Kaikoura - Whale Watching

Kaikoura and Whale Watching

With a population of approximately 3,200 residents, Kaikoura township is located on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath the mountains.In the waters off the peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds making it an ideal place for getting 'close to nature'. A town with its own fascinating history, archaeological remains indicate that Moa Hunters inhabited the peninsula 900 years ago.In Maori legend, Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura peninsula to steady himself while he 'fished-up' the North Island. The Maori name Kaikoura translates to 'meal of crayfish' (Kai - food, koura - crayfish), and it is crayfish for which the region has traditionally been famous.The area's abundant food sources attracted Maori settlement, and the remains of several pa sites can still be seen on the peninsula to this day.

In 1770 Captain Cook first discovered the Kaikoura peninsula, believing it to be an island.The first shore whaling station was established in 1843, located near where Fyffe House still stands today. Other whaling stations soon followed, and at one stage the industry employed over one hundred men in the Kaikoura district alone.Whale

numbers steadily declined after 1850 and the exportation of them became un-economic, leading whalers to turn to alternative means of existence, such as farming. Whaling continued sporadically until as recently as 1964 when the last of NZ' s whaling operations ceased.

Today, the emphasis in Kaikoura is the conservation of marine life, working with a sustainable tourist industry which allows visitors from all over the world to appreciate life in the ocean. In 1978, the Marine Mammal Protection Act was finally passed, providing total protection to New Zealand’s whales, dolphins and seals.Kaikoura lies within the Southern Hemisphere Whale Sanctuary. Several different species of whale can be seen off Kaikoura at different times of the year, but almost always the huge Sperm Whales. Flukes lifting clear at the start of the deep dive, adolescent male Sperm Whales enjoy the rich diet of the Kaikoura waters while building up their strength to move to the mating grounds of the warm north. Regularly diving to depths of one kilometre, Sperm Whales have been known to dive to 3 kilometres, holding their breath for up to two hours - perhaps gulping down a few groper or wrestling with a giant squid.

The clean sharp fin of the Orca is often sighted in Kaikoura, and schools of Pilot Whales are occasional visitors.And everywhere the fun loving Dusky Dolphin.Fur seals, once almost hunted to extinction are now plentiful here, resting on warm rocks after a nights fishing.Seabirds, also enjoying the rich sea harvest, are abundant.

Off the Kaikoura coastline is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. Among them are Giant Sperm Whales that can grow up to 20 metres and weigh over 50 tons. These whales can be seen all year round making Kaikoura one of the most popular whale watching locations in the world. In addition to the sperm whale a number of different species of may also be seen, depending on the season, as they follow their migratory route. This unique marine experience also provides an opportunity to sight high-spirited Dusky Dolphins, the rare and endangered Hectors Dolphin, New Zealand Fur Seals and a wide variety of sea birds including the Royal Albatross.

Whale watching in New Zealand really brings one word to mind: Kaikoura. There are a host of places where dolphins can be seen, but to see whales, head to Kaikoura. The unique geography of the Kaikoura area, a series of very deep trenches just off the coast known as the Kaikoura canyon, provides a perfect environment for some key whale a dolphin prey species, including giant squid.

Sperm whales are the most common and visible species, and you are almost guaranteed to see one at anytime of the year, with the best months being in the summer (December to March). Orca are often seen too, feeding on the large pods of dusky and common dolphins that are resident all year. Other whales occasionally seen include Humpback and Pilot whales, and very occasional sightings of Cuviers Beaked, Southern Right and even giant Blue whales. As well as boat based tours, whales can be seen from the air, from either light aircraft or helicopters. This is a spectacular way to see the whales, and gives a great perspective. It is also possible to sea Kayak from Kaikoura which can be very exciting, but is more dependent on the weather.

Dolphins are also a major draw at Kaikoura, and this is one of the best places in the world to “swim with dolphins”. If you imagined that you will be swimming around leisurely spotting the dolphins as they swim below you, think again. This is the dolphins’ home environment, and if they want to come and see you, they will. Sometimes your best bet is to sing/groan/hum and if you hit the right note, you will suddenly become aware that you are not alone. On a good day the dolphins will swim around you, under you, upside down beneath you and they will even jump over you. Just as you begin to get used to it, they will disappear, and they will come and go at their whim.

Even if you don’t feel like the swim, boat based viewing can be very rewarding as you have a great chance of seeing the playful dusky dolphins, as well as possible sightings of Common and the rare Hectors dolphins (Strictly speaking, both Killer and Pilot whales are actually dolphins too).

(Information: Kaikoura.co.nz)