Activities - New Zealand
Whale Watch
Kaikoura, on the east coast of the South Island, north of Christcurch, is the main centre for whale watching in New Zealand. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales.
The 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. Sperm Whales dive 2km into the dark abyss of the Kaikoura Canyon to hunt prey such as the Giant Squid. Many of Kaikoura's Sperm Whales wear battle scars from close encounters with this monster of the deep.
The resident population of sperm whales at Kaikoura can be seen all year round. Orca (killer whales) may be seen from December to March, and humpback whales in June and July. Several dolphin species are seen almost daily in the area.
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