Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kaikoura, New Zealand
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore the coast of Kaikoura from a unique perspective – by kayak. Paddle through protected waters to see an array of wildlife, potentially including dolphins, seals and even whales (in season). With small group sizes and a certified guide leading the way, this half-day tour is perfect for nature lovers who want the chance to get up close with some of New Zealand's most iconic animals.
- Learn about local wildlife as you paddle along at your own pace
- Get tips on kayaking technique from your guide
- Tour through a marine reserve to see Kaikoura's unspoiled coastline
- Travel with the only sea kayak operator that holds a marine mammal permit
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Dry bags for camera's, all kayaking equipment, paddle jackets, wet shoes, spray skirts, dry pants, gloves and hats over the winter months.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Kaikoura Kayaks17 Killarney Street, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand
Travel through the main street of Kaikoura South heading towards the seal colony and take your first right off the Esplanade on to Killarney st. Look for the Kaikoura Kayaks yellow street sign and flying banner at our base. Please check in 15 minutes prior to departure.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.4:30 pm
What To Expect
1
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
2
Peninsula Seal Colony
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved. Risks in undertaking this activity include, property damage, personal injury, illness because of adverse weather conditions, risk of drowning, death, sunburn, dehydration, hyperthermia, and exhaustion.
- We recommend you bring the following: Long sleeved thermal top, Fleece (if a bit chilly), shorts or light pants e.g. quick dry clothing, NO JEANS! Sunglasses, cap, running shoes or sandals, drinking water and phone or camera. Any medication required. If you suffer from motion sickness, please take medication prior.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Ricky_D
Excellent experience! Our guide Loz was great, he took care of everyone even though it was windy and rainy. He spotted a small pod of Dusky Dolphins and got us there on time to see them before they left the area. He was very knowledgeable about wildlife in the area, and pointed out a blue penguin, as well as multiple types of sea birds. Overall the experience was easy and fun, and all the gear they provided us was in great condition (my arms, legs, and body stayed completely dry, even though it rained on us). I did it solo, but most guests had a friend. This can easily be done solo or with a buddy. I highly recommend it!
Reviews
4.8
based on 498 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Lindsey_R, Mar 2026
On arrival at the office we did the usual waivers and got ready for the trip. Shuttle to the bay. Good briefing and kitting up with neoprene boots, splash jacket, buoyancy aid (kept us warm on a grey day). Basic tuition on using the paddles.
There was a reasonable swell but it was a very enjoyable experience. With the briefings, shuttle etc you are out on the water for about 1.5 hours which is long enough. You need to help get the boats down to the water and back up.
We saw close up various seals in the colony and a number of different birds. The guide (Teal) was very informative and it was very interesting about the seals, whaling etc
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for such a detailed review! We’re glad you found the whole experience well organised from start to finish, and that the briefing, equipment, and tuition helped you feel comfortable out on the water.
It’s great to hear you enjoyed getting close to the seal colony and spotting a variety of birdlife along the way. Teal will be stoked to hear your kind words—He’s incredibly passionate about sharing the local wildlife and history.
Hayleypilcher, Feb 2026
A must trip if you are visiting the area
We absolutely loved the whole experience,it was a well arranged tour with a wonderful group of guides
Thank you 🥰
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for the gorgeous feedback 🥰
We’re absolutely thrilled you loved the experience and felt the tour was well organised. Our guides will be so happy to hear your kind words!
Thank you for recommending us, and we’d love to welcome you back anytime!
Mary_B, Feb 2026
Amazing experience. I was quite nervous to do it but once there felt very reassured and excited. Saw seals and dolphins with the great guide :)
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for sharing this! We love hearing that you pushed through your nerves and ended up feeling reassured and excited — that’s exactly what we aim for 😊
Seeing both seals and dolphins is such a special bonus! We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to your guide. So glad you had an amazing experience with us!
Anita_F, Feb 2026
Absolutely brilliant experience. Leon the guide was extremely knowledgeable and professional. We saw dolphins , seals and a sting ray. Lots of kayaking involved with great instructions and supervision . Would definitely recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Absolutely brilliant to hear — thank you!
We’re so pleased you had such a fantastic experience and that Leon’s knowledge and professionalism stood out. Seeing dolphins, seals and a stingray is pretty special! 🐬
Kelly_B, Feb 2026
Staff were very friendly and helpful. Explained that conditions were not ideal and offered chance of refund. I took the sea sickness pills offered and went for it! So glad I did, amazing experience and although windy it was a relaxing evening. Saw dolphins in the distance and got really close to the seals, great experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
We really appreciate you acknowledging the team’s transparency about the conditions — safety and comfort always come first for us, so we’re glad you felt well informed and supported (and great call taking the sea sickness tablets and going for it!).
