Whale Watch - Kaikoura - South Island - Heaven

My ReactionToKaikoura the First Time.

My first trip to Kaikoura was mainly because I wanted to see W H A L E S and I heard that Kaikoura was the place to go. Kaikoura is located on the East side (about the middle) of the South Island.

It's coast is a plethera of sea life because the ocean floor drops so steeply, so closely to the land. There are several types of whales, the most commonly spotter are the Sperm Whales. Sperm Whales are the 4th largest of the remaining whales and are the only natural known predator of the giant sea squid. Once thought to be only legend, we now have proof that the giant sea squid exists - and every once in a while bits or babies wash up onto the shore or evidence is found in the form of marks (from their claw-like tentacles) on a Sperm Whale.

The first thing I did was go Whale Watching from the sky. They offer a choice of sea plane (too cramped for my taste) or a helicopter. Having taken a helicopter ride on the Great Barrier Reef - I couldn't wait to get back up there.

My KaikouraHelicopter Ride.

It was G R E A T to get up in the air and see the E N T I R E whale. They are so large you cannot see them in their entirety from the boat. Of course they don't look that big from the air.

They stay down for hours and hours... only coming up for about 40 minutes for air.

After my helicopter ride I wanted a look at them from sea level so I hopped on a boat and went whale watching again.

Apparently you don't see two of the together like this very often.

This one went down and was followed closely by the other.

They arch their backs right before they go down for their big dive.

And the last thing you see before they go down is of course the Tail Shot!

Sometimes, when the whale takes their big dive air is displaced. When it leaves a patch of smooth water it's known as A Whale's Footprint. :)

And of course the whales aren't the only thing to see in Kaikoura!

OtherKaikouraCritters

KaikouraMountains

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