Hokitika

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Whale Watch Kaikoura
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in New Zealand

Whale Watch Kaikoura

9.4
4.6/5
212 reviews

Whale Watch Kaikoura is an iconic marine experience in Kaikoura on New Zealand's South Island. What makes the Kaikoura waters unique is a submarine canyon approx. two kilometers deep that runs close to the coast, creating a rich marine food chain that keeps sperm whales in nearshore waters year-round—making it one of the few places in the world where wild sperm whales can be viewed up close throughout the year. After setting out to sea by boat, a common sight is a massive male sperm whale surfacing to blow a spout, then raising its tail flukes high and diving deep into the sea, with a single dive typically lasting several tens of minutes. Along the way, there is also a chance to encounter pods of dusky dolphins, known for their acrobatic flips and leaps, with a single pod numbering up to several hundred; Hector's dolphins are a small dolphin species endemic to New Zealand, appearing in small groups near the coast and are quite rare; New Zealand fur seals also often rest on the rocks along the route. Migratory cetaceans such as humpback whales and killer whales occasionally appear, mostly in the winter months. The landscape of Kaikoura, backed by snow-capped mountains and facing the sea, is itself an impressive sight during the voyage. Weather at sea is changeable, and trips may be canceled when the wind and waves are strong, so checking the day's sailing conditions before you set out can save you an unnecessary trip.

New Zealand · Kaikoura

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Experiences you can't miss in Hokitika

Featured Day tours in Hokitika

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Hokitika: West Coast Treetop Walkway Entrance Ticket
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4.5/5
· 15 reviews
Duration: 1 hr
Free cancellation
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FromTRY 1,087.48
Greymouth: to Franz Josef via Hokitika Small Group Tour One-Way
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Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromTRY 4,145.83
Franz Josef: to Christchurch via Hokitika Small Group Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 12 hrs
Free cancellation
FromTRY 8,069.13
Franz Josef to Christchurch With TranzAlpine (One-Way)
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 1 day
Free cancellation
FromTRY 15,720.60
Christchurch to Franz Josef Tour with TranzAlpine (1 way)
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4.7/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 1 day
Free cancellation
FromTRY 14,636.48
Hokitika: West Coast Tree Top Tower Zip Line and Walk
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromTRY 3,339.03
Christchurch to Franz Josef One-Way Tour Including TranzAlpine Train
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5.0/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
Free cancellation
FromTRY 15,720.60

Featured Nature & wildlife in Hokitika

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Franz Josef: West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry Ticket – 48 Hours
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4.3/5
· 14 reviews
Free cancellation
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FromTRY 1,923.36
Small-Group Kayak Adventure in Franz Josef Glacier
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4.8/5
· 99 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
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23 consecutive positive reviews
FromTRY 4,531.41
Franz Josef: Kiwi VIP Backstage Pass Tour - Booking Essential
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 45 mins
Free cancellation
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FromTRY 2,754.76
Small Group Lake Mapourika Scenic Cruise in Franz Josef
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromTRY 3,847.08
Small Group Lake Mapourika Cruise & Rainforest Walk - Franz Josef
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5.0/5
· 48 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
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48 consecutive positive reviews
FromTRY 4,583.59
Greymouth: Full-Day Best Of The West Tour
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5.0/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromTRY 10,287.13
From Greymouth: Highlights West Coast Day Tour
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5.0/5
· 29 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
29 consecutive positive reviews
FromTRY 9,478.66

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Private Tours in Hokitika

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Hokitika Today's weatherCloudy 15-18℃
Hokitika weather for the next 2 days11/8: 14-20℃, 11/9: 14-19℃

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What travellers say about Hokitika

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旅の径10 September 2020
4.0
If you haven't taken a photo with the driftwood decoration "HOKITIKA", you have not been to Hokitika or the west coast of the South Island. The first page of the Hokitika tourism brochure compiled by the New Zealand Tourism Board is a photo of the sunset accompanied by "HOKIDIKA". Walk west from the town's clock tower for 3 minutes, pass through a small gatehouse, and Hokitika Beach is right in front of you, with the whistling sea breeze and the surging waves hitting the black stone beach. The driftwood decoration and the stone green sofa not far away are the most eye-catching objects on the beach. When there are many tourists, they consciously line up to check in. The residents of the town are almost obsessed with the driftwood "HOKIDIKA". Whenever a strong wind destroys part or all of the decoration, they must use the driftwood branches available everywhere on the beach to repair it as new within 24 hours.

Hokitika Beach Sign

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123-traveller22 April 2022
5.0
Why do I give 5 stars for this scenic location? Firstly it’s free, and very closed Hokitika town.

Glow Worm Dell

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111***9724 October 2026
4.0
I took seasickness medication beforehand. The sea wasn't too windy that day, but there were still some swells, and I felt a little seasick when the boat first set off at a low speed. The boat was very clean, and the crew was very attentive to service. We didn't see many whales that day, and the ones we did see weren't very big; I only caught a glimpse of a whale's tail once. Overall, it was a good experience. The only downside was that it's about a 2.5-hour drive from Christchurch, but thankfully, the journey passes through vineyards, and there are a few wineries worth visiting.

Whale Watch Kaikoura

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_TT***5622 October 2026
5.0
A very unique experience during visit Mt Cook. Pilot will bring us fly over Tasman lake so that we can have an amazing view. After that we will have a short landing on top and have a photo shoot. Check in super easy, just show the booking and all done in 5 min.

Mount Cook Helicopter Experiences

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137***6627 March 2021
5.0
[Scenery] West Coast Treetop Walk Cafe. The coffee here is very fragrant! It's a good place to come and see. It's a popular coffee website. The scenery is great! [Fun] Nice scenery and the woods are very romantic, environmentally friendly and fresh

Westcoast Treetop Walk & Tower Zipline

Trip Moments in Hokitika

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Hokitika?

Don't miss these attractions in Hokitika: Hokitika Beach Sign, Glow Worm Dell, and The National Kiwi Centre. If you like Day tours, try Hokitika: West Coast Treetop Walkway Entrance Ticket. If you enjoy Nature & wildlife, try Franz Josef: West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry Ticket – 48 Hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Hokitika: West Coast Treetop Walkway Entrance Ticket, Greymouth: to Franz Josef via Hokitika Small Group Tour One-Way, and Franz Josef: to Christchurch via Hokitika Small Group Tour. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 8 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Hokitika is around TRY 1,087.48 – TRY 15,720.6. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.