Water Activities

The Marine Mammal Capital of NZ

Kaikoura sits above the Kermadec trench, which pumps nutrients up to the surface and brings in an almost absurd amount of marine life. Whales, dolphins, seals - they're all here in serious numbers. For whales, you can go by sea for the up-close, intimate experience (first sailing of the day tends to be the calmest), or go by air to see the sheer scale of these creatures with a scenic flight thrown in. Both use promo code RANKERS for 10% off, which is a solid saving given how much you'll want to do here.

Promo code RANKERS - good deal done!

Kaikoura Kayaks

Promo code RANKERS. 10% Off

4.8 328 reviews

Seal Swim Kaikoura

Promo code RANKERS. 10% Off

4.6 54 reviews

Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura

Promo code RANKERS. 10% Off

4.5 256 reviews

Seal Kayak Kaikoura

Promo code RANKERS. Save 10%

4.5 1 review

Whale Watch Kaikoura

Promo code RANKERS. 10% Off

4.3 679 reviews

Kaikoura Fishing Tours

Promo code RANKERS. 10% Off

4.3 2 reviews

Wings Over Whales

Promo code RANKERS. Save 10%

4.5 34 reviews

Seals and Dolphins Are Just as Good

The dolphin pods off Kaikoura are some of the largest in NZ - we're talking hundreds of dusky dolphins. Swimming with them is genuinely one of those experiences that stays with you. Do it in summer if you can; the water is cold and that makes a real difference. For seals, kayaking is the way to go - you're at their level on the water and they interact completely differently than they do on land. Playful doesn't really cover it. Both the dolphin swim and seal kayak tours take promo code RANKERS for 10% off.

If fishing is more your speed, there are guided saltwater fishing charters out of Kaikoura too - blue cod and crayfish are the local catches worth going after. Good option if you want something a bit more low-key between the bigger wildlife experiences.