A Guide To Whale Watching In New Zealand

New Zealand is a place for wildlife encounters. Migratory whales pass by the country’s shores year-round, so getting up close and personal with these amazing creatures only requires a bit of knowledge of where to go. This guide will showcase all the key places to watch the whales as they make the most of their natural surroundings.

Kaikoura

There’s a good reason Kaikoura has been dubbed the ‘whale watching capital’ of New Zealand. The South Island town in the Canterbury region is one of the few places in the world where you’ll easily catch sight of a sperm whale. They appear year-round, and depending on when you visit you might get to know a few other species, too: orca come out to play in the warmer months (October-March), while the winter sees an assortment of travelling humpbacks, pilot whales, blue whales, and southern right whales.

The Hauraki Gulf (Auckland)

Bryde’s Whale viewed from Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari’s research vessel in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Tory Channel, Marlborough Sounds

The Tory Channel connects the Marlborough Sounds to the Cook Strait, as well as being the part of the main route taken by the inter-island ferries between Wellington and Picton. The area is particularly renowned for its whaling history – the closing of its last whaling station in 1964 is said to have marked the end of the activity in New Zealand. A hilltop lookout is the prime spot in the channel to view migratory humpback whales, orca, southern right whales as well as various species of dolphins.

Bay of Islands

Along with having an abundant resident dolphin population, the Bay of Islands also welcomes a number of whales onto its pristine waters. A wildlife tour of the subtropical micro-region might get you up close to orcas, Bryde’s whales, and long-finned pilot whales during the migratory season. Paihia and Russell are among the two main departure points for whale- and dolphin-encounter cruises.

Bay of Plenty

A cruise to White Island in the Bay of Plenty will expose you to a myriad of ocean life, including the occasional whale. Whakatane and Tauranga are the main places you’ll depart from as you embark on a journey to view the orca, minke whales, and pilot whales that might be hiding amid the passing dolphins, fish, and seals. The aptly-named Whale Island, near White Island, is another place where Whakatane-based travellers can set their whale-watching sights onto.

Whakatane’s ‘Lady on the Rock’ with Whale Island in the background

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.