Kaikoura Whale Watching

The North Canterbury coast of New Zealand’s South Island is a rural area surrounded by the Southern Alps and Seaward Kaikoura ranges. Kairkoura Peninsula looks out onto the Pacific Ocean, where giant sperm whales seals make their home in the deep blue waters of Kaikoura Canyon, a 2K deep chasm just off shore from the peninsula. The sperm whale population is made up primarily of adolescent males who use the canyon to prepare for mating. They spend about 45 minutes of every hour under the water feeding, and surface for about 15 minutes to breathe. Only 10 percent of the whale is visible on the surface (like an iceberg!), but the water spouts are visible for quite a distance. When they are done breathing, they make a slow, graceful dive and begin feeding again.

It makes you wonder if they know they have an audience! Whale watching voyages frequently include sightings of other animals that are native to the Kaikoura Penninsula - albatross, seagulls, fur seals and dolphins. There are more photos of our voyage in the newest slide show.