Embark on an unforgettable overnight tour from Christchurch to Kaikoura, where you’ll have the opportunity to watch whales and swim with dolphins. Get up close and personal with these incredible marine creatures in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Embark on an unforgettable overnight tour from Christchurch to Kaikoura, where you’ll have the opportunity to watch whales and swim with dolphins. Get up close and personal with these incredible marine creatures in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Day 1: Christchurch – Kaikoura
Travel by coach through the picturesque rolling hills of North Canterbury, relishing the beauty of its pastoral landscapes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet the sea (a journey of approximately three hours by coach). Kaikoura is globally renowned for its diverse marine mammals, including the majestic giant sperm whales…
Day 1: Christchurch – Kaikoura
Travel by coach through the picturesque rolling hills of North Canterbury, relishing the beauty of its pastoral landscapes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet the sea (a journey of approximately three hours by coach). Kaikoura is globally renowned for its diverse marine mammals, including the majestic giant sperm whales and the playful dusky dolphins.
Upon arrival in Kaikoura, you will be transferred to a whale-watching tour by boat. The afternoon is free for you to explore Kaikoura at your leisure.
Overnight: 5-star accommodation at The Anchor Inn (or similar). Kaikoura’s newest waterfront motel, opened in November 1997, offers 15 architecturally designed, fully self-contained units. The motel is centrally located within the township on the waterfront, with most rooms offering mountain or sea views.
Day 2: Kaikoura – Christchurch
This morning, join a swim-with-dolphins cruise. You will be fully equipped with a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and flippers to swim in the sea with dusky dolphins. There will also be an opportunity to visit a seal colony where fur seals can be viewed up close.
Returning to Christchurch this afternoon, a stop will be made at a North Canterbury vineyard for a delightful wine tasting experience.
Day 1: Christchurch - Kaikoura
Travel by coach through the scenic rolling hills of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural landscapes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet the sea (a journey of approximately three hours by coach). Kaikoura is globally renowned for its diverse marine mammals, including the majestic giant sperm whales and the playful dusky dolphins.
Upon arrival in Kaikoura, you will be transferred to a whale-watching tour by boat. The afternoon is free for you to explore Kaikoura at your leisure.
Overnight Accommodation: The White Morph or similar.
Day 2: Kaikoura / Christchurch
This morning, join the Swim with Dolphins Cruise with Dolphin Encounter. You will be fully equipped with a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and flippers to swim in the sea with dusky dolphins. There will also be an opportunity to visit a seal colony where fur seals can be viewed up close. Returning to Christchurch this afternoon (a journey of approximately three hours by coach), a stop will be made at a North Canterbury vineyard for a delightful wine tasting experience, if time permits.
Points of Interest
- Leisure Tours
- Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
- Fur seal colony viewing
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Swim with Dolphins
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- North Canterbury wine tasting if time permits
- Live commentary on board
- Overnight accommodation
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Whale watch tour by boat
- Fur seal colony viewing
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Swim with Dolphins
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- North Canterbury wine tasting if time permits
- Live commentary on board
- Overnight accommodation
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Whale watch tour by boat
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Behold the grandeur of whales and float alongside dolphins. This is an enchanting night-long treat for enthusiasts eager to become intimate with the wild. Trek from Christchurch to Kaikoura, where your encounter with whales awaits. Repose in this quaint seaside town for a night, before joining the ‘Swim with Dolphins’ voyage. Plunge into the sea for a…
Behold the grandeur of whales and float alongside dolphins. This is an enchanting night-long treat for enthusiasts eager to become intimate with the wild. Trek from Christchurch to Kaikoura, where your encounter with whales awaits. Repose in this quaint seaside town for a night, before joining the ‘Swim with Dolphins’ voyage. Plunge into the sea for a swim adjacent to these extraordinary creatures. A sea-life adventure that stands unrivaled.
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Please note, infants under 3 years of age may not join the cruises but may travel on the light aircraft tours
- Children must be aged 8 years and over to swim with Dolphins.
- Customers must declare any pre-existing medical conditions. A basic level of fitness is required. Customers will be floating in the open ocean and will be required to swim to and from the boat - distances up to 50 meters (150 feet) at a time.
- Once the tour has commenced only the unused portion of the tour will be refunded should the boats not sail or the planes not fly.
- If due to whale sightings or weather conditions the boat offers a partial refund, this refund will be passed on to our customers.
- If whale watch is undertaken by light aircraft and no whales are seen, no refund applies.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- If time allows we will stop at a North Canterbury vineyard for a wine tasting!
- Maximum - One Medium size bag/suitcase per person (max 20kg each)
- Transfer from Kaikoura back to Christchurch may be by intercity coach if minimum numbers not met
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