How lucky to spot dolphins in the distance and get up close to the seals — those moments make it all worthwhile. 🦭🐬
We’re so pleased you chose to paddle and that it turned into such an amazing and relaxing experience. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure!
Jeremy_L, Jan 2026
Super fun experience. Loved every moment. Reminds me that I actually enjoy see kayaking. Our guides Laws and Ben were great and super knowledgeable. Would highly recommend
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback! We’re stoked to hear you loved every moment and rediscovered your enjoyment of sea kayaking. Thanks for the recommendation and we hope to see you back on the water again soon!
Ricky_D, Jan 2026
Excellent experience! Our guide Loz was great, he took care of everyone even though it was windy and rainy. He spotted a small pod of Dusky Dolphins and got us there on time to see them before they left the area. He was very knowledgeable about wildlife in the area, and pointed out a blue penguin, as well as multiple types of sea birds. Overall the experience was easy and fun, and all the gear they provided us was in great condition (my arms, legs, and body stayed completely dry, even though it rained on us). I did it solo, but most guests had a friend. This can easily be done solo or with a buddy. I highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re stoked you had such a great experience, even with a bit of classic NZ weather doing its thing. Loz will be absolutely wrapped to hear your kind words — he’s got a sharp eye for wildlife and always goes the extra mile to look after everyone on the water. Spotting dusky dolphins and a blue penguin is pretty special!
Great to hear the gear kept you warm and dry and that the trip felt easy and fun, whether paddling solo or with others. Thanks again for the strong recommendation —Hope to see you back out there one day! 🦭🛶
David_N, Jan 2026
Staff were fantastic, would recommend. Split into a faster group for those more experienced with kayaking and slower smaller groups for people new to it
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re pleased to hear you found our staff fantastic and would recommend the experience. We really appreciate you taking the time to share this.
Gilbert_L, Dec 2025
What an amazing day to kayak and see the seals and a pod of Dusky dolphins.
Great experience paddling with the guide Robert. Thanks for the photo.
Booking via Viator let me earn Aeroplan points. 👍
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for the great review! What an incredible day on the water with seals and a pod of Dusky dolphins — an experience to remember. We’re pleased you enjoyed kayaking with Robert and loved the photo.
Heather_H, Dec 2025
It was such a peaceful day 22nd of December. We even saw dolphins, even though it’s not necessarily their season…. Which is normally starts around February. It was upper body workout in the kayak, but there is no pressure and our two guides checked in with us very regularly to make sure we had good energy, and were feeling good. Would recommend the morning time, as I’m told it can be less windy. I’m grateful we got the chance to go. So beautiful out there in the water
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely reflection — it sounds like a truly special morning on the water 🌊
We’re so pleased you enjoyed such calm conditions on the 22nd of December, and how lucky to spot dolphins — that’s always a magical bonus. We’re glad to hear our guides kept things relaxed and checked in regularly so everyone felt comfortable and supported.
Thanks again for the recommendation, and we hope to paddle with you again one day.
Steven_G, Nov 2025
This is an excellent paddling adventure with knowledgeable friendly guides. We paddled with Holt and Finn who had the answers to our questions about NZ history and Māori culture as well as many details about the various bird species that we saw including albatross up close and fur seals. The large stable tandem kayaks were great as well as all of the safety and instruction provided to novices. I would highly recommend Kaikoura kayaks for a great experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such an excellent paddling adventure with us. Holt and Finn will be stoked to know their knowledge of NZ history, Māori culture, and our local birdlife helped make your tour memorable — and how awesome that you got such close views of albatross and fur seals!
Sandy_B, Oct 2025
Excellent experience, waves and rocks made for a little more technical paddle. Guides were friendly and fun and put safety first. We saw dolphins and seals and a multitude of birds. Scenery was fabulous.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks so much for your wonderful review!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the experience — sounds like you handled everything like a pro! Great to hear you got to see dolphins, seals, and all those amazing seabirds. We really appreciate your kind words about our guides too — they’ll be stoked to hear it.
Hope to see you back out on the water again one day! 🐬🦭
josmewing, Oct 2025
A great way to spend a couple of hours. Guaranteed to see seals, but we also found some dolphins. The ride from the meeting point to the shore only takes a few minutes. We had two guides (Holt and Grace) who would have split the group in two, if there were different levels of fitness and paddling ability but that was not necessary. The Kayaks felt very stable, and we did not get wet.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks so much for your great review!
We’re so glad you enjoyed your time out on the water — awesome that you got to see both seals and dolphins! 🐬🦭 Holt and Grace will be thrilled to hear your kind words. Great to know you found the kayaks stable and the experience comfortable too.
