3 Day Kaikoura Sealife and Coastal Tour from Christchurch

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Christchurch to Kaikoura and Swimming with the Dolphins⌄

   Coastal Pacific Train: Christchurch to Kaikoura The Coastal Pacific train journey travels between Christchurch, the South Island's largest city and the delightful port of Picton. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. The Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges - one of them being New Zealand's only road-rail bridge. The Coastal Pacific includes an open-air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean and fresh sea air. This leg of the journey crosses the wonderful North Canterbury countryside to the township of Kaikoura. Kaikoura offers dramatic landscape scenes of mountains meeting the sea. Kaikoura is world famous for its resident whale population and whale-watching tours. The more adventurous traveller might wish to get closer to marine life and swim with the dolphins.

   Dolphin Encounter Upon arrival in Kaikoura, please collect your luggage and make your way to Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura. The Dolphin Encounter office is located at 96 Esplanade, Kaikoura, which is 800 metres (874 yards) from the InterCity coach stop and takes approximately 10 minutes to walk. Or if you would like assistance with your luggage taxis are also readily available, at your own cost. Once you arrive at Dolphin Encounter, please present your itinerary with your reservation number to the check-in staff and request that they store your luggage until the end of the Swimming with Dolphins Tour. Experience a magical swimming encounter with dusky dolphins off the coast of Kaikoura. You’ll be taken out in the catamaran and have the chance to swim in the water with these wild mammals in a completely natural environment. The dusky dolphin inhabits the waters around Kaikoura for most of the year - making it one of the only places in the world where dolphins can be encountered every day.

   Overnight: Accommodation in a Premium Kaikoura Motel

2. 2Spend a day exploring Kaikoura and the famous Kaikoura Whale Watch⌄

   Whale Watch Kaikoura offer a once-in-a-lifetime, up close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale. You are also likely to encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, Dusky Dolphins and Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see Pilot, Blue and Southern Right Whales as well as migrating Humpbacks. Often Orcas can be spotted here and the world's smallest dolphin, the Hectors, occasionally make an appearance. Cruise in style on modern catamarans, specifically designed for whale watching - Featuring large passenger cabins and outside viewing decks.

   Overnight: Accommodation in a Premium Kaikoura Motel

3. 3Sea Kayaking Kaikoura then return to Christchurch via the Coastal Pacific Train⌄

   Experience the excitement of watching Fur Seals ducking, weaving and diving around your kayak. Paddle gently along with them as they swim around the Kaikoura Peninsula hunting for their favourite feed of Octopus. Keep your distance while dinner is devoured in front of you, then duck for cover as hundreds of Pelagic (ocean-going) birds swoop in to clean up the left-overs. Continue your journey around the reefs of Kaikoura to search for other marine mammals such as Dusky Dolphins and Blue Penguins. Suitable for all abilities.

   Coastal Pacific Train: Kaikoura to Christchurch The Coastal Pacific train journey travels between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch, the South Island's largest city. The Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges - one of them being New Zealand's only road-rail bridge. The Coastal Pacific includes an open-air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean and fresh sea air. This leg of the journey crosses over the wonderful North Canterbury countryside to the city of Christchurch. Christchurch is also known as the Garden City of New Zealand. Enjoy Christchurch’s many attractions which include Ferrymead Heritage Park, the International Antarctic Centre, Ko Tane Maori and Cultural Experience, Christchurch Casino, punting on the Avon River, the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, and so much more.