Private Wings over Whales Tour
Experience a unique perspective soaring above the wildlife
This is a Private Tour. Your party will have exclusive use of a luxury SUV, along with a dedicated Canterbury Trails Guide for the day.
Kaikoura: Where Whales Soar and Mountains Meet the Sea
Embark on an unforgettable, private tour from Christchurch, venturing through the picturesque pastoral landscapes of North Canterbury, where rolling hills meet the Pacific Ocean. Your destination: Kaikoura, a coastal haven where majestic mountains kiss the sea, and nature's grandeur unfolds.
Wings Over Whales: A Majestic Aerial Encounter
Prepare for a breathtaking aerial adventure as you take flight with Wings Over Whales. Soar above the pristine waters of Kaikoura, home to the world's largest toothed predator, the magnificent sperm whale. Marvel at the sheer magnitude of these gentle giants, reaching up to 18 meters in length and weighing up to 60 tons, as they glide through the crystal-clear depths.
Your high-winged aircraft guarantees every passenger a window seat, offering unobstructed views of these awe-inspiring creatures. Witness their graceful movements as they breach, dive, and interact with their environment. Keep your eyes peeled for playful dusky dolphins, who often accompany the whales, adding a touch of joy to the experience. With luck, you may even spot other magnificent species, such as southern right, humpback, and pilot whales.
Coastal Charm and Panoramic Vistas:
After your exhilarating flight, descend to earth and indulge in a delightful café lunch, savoring the flavors of local cuisine amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Kaikoura's coastal charm. Your journey continues with a scenic drive to a lookout point, where panoramic vistas of the peninsula and the vast Pacific Ocean stretch before you.
This Kaikoura experience is more than just a tour – it's a symphony of nature's wonders, blending the thrill of flight with the awe-inspiring presence of marine giants and the tranquility of breathtaking coastal landscapes.
Tour Inclusions:
- Travel by luxury vehicle
- Wings over Whales flight
- Cafe lunch in Kaikoura
- Courtesy city hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Delicious morning or afternoon tea picnic (weather permitting)
- Fully escorted with informative commentary.
Departure time: 7:30 am
Return: approx. 5.45 pm
Tour Code: PRI KA02
Good to know
Suits Anyone who would rather see the whales from the air than from a boat, from couples to families and older travellers. Kaikoura is about two and a half hours north of Christchurch by road, along the coast, so this is a full day out.
Included Your own vehicle and driver-guide for the day, pickup and drop-off at your Christchurch accommodation, the scenic whale flight with Wings Over Whales, lunch at a café in Kaikoura and a picnic morning or afternoon tea. Card payments carry a 3% fee, and a public holiday surcharge of NZ$70 per person applies on New Zealand public holidays (NZ$75 from Good Friday, 26 March 2027).
Pickup and times We collect you from your Christchurch accommodation at about 7:30 am, at a time we confirm with you before the day, and you are back at about 5:45 pm. As a private tour, it runs on the date you choose.
Group Private. Your party travels alone, in a luxury vehicle with your own driver-guide.
Children Welcome. Children aged 2 to 12 travel at half the adult price, and under-twos travel free. We supply every car seat free: a rear-facing capsule for babies, a harness seat for toddlers and a booster for older children. Tell us their ages when you enquire.
Travelling alone The tour is private, so it runs for a single traveller too.
Cancellation Cancel more than 7 days before the tour and there is no fee. From 7 days to 48 hours before, the fee is 50%, and within 48 hours the tour is non-refundable. The full terms are in our Terms of Service.
Bring Layers for changeable weather, with a warm top and a rain jacket, comfortable shoes with good grip (trainers are fine), sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle.
Interested in making a booking?
Contact our Customer Service Team
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Phillipstown, Christchurch, NZ
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Every day, 9am to 6pm New Zealand time
- Comply with all Marine Mammal Regulations.
- Locally owned & operated
- Highly trained Pilots
- High winged aircraft for unobstructed viewing
- Suitable for all ages
