FULL DAY TOUR (KA01 & KA02)

"Tucked in the shelter of the Kaikoura Peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, and beneath the towering 2600 metre high snow-capped Kaikoura Mountain Ranges, Kaikoura is scenically breathtaking."

Originally an island, the peninsula has since been joined to the mainland by steep plains built up of debris swept down from the mountains by rivers. In Maori lore, the peninsula was the place where Maui braced his foot when he fished up the North Island and was named the seat of Te waka a Maui Maui's canoe. The name Kaikoura means "meal of crayfish".

In 1843, Captain Robert Fyfe built the first shore whaling station near where his house, built in 1860, still stands on it's whale bone piles. Today, all marine mammals are protected in New Zealand and the whales are hunted with cameras instead of harpoons. Kaikoura has deep ocean canyons that provide a home to an exciting array of sea creatures, including the Giant Sperm Whale. Whales live there all year round making this one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

• Depart Christchurch and travel through the beautiful rural pastoral scenes of North Canterbury to Kaikoura where the mountains meet sea.
• At Kaikoura, a whale watch cruise or flight is made and you will look out for the majestic Sperm Whales and Dusky Dolphins. Sightings can also include Southern Right, Humpback, and Pilot whales.
• After your cruise or flight, enjoy a café lunch and then experience some local wines at the Kaikoura Winery with its spectacular views of the peninsula and the Pacific.
• Visit the Kaikoura Peninsula where sightings can be made of the NZ Fur Seals.

• KA01 Kaikoura whale watching cruise with "Whale Watch Kaikoura"
• KA02 Kaikoura whale watching flight with "Wings over Whales"

Tour inclusions…

• Travel by deluxe minicoach
• Delicious picnic morning and afternoon teas
• Cafe lunch in Kaikoura
• Wine tasting at Kaikoura Winery
• Courtesy city hotel / homestay pickup and dropoff
• Fully escorted with informative commentary
• Depart Christchurch at 7.30am and return approximately 5.45pm