Whale Watching in Kaikoura will be the highlight of your trip to New Zealand. Air Kaikoura was the first to offer Whale Watching flights and for the last 25 years has been providing amazing whale experiences, scenic flights, pilot-a-plane trips and pilot training.

With one of the world’s most experienced whale watching pilots at the helm, let Murray and his friendly team of pilots/instructors fly you over the Kaikoura Sea Canyon to view the mighty Sperm whale from the tip to the tail.  Air Kaikoura boasts a 95% success rate of seeing Sperm whales, the opportunities to see other marine and mammal wildlife on your trip and the option to extend your flight with other scenic and pilot-a-plane options.

Kaikoura Whale Watching Flights

Enjoy a panoramic whale flight, with stunning scenic views along the spectacular Kaikoura coastline. View the magnificent Sperm whales in their natural environment. From the air, you can really appreciate the full size of the mighty Sperm whale.

You will also have an opportunity to see the playful dusky dolphins and other marine life on your flight. After we have found whales we will take you on a scenic flight of Kaikoura and the stunning surrounds that include the high Alpine snow-clad Seaward Kaikoura mountain range, and to the east, the deep blue Pacific Ocean.

Air Kaikoura is a small friendly Aero Club  which also provides flight training. Our pilots are also flight instructors and our team is enthusiastic about providing our customers with an experience of a lifetime.

Although no guarantees are possible, we do have a very high success rate and we are very honest about your chances of finding whales each day.

Scenic & Charter Flights Kaikoura

Kaikoura – Mt Fyffe – Blue Duck Valley – Peninsula – Earthquake Scenic

To appreciate the beauty and contrasts of Kaikoura, there is nothing better than seeing it from the air. Experience for yourself the stunning beauty of a place where mountains meet the sea, and marine life abounds.

Fly past Mt Fyffe, high above the Kaikoura township, taking in the beauty of the Seaward Kaikoura mountain range and Blue Duck Valley; then do some seal-spotting as we make our way back down the rugged Kaikoura coastline with its black sand beaches and breaking white surf. You may even spot large schools of fish on the way. A great way to view the changes to the landscape caused by the 7.8 earthquake of November 2016.

Our Scenic flights are 15, 25 or 35 minutes long. 

Flight Training

Kaikoura Aero Club operates from its own building at the Kaikoura Airfield.  Full time Operations Manager Murray Hamilton holds a B-CAT instructor rating and instructor and Line Pilot Austen holds his C-CAT instructor rating. Instructors and Line Pilots Tobias and Allara hold their C-Cat instructor rating under supervision. 

Murray, Austen, Tobi & Allara are supported by Alistair Matthews, A CAT, Club Patron & Flight Examiner.

• Small friendly club, all our Pilots are qualified instructors or working to become instructors.

• Kaikoura has two active runways, one sealed (700m) and one grass (575m) allowing students to become accustomed to both surface types.

• Two seater and four seater aircraft, high wing and low wing, available to train in.  

• Mountains in excess of 8000ft are within 15 minutes of flying providing an ideal opportunity for students to experience terrain/mountain flying.

Our training fleet:

ZK-TUG – Aeropro Eurofox – A240

The newest aircraft in the fleet, built 2013 and purchased by us in 2016, TUG has a shiny new feel. Great fun to fly with digital instrumentation and 5 hours fuel endurance. A Light Sport Aircraft, so can be used to gain a PPL, CPL, Instructor rating, and can also be flown on a microlight licence. 

ZK-JCT – Cessna 172 – C172

The Cessna 172  four seat aircraft with a 160 hp engine, cruises at 110 kts and is one of the most popular light aircraft in the world. A great choice if you’re wanting to step up from the two seater aircraft.

If you are interested in working towards your Private or Commercial Pilot Licence, we can help.

Address:

627 Kaikoura South Road
Kaikoura 7300

Phone: +64 3 319 6579

Mobile: 027 9106 356

Fax:

Web: Visit website