pilot will fly you to an exclusive landing site accessible only by South Pacific Helicopters, where you can get out of the aircraft and experience incredible vistas of the mountains and sea.

Take to the skies for a unique view on a whale-watching flight over Kaikoura. With a guaranteed window seat, all passengers get great views of the coastline and its marine life below.

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. Enjoy the true Kaikoura 'where the mountains meet the sea' experience by further exploring the Seaward Kaikoura ranges and a Alpine landing with magnificent views.

Experience first hand the beauty of Kaikoura from the air! Embark on a 25 minute scenic flight exploring the coastal and alpine environment.

Enjoy a 25 minute panoramic scenic flight, with stunning scenic views of the Seaward Kaikoura ranges and a birds eye view of the Kaikoura Peninsula. After take-off, we will climb to approximately 6000 feet to fly past the back of Mount Fyffe for some true mountain flying. Experience views of snowy mountain peaks, a waterfalls or a wild deer if you have sharp vision. Next, overfly Lake Hapuku, which is a direct result of the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Your pilot will then descend towards the Hapuku river mouth and fly along the black sand beach towards the Kaikoura peninsula. Flying around the peninsula, you get to see that it is dotted with resident seals next to the turquoise ocean.

Experience Kaikoura's world-famous sunset and wildlife on a sea kayaking tour. Enjoy 100% guaranteed fur seal sightings and surreal visuals of the Kaikoura Mountains toward the end of the day.

Experience the exhilaration of flying a helicopter in the capable hands of a professional instructor. This unique experience is only available in our region with us.

Discover Kaikoura on this full-day trip from Christchurch. Enjoy a relaxing coastal walk, taste local fish and chips, and in the afternoon, go for a swim with playful dolphins on a dolphin cruise.

This tour begins with whale watching, when you head out over the Kaikōura Whale Sanctuary and Hikurangi Marine Reserve to view the incredible wildlife found in Kaikōura’s waters. Experience the magnificent sperm whale, which can be found here all year round. Kaikōura is also a migratory route for a variety of different whale and dolphin species. After viewing the abundant marine life, your trip takes you north along the rugged Kaikōura coastline. During this trip you can see the incredible changes from the 2016 earthquake that occurred in Kaikōura. The shoreline lifted up to 6 meters in places, entire mountains moved, and fault lines run out into the sea. Head into the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges for a landing at the turquoise waters of Hapuku Lake, which was created during the earthquake in 2016. Then we will fly you to the tops of the peaks for a second landing overlooking the ranges, Kaikōura Peninsula, and the Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy paddling around Kaikoura’s aquatic wonderland, taking in the views, and getting right up close to New Zealand's marine life.

Helicopters depart from our centrally located beach front helipads, lifting off on your scenic helicopter tour to view the Kaikoura Coast. Experience a birds eye view of the dramatic landscape .Allowing for great photo opportunities. Travel up the stunning Hurunui River gorge on a 30 minute return trip with Energy Jet On completion of your jet boat experience, board your helicopter for the return flight north via the Hurunui river mouth and along the coast to Kaikoura.

Enjoy scenic views with extended whale watching on an air tour over the Kaikoura region. Fly over the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains and the Kaikoura Peninsula and spot sperm whales.

Departing from our centrally located beachfront pads, skirting the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula, before climbing over 8000 feet into the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges where you get to experience the vast, rugged mountain ranges and seaward views. All from the comfort of your luxury helicopter. Take the opportunity to stand on the highest mountain outside of the Southern Alps and soak in the magnificent views of the East Coast of the South Island and Pacific Ocean.

Take an exciting helicopter ride from Kaikōura with an in-flight guide. Enjoy unbeatable views over the Seaward Kaikōura Mountain Range and see sperm whales and dolphins swimming in the Pacific Ocean.

This tour is perfect for a romantic getaway, family adventure or group of friends. We are sure that you will enjoy this unique experience and remember it forever. Fly with Kaikoura Helicopters and enjoy a delicious picnic at altitude amongst the stunning Kaikoura Seaward Ranges with 360-degree views of this unique and rugged coastline. The pilot will choose the best location on the day, where weather conditions are best and the views are finest. After a scenic flight around the lower levels of the seaward Kaikoura ranges, land at a secluded landing site. Our picnic offers spectacular views of the Kaikoura township and Peninsula. On a fine day, you can look North along the coastline to spot Wellington and South to Banks Peninsula.

Spot whales from the air and make a summit landing for 360-degree views.

Relax, sit back & enjoy a scenic flight around the Peninsula & Kaikōura Seaward mountain ranges taking in the stunning views from above, of the Pacific Ocean and Kaikōura coastline. Daniel, our chief pilot, will educate you on the surroundings and land you on Mt Fyffe. Here you can inhale the fresh mountain air and meet New Zealand's newest gin maker, Justine Schroder, owner of Mt Fyffe Distillery. Justine will pour her premium gin and tell you the story as to how the award-winning gin was launched. Drink Mt Fyffe Gin on Mt Fyffe! Mt Fyffe Distillery is a small boutique distillery in Kaikōura. Using botanics sourced from around their family farm and the local environment, led Justine to create two distinct blends of small batch artisan London dry gins. This package also includes a complimentary 375ml bottle of Woolshed Gin or Shearwater Gin. Make sure to bring a pair of sunglasses, flat soled shoes and an extra layer to fully enjoy your time up the mountain.

Taste award-winning distillery gin and take in breathtaking views of Kaikoura on a scenic helicopter flight from the airport to Mt Fyffe. Land at the distillery and taste gin in the mountain air.

This tour offers 2 different kayaking options for you to choose from: Seal Kayak tour and the Sunset Kayak Tour. It is the first kayak tour in New Zealand to offer hands free kayaking. Now with the largest human muscle group in play, kayaking becomes easier and more efficient than ever. Come get up close and personal with the New Zealand fur seal as they play around and under your hands free pedal kayak. Taking photos/selfies have never been easier now you can capture all your moments without stopping!