The 2 Best Helicopter Tours

1.Kaikoura: 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour · from $792Our pick

Fly from Kaikōura Airport with an English-speaking pilot-guide, watching sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals from above. The one-hour flight also includes a mountain landing near Mt Fyffe, with snow possible in colder months. Groups are limited to six people.

“It was a fantastic tour with the pilot - sorry forgot his name. He is very good at flying and very friendly. We saw the huge whale, which is approximately the same length with the 23m boat, and heaps of dusk dolphins, and the pilot knew the whale so well and counted-down the exact time when it dived into deep water with iconic tail. The pilot also flew us to see the Kaikoura Earth-Quake fault-line, landslide and even the barrier lake. Really enjoy it. Thanks.”

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2.Kaikōura: 45-Minute Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 45 min · from $493Best value

Join South Pacific Helicopters for a 45-minute flight over Kaikōura’s Pacific coast. You’ll search for sperm whales, dolphins, seals, and migratory whales with an English-speaking pilot-guide, then land at an exclusive mountain site for wide views. Groups are limited to six.

“Great family business. Made to feel welcome from outset and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Would highly recommend.”

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