“Mind-blowing.”
“Totally unforgettable.”
“Bestest boat experience ever.”
“The highlight of our whole trip to New Zealand."
When you encounter Kaikoura seabirds, you will leave transformed. Share the experience.
Your Albatross Encounter
Welcome to where majestic birds soar and dive over stunning waters beneath endless sky. Discover many species of albatross and pelagic birds on your Albatross Encounter tour, an unforgettable experience in one of New Zealand’s most breath-taking destinations.
What you'll experience
Get a closer encounter
You'll be amongst friends.
See More!
Albatross, shearwaters, petrels & more.
The trip of a lifetime
That doesn't take all day
We Care!
Learn how to help the wildlife
Refund Guarantee
We have a very high success rate
Your Albatross Tour off the KaikŌura Coast
A short boat ride and you're in an entirely new world, where you'll discover a large variety of pelagic birds including albatross, shearwaters, petrels, penguins, gannets, skuas, terns and more.
You're on-board a boat designed just for this experience, giving you the best perspectives to watch and take photos. With a maximum of only 11 others on each tour, it's an intimate and special experience that brings you as close to the wildlife as possible. For photographers it's a dream come true!
Our staff, on-board identification guides and souvenir information pack, will help you learn about what you're seeing - or you can just stand back and let the wonder of nature overwhelm your senses.
Meet our KaikŌura Seabirds
Within just a small area, you'll meet one of the greatest varieties of seabirds you'd find anywhere along the New Zealand coastline.
The list of seabirds sighted off the Kaikoura Coast include five species of great albatross, up to ten species of the smaller lesser albatross (commonly referred to as mollymawks), ten species of shearwaters, fifteen species of petrel, and several other species of seabirds such as shags, prions, penguins, gulls and terns.
CARING for our natural environment
We are privileged to have the abundance of marine life here in Kaikoura and we don’t take this for granted. In 2009 we established the Encounter Foundation specifically to support organizations and groups that are actively working on projects that result in improving the health of the natural environment through conservation, education and research.
We donate a portion of each customer fare to the Encounter Foundation to support worthy projects which make an impact on ensuring our environment is preserved and treasured for future generations.
Thank you for enabling us to do this – your support of our business is making a difference in a very positive way.
SAVOUR DELICIOUS LOCAL FARE AND WATERFRONT VIEWS AT OUR BEACHSIDE CAFÉ
Seabirds come to Kaikoura to dine in the food-rich surroundings. Seems like a good idea to follow their example.
In our fully-licensed café, you'll enjoy great locally-sourced coffee and cuisine before or after your albatross tour. Our spacious dining area includes indoor and outdoor areas, so whether you want to soak up the sun or take a little time out, you'll find the spot for you.
Find us on the Kaikoura beachfront, just an easy 2.5 hour drive north from Christchurch
We're based at our Encounter Kaikoura facility, located right on the beachfront at 96 Esplanade, Kaikoura. It's an easy walk from Kaikoura's central township and accommodation.
Kaikoura is Located on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, midway between Christchurch and Blenheim.
Meet our Kaikoura Seabirds
Within just a small area, you'll meet one of the greatest varieties of seabirds you'd find anywhere along the New Zealand coastline.
The list of seabirds sighted off the Kaikoura Coast include five species of great albatross, up to ten species of the smaller lesser albatross (commonly referred to as mollymawks), ten species of shearwaters, fifteen species of petrel, and several other species of seabirds such as shags, prions, penguins, gulls and terns.
LEARN MORE
Caring for our natural environment
We are privileged to have the abundance of marine life here in Kaikoura and we don’t take this for granted. In 2009 we established the Encounter Foundation specifically to support organizations and groups that are actively working on projects that result in improving the health of the natural environment through conservation, education and research.
We donate a portion of each customer fare to the Encounter Foundation to support worthy projects which make an impact on ensuring our environment is preserved and treasured for future generations.
Thank you for enabling us to do this – your support of our business is making a difference in a very positive way.
We are privileged to have the abundance of marine life here in Kaikoura and we don’t take this for granted. In 2009 we established the Encounter Foundation specifically to support organizations and groups that are actively working on projects that result in improving the health of the natural environment through conservation, education and research.
We donate a portion of each customer fare to the Encounter Foundation to support worthy projects which make an impact on ensuring our environment is preserved and treasured for future generations.
Thank you for enabling us to do this – your support of our business is making a difference in a very positive way.
“Simply Awesome!”
Kaikoura: A wonder of land and sea.
Kaikoura is a place of extraordinary natural beauty and rich history. Emerging from mountains and lush farmland, the Kaikoura Peninsula is a stepping stone to the world’s greatest marine playground.
Albatross Conservation: It’s up to all of us.
We’re committed to protecting Kaikoura’s albatross, environment and other marine life. Our tours are designed to operate with the least impact possible. When you tour with us, you can be confident the albatross and the environment won’t regret your presence.
Savour delicious local fare and waterfront views at our beachside café
A feast for your eyes and your appetite
Seabirds come to Kaikoura to dine in the food-rich surroundings. Seems like a good idea to follow their example.
In our fully-licensed café, you'll enjoy great locally-sourced coffee and cuisine before or after your albatross tour. Our spacious dining area includes indoor and outdoor areas, so whether you want to soak up the sun or take a little time out, you'll find the spot for you.
