|
Whale
Watching in Kaikoura
Book
Kaikoura Whale Watch Tour
Kaikoura
Whale and Dolphin Overnight Tour
Kaikoura
Swim with Dolphins
Kaikoura
Whale Watch Day Tour with one way train
Whale
Watch pictures
Wings
Over Whales article
Wings
Over Whales pictures
Kaikoura
pictures
Hotels
and Accommodation in Christchurch
Whale Watching Tours from
Christchurch
By
Richard Moore
 The
kids ran to the side of the vessel with an excitement that is kept
for truly wonderful moments.
The
plume of spray jetted up several metres and the kids marvelled at
what they were seeing - a 60-tonne sperm whale only metres away.
It had been a fairly long hunt - an hour or so on choppy seas -
but it didn't matter as the older one's queasy stomach had disappeared.
Both
of their faces shone with excitement and their digital cameras clicked
away.
 They
were joined by a couple of dozen other folk who were witnessing
a natural marvel up close.
We
were part of the Whale Watch tour in Kaikoura - a must do if you
are in that lovely part of the South Island - and it is well worth
the money.
Whale
Watch is New Zealand's only marine-based whale watching company
offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the giant
Sperm Whale at all times of the year.
You
zip out to the deep Kaikoura canyon in one of Whale Watch's state-of-the-art
vessels and along the way get a very informative commentary on what
makes the area such a perfect spot for whale spotting.
 You
also get to know the names of the whales that live near Kaikoura
at various times of the year and this brings a more personal touch
to proceedings.
When
you are in the right area the boat's crew starts listening out for
sounds that the whales are about.
If
they don't hear anything it's off to another spot for a quick check.
 It
gets very exciting as the anticipation builds and when you finally
get to see one of the majestic creatures it is amazing to know you
are so close to a giant.
The
sperm whales are year-round residents in the area. Three
summer regulars are Tiaki, Little Nick & Noodle, while in winter
the residents that have come into the canyon are Tutu, Kaupapa and
Upoko Nui.
 While
the whales are the main drawcard to stars of the show, visitors
will also get to see pods of Dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals
and the endangered Wandering albatross.
Depending
on the time of year you may also see migrating humpback whales,
pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales.
 Kaikoura
often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home
to the world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's.
A trip
out to see the giants of the deep up close is a wonderful adventure
for young and old alike.
Whale
Watch tours have a 95% success rate and it guarantees an 80% refund
if your tour does not see a whale.
Book
Kaikoura Whale Watch tours
|
