Whale Watching Kaikoura

 

Whale Watching by Boat

Whale Watch Kaikoura, is a great way to spend a day, based in the Old railway station. They sail a number of times a day, trips last about 3 and a half hours. Kaikoura is wildlife haven, there are plenty of different species that you’ll encounter on the trip. Numerous bird life, not least the Royal Albatross.

Up close to the whales.

The Sperm Whale is the largest toothed whale. Reaching lengths of 20m and weighing 50 tonnes and living for around 70 years. Whilst out watching it is the tell tale spout of water that people are eagerly searching for; there is a stir of excitement when the first spout is spotted.

I think this is a Tern or something. It's big whatever it is.

It is the marine life that most people come see, the Whales being the star attraction.

 

Watch for the water spout.

The whale watching boats are fitted with Hydrophone which basically is an underwater microphone where they can listen to the clicks of the whales sonar, and direction the boats to the whales.

Coming for the Dusky Dolphins is worth it alone.

There are a number of different ways to see the whales and each of the operators communicate with each other, so when a whale is spotted there is usually a race to get there first, you will see helicopters and planes circling over a whale, as well as a couple of boats. The department of conservation is very good though and limit the number of vessels that are allowed around the whales and also limit how close you can get. The whales don’t seem bothered by the visitors photographing them .