WHALES IN KAIKOURA

A BUCKET LIST ESCAPE

You’ve seen the iconic tail shot a hundred times, but no image can prepare you for the enormity of these magnificent creatures. Reaching up to 20 metres in length, Kaikoura’s resident sperm whales are the largest carnivore on the planet.

Kaikoura, a scenic 2 ½ hour drive north of the south island's largest city, Christchurch, is one of the few spots in the world where you can observe sperm whales up close. The largest of the toothed whales, they feed by diving deep into the ocean, rewarding you with that once-in-a-lifetime photograph! In Kaikoura, the resident population of sperm whales can be seen all year. Visit between December and March, and you may also be lucky enough to see orca (killer whales), while humpback whales can be spotted in June and July.

A variety of dolphin species can also be seen in the vicinity almost daily, dancing through the waters in pods as large as several hundred!

Because of the unique undersea landscape of Kaikoura, whales thrive here. The continental shelf abruptly dips into a series of deep undersea canyons and in addition, a warm northerly current collides with a colder southerly one. This causes nutrients from deep inside the water to rush upwards, benefiting everything from plankton and krill to dolphins and whales.

Whale watching cruises depart all year round, these modern catamarans are equipped with engines that create minimal noise, fantastic viewing platforms and special underwater microphones to track the whales up to 8 miles away. Alternatively, for a birds-eye view, choose a helicopter or light aircraft tour for an unbelievable view of these incredible creatures at their full, imposing length.  With an average spot rate of 95%, whichever way you choose to witness these majestic whales, it’s bound to take your breath away!

Contact us today and our Travel Consultants will be in touch to start planning your perfect bucket-list escape!