Where ocean giants meet mountain skies.

AIR KAIKOURA

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Whale Watching, Re-Imagined

See Kaikōura’s giants as few ever do, from the sky. Glide over the coast to spot majestic sperm whales, playful dusky dolphins, and more, framed by snow-capped mountains and endless ocean. With experienced local pilots guiding the way, every seat is the best seat in the house.

Winter

Special

30 Minute
Whale Watching Flight

Experience the beauty of winter landscapes from the skies, where each flight reveals breathtaking vistas of the Kaikoura coastline and mountains

Usually $250pp
Now Only $195pp

Book Now

Scenic Flights

Learn More

Whale Watching

Learn More

Why fly with us?

Trusted Since 1983

Four decades of safe, reliable whale flights.

Whales, Dolphins & More

The highest success rate for sightings in Kaikōura.

Locally Owned & Run

Every flight supports our community.

Every Seat Is a Window Seat

Small aircraft = big views for everyone.

What Our Guests Say

"Had a great morning whale and dolphin spotting. Pilot was brilliant, super friendly, knowledgeable and safe. Definitely recommend!"

Tracy on Google

This was fantastic, what an experience, worth every penny. Pilot, a young English girl, was brilliant, very safe, experienced, managed to see a sperm whale and dolphins, fantastic views. This is a must do

Nigel on TripAdvisor

"Had a great experience. Saw a Sperm whale, Orca and dolphins - pretty good for first flight of the day we thought! Will definitely fly again when we get the chance."

Simon on Facebook

Contact Us

627 Kaikoura South Road

Peketa, Kaikoura 7374

T: 03 319 6579

Freephone: 0800 247 524

E: info@airkaikoura.co.nz

Snow capped mountains beside you & whales beneath you. This is Kaikōura from above 🤍

Huge congratulations to Ben Satterthwaite for passing his PPL with us! 👏🏼
What a great achievement Ben, well done! ✈️
We wish you all the best for your aviation journey 🌞🛫

Will is officially cleared for take off.🛫
Congratulations Will for passing your PPL flight test today ✈️ 🥳

❄️✈️ Ultimate Winter Package! 🐋🌊
Come join us for a 30 minute scenic flight as part of our epic Buy One Get One Free deal with @whalewatchkaikoura!

Buy one experience, get the other FREE! 🤩

Boat + Plane = Double the adventure, double the wow ✨

📍Only in Kaikōura. Only in winter.

#UltimateWinterPackage #WhaleWatchKaikoura #AirKaikoura #ScenicFlightNZ #BOGOAdventure #SeeKaikouraDifferently #kaikoura #kaikouranz #newzealand #nztravel #whalewatchkaikoura #airkaikoura

Join us to celebrate Matariki ✨
Come fly above Kaikōura to welcome in the Māori New Year and to take a moment to reflect above the beautiful scenery 🌅

🧑🏻‍✈️ Meet our pilots- now in limited edition packaging!
From flying above snow capped mountains to spotting whales below, these are our legends behind the controls! ✈️🏔️🐋
👉🏽 Swipe to unbox! Have you flown with any of our pilots?
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#airkaikoura #kaikourapilots #meetthecrew #kaikouranz #flyingnz #nzaviation #whalewatching #kaikoura #nz #visitkaikoura #nzmustdo

getting the planes ready for the day ahead! 🌞

Kaikōura is getting ready for winter ❄️
We love the snowy mountains on the blue bird days 🏔��️

there’s nothing like flying over Kaikōura this time of year. Crisp air, golden hues, and those epic mountain meets ocean views ✈️🍂
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#airkaikoura #kaikouraaeroclub #kaikoura #aviationnz #whalewatching #newzealandtravel #flyingnz #aeroclub

Another student smashing their goals! 💥
Congratulations to @charlie.hegan for completing his PPL with us this weekend! What an achievement 🥳
#kaikoura #flyingnz #ppl #kac #kaikouraaeroclub #aeroclub #nzflying

biggest congratulations to Alexis Harmon for passing her CPL ✈️🎉
From going Solo to PPL to CPL with us, we couldn’t be more proud of your achievements 🎊
All the best in your aviation journey, we can’t wait to see where the skies will take you 🛫

Paul, our vice president, just went solo in a tail dragger! ✈️
WOOHOO! well done Paul 🕺🏼🎊

✈️ Get ready to soar to new heights with our newest whale watching aircraft- the Nanchang! 💥
Join us on a private flight, with just yourself and the pilot, ensuring you have the best seat in the sky 🧑🏽‍✈️🐋
The all around windows provide unparalleled views, making sure you’ll never miss a moment of the majestic marine life below 🌊🐬
🪅 #whalewatching #flying #aprilfools 🃏

lil EHS with big EHS ✈️
how amazing is this painting done by Peter Laing!
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#kac #airkaikoura #kaikouraaeroclub #aeroclub #nz #flyingnz #kaikoura #kaikouranz #nz #newzealand #aviationnz #aviation #airkk #ga8 #airvan

