New Zealand Tour

1. 2.5 hours cruising to see the majestic Sperm Whale preparing for his next dive and up to 500 Dusky Dolphins playfully swimming.
2. Including check-in time and transfer by bus from Kaikoura accommodations, you should allow 3.5 hours in total.
3. Cruise on catamarans equipped with engines that minimise underwater noise and toilets that never pollute the sea. The main passenger cabin is enclosed and large outside decks offer great viewing and photo opportunities. Spacious air-conditioned interiors are fitted with comfortable seating while large plasma screens display award-winning marine wildlife animations.

Departures

Booking Confirmation:

• Confirmation E-Voucher will be sent within 24 hours of booking, subject to availability
• E-Voucher contains operator details, times and local contact telephone numbers
• This tour must be booked at least 72 hours in advance of travel

Whale Watch is New Zealand's only marine-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale.

A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross.

Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales.

Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's.

Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.

If your Whale Watch Kaikoura tour does not see a whale you will be refunded 80% of the fare.

Sperm Whales are so prolific around Kaikoura because of a deep sea trench - the Hikorangi Trench - that is generally about 3,000ft (1,000 m) deep, although it reaches about 6,000ft (2,000 m) in some areas. The shape of this trench, combined with the predominance of Northerly and Southerly tides in the area, ensures that there is an ample supply of Squid, Groper, Ling and Shark, the whales' main food sources.

At Kaikoura, whales usually spend 10 minutes on the surface breathing every 10 - 15 seconds and will take, on average, one breath for every minute that it subsequently stays submerged. When breathing, the whale re-oxygenates its approximately three tonnes of blood with the haemoglobin in the blood absorbing the oxygen. The blood is circulated around the body and the haemoglobin in turn transfers the entrained oxygen to a material called myoglobin in the muscle and body tissue. When diving, the whale does not have oxygen in its lungs, or rather does not rely on the oxygen that it has remaining in its lungs, but instead utilises the oxygen held in the blood and body tissue.

Whales typically dive and return to the surface vertically, which may explain the relative ease with which the whalers were able to hunt them. When they dive they descend at approximately 4 knots (7 - 8 kph) and return to the surface at about 5 knots (9 kph). The whales around Kaikoura normally dive down to 3,000ft (1,000m) for approximately 45 minutes; however, they are capable of diving for more than 2 hours and at other locations have been tracked to a depth of 7,000ft (approx. 2,300m) and may be able to dive to far greater depths, maybe even 10,000ft (3,300m)!

• Under 3 year olds? Unfortunately, we are not permitted to carry children under three years of age on tours.
• Sea Conditions? Tours are weather dependant, and may be subject to cancellations.
• What if I don't turn up? Refunds are not given if you do not contact us 24 hours prior to the tour checkin.
• Mobility issues? If you have any mobility issues, medical problems, or are pregnant, please let us know.
• No whales? If your tour does not sight a whale, we guarantee 80% of your money back.