Hope we get to welcome you back for another paddle sometime!
Aziza_M, Jul 2025
Cam.and cam made it easy by lending tons of gear and with their instructions. They were super helpful
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks for your great review! We'll pass on your thoughts to Cam and Cam ! :)
Sean_V, Apr 2025
Was a great trip with a helpful, friendly, and enthusiastic guide (thanks Charli!).
We were lucky enough to see dolphins and a baby seal swimming.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thanks for your review! Charli is a great guide and knows her stuff! We're glad you got to experience both dolphins and seals.. especially baby seals! We hope to welcome you back soon!
Lisa_H, Mar 2025
Absolutely phenomenal experience. There were three of us couples and the day was superb. The water was like glass and the dolphins put on a show! I absolutely fell in love with his little town and this company is to be highly recommended. Do not miss out on this.
Felipe_T, Mar 2025
Not worth the money. There are much cheaper tours in Akaroa where you’re guaranteed to see dolphins. You can always see fur seals in Kaikoura for free so paying $160 for this was a regrettable choice. The only good thing was the kayak guide Shelem was friendly and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
We appreciate your feedback and apologize for your disappointment. While our tours offer opportunities to see various marine life, we never guarantee dolphin sightings, as noted in our advertising. We're glad to hear that Shelem provided a positive experience during your kayak trip.
Diane_H, Mar 2025
We had a great time because we saw many dolphins! They were jumping and swimming under the kayaks. I will say that I was happy that I was in shape and had kayaked before, because we did have to paddle quite far to reach the pod. The staff was wonderful and so helpful and patient.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed seeing the mega pod of dolphins jumping and swimming under your kayak and found our staff helpful. How lucky were you! I am sure the paddle was worth it! Thanks for the 4-stars.
Janna_D, Feb 2025
Had a great time on this excursion! Our guide Cam and the whole team did an excellent job throughout the day! The dolphins were really hopping and playful that day so it was soo much fun!!! Would highly recommend this activity if you’re traveling through Kaikōura!!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time on our tour and that Cam and the team made the day memorable. It's fantastic to know that the dolphins were playful, adding to your fun experience! We truly appreciate your recommendation.
Karen_G, Jan 2025
Nice people, great boats and equipment. Short and slow paddle to the point and back. We saw a few seals on the rocks.
Helle_P, Jan 2025
It was a life changer for us to have this tour with Emma. We want our own kajak now. She had attention to all in the group. Her excitement was contagios and she promissed is a pinguien and we Got it. Thank YOU all
Mark_W, Jan 2025
All you need to being with you is water, camera, and maybe snacks. Cam and Charlie were awesome guides!
Karen_M, Dec 2024
Beautiful day on the water. Zoe was a great guide, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Seals and birds were a delight. There was more work getting the kayaks into the water than expected but did not diminish the experience!
Marc_A, Oct 2024
À very great kayak experience….. navigateur on the sea was fabulous even we didn’t see many mamans exempt Seals …. The staff is very kind and professional !
William_H, May 2024
Cam was a fantastic guide and is clearly passionate about the area and the wildlife. For us it was a great introduction into kayaking and has made us keen to do more!
Unfortunately we were pretty limited in the distance we could kayak due to the strong waves that day and didn't see much wildlife in the water itself. It didn't stop us from having a great time though and the experience was definitely worthwhile. Thanks again to Cam for always making sure we were comfortable and putting our safety first!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, yes safety is always first, we love hearing that you are keen for more kayaking!
Nadean_L, Mar 2024
We had perfect blue skies and calm water, so the morning was ideal! Our guide Brad was funny and knowledgeable and we just had a ball and learned so much about fur seals and the water!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you, we love hearing that it was a perfect day on the water and that you learnt a lot about the fur seals. Yes Brad is funny and a brilliant guide.
Markus_H, Feb 2024
Our guide, Yasmin, was wonderfully entertaining and informative. She did a great job keeping everyone together and safe out on the water.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for your 5-star review! We really appreciate it and we agree Yasmin is wonderful.
Paige_W, Jan 2024
Excellent crew. We got to see dolphins jumping all around us. Was an incredible experience, highly recommended
Paul_B, Jan 2024
It was a great experience to kayak yourself on the pacific ocean near Kaikoura. There is a tension which sea animals you will see, for us it were a lot of seals, resting or swimming. Great guides too, for us it was Jasmin. The waves were quite strong, but very pleasant for us.
JeanFrancois_H, Jan 2024
Relaxing time on the sea, paddling to see seals and enjoying live comment on natural wild life from the guide
From $98.38
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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