Whale Watch Kaikoura said it will start operating whale watching trips from Monday.

The company suspended operations after the magnitude 7.8 quake in November which lifted the sea floor around Kaikoura and cut off access to the coastal tourism town.

Whale Watch Kaikoura said it has conducted a series of successful trials of a modified trailer unit to launch its vessel Tohora in the Kaikoura Marina where there has also been interim repair work.

Founded in 1987, Whale Watch was a key factor in turning around the town's economy.

It's a local community trust that belongs to the Maori people of Kaikoura, who operate in partnership with their tribe Ngai Tahu.

The company said tourists can reach Kaikoura as the inland road is now fully open both ways, and State Highway 1 south of the town is also open between the hours of 6am - 8pm daily.