Kaikoura - Whales, Seals, Birds, Mountains

Had and amazing day in Kaikoura starting with a whale watching tour. This slick Maori run operation is a very impressive setup with several modern boats equiped with huge screens to give you some well presented background information about the whales, in the form of computer graphic animation, as you await the actual sightings. The guides were extremely good, even able to tell you when the whales were about to dive so you could get a tail photo. The only downside was the sea sickness inducing movement of these boats - quite a number of whale watchers lost their breakfasts.

Sightings of sperm whales are almost guaranteed due to the pod which lives near the coast at Kaikoura. Just off the coast the ocean quickly becomes very deep, more than 1000m. There is also a deep channel here where cold Antartic water and warmer water from the north mix, creating a situation of abundant wildlife.

In all, pretty impressive for a day out only 2 hours from Christchurch. An Hislop's organic cafe is a real treat for food in Kaikoura too!


Sperm Whale Tail



Sperm Whale - Identifiable by 45 degree blow hole



AM and Nadine - Whale Watching Tea Shop


Interesting rock formations on the beach


AM likes this picture of Kaikoura


White faced heron


Variable Oystercatchers


NZ Fur Seals (seal colony was a big hit!)


Not too bothered by people hanging around but a Seal's bite is 20 times more powerful than a dogs - another reason not to get too close!