Albatross Encounter Day Trip

Kaikoura Albatross Encounter Tour from Christchurch

2 reviews

from $226.97 per person

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Duration: 11 hours
Meeting point: Christchurch hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 6 full days before
Run by: Leisure Tours

Overview

Most people go to Kaikoura for whales. This full-day trip from Christchurch, run by Leisure Tours, goes for the birds instead. The boat cruises away from the Kaikoura coastline in search of albatross, among the world's largest flying birds, which come within close proximity. Guides on board help you pick out petrels, shearwaters, terns, shags and gulls.

The day runs about 11 hours door to door. A hotel pickup in Christchurch starts things off, followed by a 2.5-hour drive north in an air-conditioned vehicle to the Kaikoura Peninsula. After the boat trip you also stop at a New Zealand fur seal colony, where the basking mammals can be viewed up close but from a safe distance, before the return drive to your hotel.

It suits travellers who want a guided seabird experience without organising their own transport from Christchurch, and it works for most people: the vehicle and tour are wheelchair and pushchair accessible, service animals are allowed, and infants sit on laps. Bring your own food and drinks, since neither is included.

Travellers with day packs waiting on a Christchurch footpath beside a plane tree, low cold sun, seen from behind.

What's Included

Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Albatross Encounter and seal colony visit

Not Included

Food and drinks
Gratuities

Itinerary

Hotel pickupThe operator picks you up at your Christchurch hotel to start the day.
Drive to KaikouraA 2.5-hour drive north in an air-conditioned vehicle takes you to the Kaikoura Peninsula.
Albatross Encounter cruiseCruise away from the Kaikoura coastline looking for albatross, one of the world's largest flying birds. Nature guides on board point out other seabirds such as petrels, shearwaters, terns, shags and gulls.
Seal colony visitVisit a New Zealand fur seal colony and watch the basking mammals from a safe distance, with good photo opportunities.
Return to ChristchurchReturn transport drops you back at your Christchurch hotel, ending the roughly 11-hour day.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to know before you book this trip.

Where this tour sits among 4 tours in Seal Swims, Kayaks And Albatross Trips listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Seal Kayak, 3 Hours$82.27
Wildlife Sea Kayak Tour$93.62
Seal Swim, 2.5 Hours$101.57
Albatross Encounter Day Trip (this tour)$226.97

Pack food. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own for a day that runs about 11 hours. There is no mention of meal stops being provided. Gratuities are also excluded.
Long day. Expect a full day. Two legs of driving, 2.5 hours each way, bracket the boat trip and seal colony visit. Dress for comfort on the road as well as on the water.
Cameras ready. Photo opportunities are a highlight both on the boat, where albatross and other seabirds come within close proximity, and at the seal colony.
Accessibility. The tour is wheelchair accessible, including the transport, and pushchair accessible. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if a companion can assist with boarding and disembarking, and service animals are allowed.
Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 50 travellers.
Booking confirmation. Confirmation is received at the time of booking. Infants must sit on laps, and the pickup point is your Christchurch hotel, so have those details handy when booking.

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Common issues. A few practical limits are worth weighing. The experience requires a minimum number of travellers to run; if that minimum is not met it can be cancelled, in which case you are offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund. Food, drinks and gratuities are extra, and the refund window is strict: full refunds only apply when you cancel at least 6 full days before the start time, and no refund is given for cancellations less than 2 full days out.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Christchurch are included, along with travel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The pickup happens at your hotel, so confirm your accommodation details when booking.

How Long Is The Tour?

The full day runs about 11 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. The drive to the Kaikoura Peninsula alone takes 2.5 hours each way.

Is Food Included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and neither are gratuities. Bring your own supplies for the day.

Is The Tour Suitable For Wheelchairs Or Limited Mobility?

Yes, the tour and its transport are wheelchair accessible, and it is pushchair accessible too. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated as long as a companion can assist with boarding and disembarking. Service animals are also allowed.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 6 full days before the start time for a full refund, or 2 to 6 full days before for a 50% refund. Cancel less than 2 full days ahead and no refund is given, and changes made less than 6 full days before are not accepted. If the operator cancels because the minimum traveller number is not met, you get a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.

What Birds And Animals Will I See?

The boat cruise targets albatross, one of the world's largest flying birds, and guides help you spot petrels, shearwaters, terns, shags and gulls. The trip also includes a visit to a New Zealand fur seal colony, viewed from a safe distance.