Does the weather affect the tours?
The Kaikōura Coast is an exposed coastal area, and the weather can be changeable. Please check the weather forecast before you travel to Kaikōura, especially if you are travelling here specifically to participate on the tour.
Management reserves the right to cancel tours if the conditions are deemed unsuitable. We will always maximise the possibility of operating and tours can be cancelled at very short notice due to unsuitable and changeable sea conditions.
Please be advised that we may not be able to automatically forward you onto the next scheduled tour as this will be subject to availability at time of request.
Should weather conditions change during a tour, resulting in the tour being prematurely terminated; a partial refund will normally apply, subject to how much of the tour has been successful.
You can check your phone app for Kaikōura’s weather or New Zealand Met Service. You can also check the weather and sea conditions by calling us on 0800 733 365 and we will be happy to assist you.
What temperature is the water?
The water temperature rarely rises above 18 degrees Celsius in the summer months and drops to around 9 degrees Celsius in the winter months. To keep you comfortable in the water we provide good quality 5mm wetsuits with hoods, with a 5mm jacket, providing 10mm of insulation around your core. In the colder months of winter, we also provide you with gloves and booties.
All boats have deck showers available to help you warm up when you have finished swimming, and hot showers back at our base after you return from the tour.
will i get seasick?
Our tours are an open ocean experience and sea sickness is often experienced, even in slight sea conditions.
We recommend taking medication prior to your tour to combat sea sickness. We sell Sea Legs (medication) and ginger tablets at the front desk which you can purchase at check in.
Sea sickness is not grounds for seeking a refund from the tour.