Ever thought about learning to fly? ✈️
Why not come give it a go to see if it’s for you? We have instructors available we love being able to take people up for their first ever flight!
We can look at getting you solo, and all the way through to getting your PPL 👩🏽‍✈️
Bonus is that the views are amazing! 🤍
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#kaikouranz #kac #kaikouraaeroclub #aeroclub #learntofly #aviation #aviationlovers #aviationnz #kaikoura #nz #newzealand #flyingnz #pilottraining #ppl

Flying around Kaikōura is always beautiful 🤍
#kaikouranz #airkaikoura #aviation

we say goodbye to a fantastic staff member, Allara, who is spreading her wings to join AirNZ! We are incredibly thankful for all of her hard work, and extremely proud of Allara’s achievement! ✈️

woohoo 🎉 HUGE congratulations to George for his first solo 👏🏼

Snowy mountains, glassy seas and lots of whales has made for an epic week of flying ✈️

we have had some epic conditions for flight training this week ✈️ 🤙🏼

Stunning day in Kaikoura, from the mountains to the sea. The ultimate experience! 🌊🏔️🐳☀️

now that’s the pot of gold we’re talking about! 🍯🌈
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#airkaikoura #kaikouraeroclub #cesna172 #ga8 #airvan #kaikouranz #kaikoura #nz #newzealand #aviation #flyingnz #aeroclub #whalewatching #aviationlovers #avgeek #cesna #aircraft

Great to see this Southern Right Whale hanging out in Kaikoura

Air Kaikoura..

Good morning, Air Kaikoura is excited to be offering our air services from Blenheim to Nelson return from Friday the 26th of August. We will be operating these flights 7 days per week or as demand requires.

Our schedule and prices will be as follows.
Adults $175 PP Children $150 or return for $270 PA Children $250 PC

Morning:
Departing Blenheim (Omaka) 7.30 am, arrive Nelson 8am.
Depart Nelson at 8.30am, arrive Omaka 9am.

Afternoon:
Depart Blenheim (Omaka) 4.00pm, arrive Nelson at 4.30pm.
Depart Nelson at 5.00pm, arrive Blenheim (Omaka) at 5.30pm.

Conditions, includes minimum of 4 passengers for the flight to take place. Carry on luggage only.

We are also available for other charter inquiries and can carry freight on demand.

Please call us on 0800247524 for further conditions and information, or email as at info@airkaikoura.co.nz

It’s coming into our favourite time for seeing whales! 🐳 In the winter we have plentiful sperm whales sightings, and we see humpback whales passing by on their migration north. Add to that beautiful snowy mountains, it’s a great time to fly!

The sperm whale captured thanks to @theafterworkphotographer. See our website or call 03 319 6579 to book.

#kaikoura #spermwhale #scenicflight

Some awesome photos of our club day last weekend up to Omaka! The 2 airvans were flown up full of club members to see the restored WW2 Mosquito start up.

A great day out, thanks to club member and photographer @classified_pilot_ for the shots and @tracyhamie.

We are always keen to hear from new people who want to join the club and come on trips like this!

#aeroclub #clubday #omaka #mosquito #kaikoura #airvan #flyingnz

Transfers into Christchurch Airport on a stunning afternoon. Much easier than driving through the Hundalees!

#aeroclub #airvan #christchurch #kaikoura #flying

Flight training today with the best views ☀️✈️

#learntofly #flyingnz #southisland #cpltraining #kaikoura

The weather is clearing and we have been treated to beautiful snow on the mountains! Tomorrow is looking like a beautiful day, great time for a scenic flight to see some summer snow before it melts 🌞🗻✈️

#kaikouranz #airkaikoura #flyingnz #scenicflight #summersnow

ZK-DUQ departing from runway 23 for her new home in the North Island. Today the club had to say goodbye to her after 38 years of service, over 6000 whale watch flights and club trips all over the country. #airkaikoura #zkduq #kaikouranz

Ops manager and Air Kaikoura pilot Murray photographed in his Highlander, flying over a river just South of Kaikōura.
This time a year, there are a lot of whales in Kaikoura, but the scenery is certainly great too!

📸 @zkgho

#kaikoura #kaikouranz #exploreCHC #wellingtonnz #newzealand #airkaikoura #dosomethingnewNZ #blueplanet #nzgeo #planetearth #wildlife #wildlifephotography
#aptroute #nzmustdo #nztravel #explorelocalnz

Sharing this awesome picture from @farfadexphotography The humpbacks are currently hanging out in the area and on a good day they spent some time with the local dolphins.

