We set off for Kaikoura after Blenheim ( approx 1 ½ hours drive) had been hit by a state of emergency. Roads were flooded and almost every mile was another slip. It was a gorgeous sunny day the water was flat and you’d never have believed the horrendous storm that had just gone through the area. Plenty of JUCY Rentals cars around.
We were on our way to Whale Watch Kaikoura to see the largest predator on the planet and the largest animal in the animal kingdom. It’s an incredible drive with magnificent views, snowy mountains and a lot of coastline, even a segment with dozens of beautiful seals basking on the rocks.
Whale Watch is located in the town of Kaikoura – a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from Christchurch in New Zealand’s South Island. Out from Kaikoura is the South Pacific’s widest trench. Male sperm whales dive and feed here. This canyon is the only canyon so close to mountain ranges just 80 metres. This deep undersea canyon combines with unusual sea currents to attract an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the Sperm Whale.
You can go out Giant Sperm Whale spotting at all times of the year. We saw three on the three hour trip we were on. Whale Watch scheduled tours operate daily. The company has a 95% success rate so they guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale.
Fast Facts on the sperm whale
Kaikoura’s resident Sperm Whales are the biggest of the toothed whales and the worlds’ largest carnivore. They are equivalent in size to four elephants. Each of their teeth can weigh more than a kilogram and grow to 20cm long.
Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season 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. There’s plenty of sea birds to spot while you look for the whale.