Wings Over Whales Review: Is This Kaikōura Whale Watching Flight Worth It?

If you’re planning a South Island road trip, there’s a high chance Kaikōura is on your radar. And if it is – let’s be honest – seeing a whale is probably on your wishlist too. It’s what this popular coastal town is known for, after all.

We’ve tried whale watching tours in a few places now – mostly boat-based -but Kaikōura offered something we hadn’t done before: seeing whales by plane.

In this Wings Over Whales review, I’ll walk you through exactly what the flight experience is like, what wildlife you can expect, how it compares to boat and helicopter tours, and ultimately – whether it’s worth your time and money (even if you don’t spot a whale!).

Why We Chose Wings Over Whales

Every time we’re near the ocean, spotting whales becomes a bit of a mission. Whether it’s finding coastal lookout points or jumping on a tour, we’ll always give it a go. Kaikōura had been on our list for ages, and we couldn’t leave New Zealand without joining one of their famous whale watching tours.

We’d done boats before – and truthfully, I get a bit seasick – so when we saw that Kaikōura offered flights and they weren’t insanely priced, we were sold.

I did toy with the idea of a helicopter flight (mainly to tackle my fear of heights head-on). On a previous trip, we’d been cage diving with sharks in Bluff – so I was already doing a decent job of terrifying myself. But after seeing that fixed-wing planes offered double the flight time for about the same price, it seemed like a no-brainer.

We booked super last minute due to patchy weather, and Wings Over Whales were amazing – they got us on a plane even though it was just the two of us. Private flight? Yes, please.

What Will You See?

Kaikōura is one of the few places in the world with a resident population of Sperm Whales, which means your odds of seeing one are pretty solid – year-round too. No waiting for the migration season like in other spots.

Alongside the Sperm Whales, you might see:

• Humpback Whales (June–August)
• Orcas (December–March)
• Dusky Dolphins — almost a guarantee
• Blue Whales — incredibly rare, but it can happen

Plus occasional Southern Right or Pilot Whales

We didn’t see whales on our flight, but we did catch a pod of over 200 Dusky Dolphins, and it was genuinely unreal.

Seeing them from above, weaving and darting through the water, gave us a whole new perspective.

Plane vs Helicopter vs Boat: Which Whale Watching Tour is Best?

This comes down to personal preference – and budget. But here’s how we weighed it up:

A whale flight gives you the best aerial view – you can properly appreciate just how massive these creatures are. And you get bonus scenery: the snow-capped mountains, Kaikōura Peninsula, the coastline… it’s stunning.

Boats are great too – we’ve done a few elsewhere – but it’s more crowded, more time-consuming, and if you get queasy (like me), it’s a gamble.

Read our full breakdown in our Whale Watching tour comparison post!

What to Expect on a Whale Watching Flight with Wings Over Whales

Safety Briefing & Check-In

The Wings Over Whales crew were brilliant from the get-go. You’ll check in at their small terminal, watch a quick safety video and marine life overview, then get briefed before hopping aboard.

Pro tip: grab your selfies and scenic shots before the flight vest goes on – it’s not the most flattering look.

The Flight

You’ll be in a tiny plane – small enough to feel like a real adventure, but comfy enough to not be scary (much). Every seat has a window view, and the pilots make sure everyone gets a look if something’s spotted.

They also coordinate with boats out on the water to increase your chances. Our pilot even extended the flight slightly to give us another shot at spotting a whale – above and beyond service.

The Views

Even without a whale, it was breath taking: the Kaikōura Peninsula, snow-capped mountains, that vast Pacific coastline… Don’t stop looking out the window, even on the return leg.

Best Time to Go Whale Watching in Kaikōura

Sperm Whales are around all year – so technically, there’s no bad time.

That said, if you’re hoping to spot other species, here’s what to keep in mind:

• Humpbacks: June to August
• Orcas: December to March
• Dusky Dolphins: basically year-round
• Blue Whales: super rare, but possible

The earlier in the day you go, the better chance you’ll have with calmer winds – good to know for small planes!

Best Weather for a Whale Watching Flight in Kaikōura

It’s tempting to book your tour on a clear, sunny day – after all, who doesn’t love flying under blue skies? But bright sunshine can actually make it harder to spot whales from above, thanks to the glare it creates on the water.

What you really want is calm winds and light cloud cover. The clouds help reduce surface glare, making it easier to see through the water and spot any marine life below.

What We Actually Saw

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any whales during our flight – nature had other plans. But we did see that huge dolphin pod, and honestly, it was incredible.

And even though we were gutted not to tick “see a Sperm Whale from a plane” off our bucket list, we don’t regret the tour one bit.

It was a magical experience and one of the most scenic flights we’ve ever done.

Would we do it again? Absolutely – it’s unfinished business, New Zealand.

So… Is Wings Over Whales Worth It?

Yes. 100% yes.

Even without a whale sighting, it was still a bucketlist-worthy experience.

The views, the dolphins, the service from Wings Over Whales – all brilliant. And if we’d managed to spot a whale too? That would’ve just been the icing on the cake.

If you’re planning a South Island road trip and considering which Kaikōura whale watching tour to go for, a flight with Wings Over Whales is well worth adding to your itinerary .

Just don’t forget your camera – you never know what you’ll see from up there.