Whale Watching Flight in Kaikoura

This amazing aerial tour allows you to experience so much more than what its name suggests. The Wings over Whales tour flies you over the stunning Kaikoura area of New Zealand, for a thirty minute tour of this beautiful peninsula and its marine inhabitants.

Hop in to either a 4-seater Cessna 172, or an 8-seater Gippsland Aeronautics Airvan for your flight. Relax into your spot in your guaranteed window seat and enjoy the unfolding panoramic views below. As you fly, your experienced and friendly pilot will give full commentary on the history of the area, as well as comprehensive information on the whales that live here. 

Looking out from under the high wings of the plane, you will see the glorious blues and greens of the Kaikoura peninsula from the best vantage point possible! Within the vista, you will see the remains of Pa sites (Māori fortifications), where the ancient people of the land carved out their existence, in contrast to the modern township of Kaikoura, where many of the ancient’s descendants live today. Along the coastline, you will spot the treasured New Zealand Fur Seals lounging on the rocks. If the weather is cooperative, you will be taken over the spectacular 2800m high Seaward Kaikoura Ranges.

Then, there’s the majestic Sperm Whales! These amazing mammals frequent the Kaikoura area due to the Hikorangi Trench (a deep sea trench that is around 1,000 m (3,000ft) deep, and up to 2,000 m (6,000ft) in some areas), which shelters an abundance of Squid, Groper, Ling and Shark – just a few favourite meals of the mighty whale.

During your thirty minute flight, you will marvel at the grace and agility of the huge Sperm Whales, but you will also be in awe of the hundreds of playful Dusky Dolphins you will see too. It is also common to spot Southern Right, Humpback, Fin, Sei, Brydes, Pilot, Southern Bottlenose and Blue Whales, and if you’re lucky, you may even see Common, Hectors, Risso's and Southern Right Whale Dolphins, and Orca! You will land with a deep appreciation for the grandeur of these amazing animals, a love for the beautiful Kaikoura area and a smile on your face.