#spermwhale
#whales
#whalewatching
#kaikoura
#kaikouranz
#exploreCHC
#wellingtonnz
#newzealand
#airkaikoura
#wellingtonairport
#wildlifephotography
#blueplanet
#nzgeo
#planetearth
#wildlife
#dosomethingnewNZ
#aptroute
#nzmustdo
#nztravel
#explorelocalnz

One of our fantastic students Adam went on his first solo last month! And he did it in just under 8 hours! Well done Adam, great flying 👏✈
#flying #training #aeroclub #flighttraining #solo #firstsolo #congratulations #2021 #letsgo

Both of our aircraft snapped in Wellington last week!
One with freight, the other with passengers!
Just some of the many tasks our experienced Pilots and aircraft can do.
For any aerial needs contact us on info@airkaikoura.co.nz or 0800 247 524

#wellington #kaikoura #whale #whales #airport #aircraft #work #aviation #aerial #plane #planes #toandfrom #freight #freightforwarding #newzealand #wellingtonnz

Beautiful Blue Whale!
Today on one of our flights our Pilot Austen and his passengers found a lone blue whale passing through Kaikoura waters.
These guys can grow upto approx 30m and 180 tonne!

#bluewhale #kaikoura #flight #sealife #sea #newzealand #photography #vibes #friday #plane #ga8 #aviation

Another beautiful evening in Kaikoura! The Kaikoura Aero club offers more than just scenic flights. Flight training from trail flights right up to CPL syllabus training and C-Cat instructor ratings are available. All enquires are welcome 🙂
📸 : @allarag
#kaikoura #kaikouranz #dosomethingnewnz #whalewatching #airkaikoura #newzealand #purenz #nzmustdo #scenicflights #travelphotography #newzealandguide #landscape #coast #southisland #instatravel #purenewzealand #whales #dolphins #pilotlife #aviation #pilottraining

The Sperm Whale is a local resident of Kaikoura and the best views are from the air! Come with us on a whale flight and see the full length of the whale 🐋

#kaikoura #kaikouranz #dosomethingnewnz #whalewatching #airkaikoura #newzealand #purenz #nzmustdo #scenicflights #travelphotography #newzealandguide #landscape #coast #southisland #instatravel #purenewzealand #whales #dolphins

Hoppy Easter from Air Kaikoura 🐰 We are open for flying over the holidays so come on down for an egg-citing whale watching experience! 🐳

#kaikoura #kaikouranz #dosomethingnewnz #whalewatching #airkaikoura #newzealand #purenz #nzmustdo #scenicflights #travelphotography #newzealandguide #landscape #coast #southisland #instatravel #purenewzealand #whales #dolphins

We currently have specials on our whale flights!
Book in now before seats run out 🛩
Specials are now $119 for a 30 minute whale watch flight or;
$129 for a full 40 minute whale watch flight.

We normally get Sperm Whales in Kaikoura but sometimes we get special visitors like this one, the mighty blue whale! Did you know that their tongues can weigh as much as an Elephant? Or that they are the loudest animals on the planet!

#whale #bluewhale #sea #newzealand #kaikoura #sealife #flying #marinelife #spermwhale #airkaikoura @airkaikoura @kaikouranz

Another great flight to Wellington! If you'd like to book your next trip with us, we fly regularly to Wellington from Kaikoura return on Fridays and Sundays and also the long weekend. Book now via our website https://airkaikoura.rezdy.com/catalog/399589/kaikoura-wellington-flights

Or contact us on 0800 247 524 or info@airkaikoura.co.nz
Big thanks to @zkaviation for the great photos
#wellington #Kaikoura #travel

Another great flight with our Pilot Austen from Kaikoura to Wellington and back again. We now do this flight every Friday and Sunday so please get in contact with us if you're looking to fly with us! Call on 0800 247 524 or email at info@airkaikoura.co.nz

#flying #wellington #newzealand #wellingtonflights #explorenz

Wellington flights! We now fly from Kaikoura to Wellington return on Friday and Sunday. Flights are $150pp adults $100pp for children. Also we can stop off in Blenheim if people are interested! Let us know if you'd like to fly with us

Recently we’ve been treated to lots of Humpback Whale sightings, including these guys who made friends with a small group of Dusky Dolphins! 📸~ @alexisharmon_nz #airkaikoura #whalewatching #humpback #duskydolphins

Congratulations to Austen, one of our line Pilots for passing his C category flight instructor license! 🎉

#sunrise #kaikoura #newzealand #travel #cessna172 #whalewatching #spermwhale #coast

Throw🔙 to December when the Kaikoura canyon had Fin and Sei whales visiting #whalewatching #airkaikoura #kaikoura #aptroute

Woo hoo! New aircraft for the Aero Club. Over the past month we have been operating ZK-EHS on our whale watching and scenic tours. Larger windows and air conditioning make for a more comfortable flight. Ex CEO and life member Ernie Graham approves. 🛩✈️ #airvan #airkaikoura #whalewatching #kaikoura #aptroute

It’s been an amazing week for whale watching so far. Today on a flight our passengers got to see a large pod of orca pursuing a young whale 📸@alexisharmon_nz #airkaikoura #orca #killerwhales #kaikoura #whalewatching #whalewatchingflight #aptroute

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