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Private tour in Christchurch Dermot H
Kaikoura Day Tour with Whale Watching from Christchurch
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10 hours
1
Tour date
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10 hours
1
Dermot H.
4.9
Guide rating
83
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Tours delivered
3 hrs
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I am a Private Guide that offers Private tours specialising in the Christchurch and Akaroa area. I have been guiding visitors around the South Island since 1996. This is a remarkably diverse and beautiful island and I consider myself to have the best job in the world! I have travelled a lot myself and genuinely find visitors and their individual stories interesting. My aim is to offer a very personal small group tour which is flexible. . . . . and I hope fun. My most popular tour these days is from cruise ship visitors arriving at Akaroa wanting a Day Excursion to Christchurch and the local area in my 11 seater minibus. . . . . but I also offer tours up to 10 days long all over NZ to Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook, Dunedin, Queenstown, Milford Sound, the West Coast, Abel Tasman or any number of other stunning destinations. My passions are food, cooking, sailing and of course travel. As an ex- teacher I hope I can share with you a bit about the interesting human and natural history as well as the various cultures of this unique land. I am happy to run GEOCACHING TOURS for interested groups. . . . . . . . and have access to 22 / 33 seater buses for larger groups. Passenger Service Licence #0227492 with Private Hire Registration (both SPSL and LPSL), Drivers Licence (1,2,4,6 with Passenger Endorsement), member of the NZ Bus and Coach Assn and ProGuides NZ. Vehicle operates with Certificate of Fitness (renewed every 6 months) and Certificate of Loading (note: this is a legal requirement for tour operations in NZ). Red Cross Comprehensive First Aid Certificate. Bus and Coach Assn Public & Carriers Liability Insurance (Lowe, Scholum and Jones). Japanese Profficiency Test Level 3. Bachelor of Science (Auckland University), Diploma of Secondary Teaching (Christchurch), Cert. TESL (Massey Uni.)
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Dermot H.
Includes the world famous catamaran tour from Kaikoura (usually see sperm or humpback whales...90% success rate)!
Overview of your Christchurch tour
So, you are considering visiting Kaikoura and Whale Watching. . . . join me on this tour. . . . I travelled for many years before settling down on the east coast of the South Island, near the sea, over 30 years ago. My past adventures included many off-shore sailing trips where whales were encountered in their natural environment. . . I still find these huge creatures fascinating. . . and they still excite me. . . . . I recommend this tour as a safe, informative way to experience them. I am passionate about nature, history and cultures. . . . . . as we make our way north you will enjoy the spectacular landscape with its wild beaches and rich sealife. . . . . and I will take you on a historical journey as well and tell you about the people who live and have lived here through the years. I will bring along my knowledge as a teacher and local and try my best to make this a day you will never forget !
Your Christchurch tour itinerary
Leaving Christchurch at 8 AM, we drive north on State Highway 1 through northern Canterbury to Kaikoura (2. 5 - 3 hours and a 220 km). Our trip passes through the Canterbury Plains, the Waipara wine region, Cheviot and the scenic coastal SH1. . . look out for seals, dolphins (up to 500 in 1 pod !), crayfish pots and seabirds along this fascinating, rocky coast. Arriving Kaikoura at 12 PM we explore the area and you will sail on the Whale Watch Kaikoura catamaran (a 3. 5 hour boat trip out into the Pacific Ocean to look for these giant creatures and other sea life . . dolphins, albatrosses, seals etc. are often seen). Whale species encountered in the past include orcas, pilot whales, blue whale and many others. This world-famous trip uses large, stable modern aluminium catamarans for their speed and safety. The guides are very experienced and provide a huge amount of information on whales and their habitat. Arrival back in Christchurch between 7 and 8 PM.
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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation
Transportation is in our 11 seater (plus driver) 2013 Toyota Hiace minibus. Individual recliners seats with air conditioner. Very tidy and comfortable.......maximum capacity is 11 passengers.
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Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:
- You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
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10 hours
1
Tour date
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10 hours
1
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
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