Whale Watching -- Kaikoura

(This article was first published in Small World Ezine on 3 December 2002)

This is a nice time to visit New Zealand. It's spring going
to be summer there, perfect for one of New Zealand's most
visited spots -- Kaikoura. 

 

"Kaikoura" ("crayfish food") is an old fisherman's town on
the west coast (Kaikoura penninsula) of the South Island of 
New Zealand. What makes it famous is that there are two 
strong ocean currents from the pacific which converge in 
the deep water canyons which result for a very unique 
ecosystem including a number of marine wildlife and birds
not far from the shore. It's a good diving spot too.

There are crayfish, blue cods, and others that have 
attracted fishermen (commercial and recreational) to the 
place since the beginning of time. But for sightseeing 
tourists, it must be the Fur seals, Dusky dolphins and 
several kinds of whales that live not very far away. On a 
nice day, we can even see dolphins and seals from the 
shore.

This is not just a mere over-exaggerating ad. While we 
(I and 2 friends) were driving from Picton (the port town) 
south toward Kaikoura, we emerged (from a tunnel) to the 
breezy sea-side highway (highway no.1 if I remember it 
right) and saw a tourist bus park on the side of the street 
with all passengers out on the stony sea shore. So we 
stopped our car and went to see...

You won't believe it. There were seals sunbathing on the 
shore... just on the side of the highway. Not one, but more 
than ten of them, big and small. There was a sign on the 
side telling us to be quiet and refrain from giving food. 
That means the herd has been there for at least quite a 
time. The other sign said it was one of the preservation. 
That's amazing!

We stayed in the Kaikoura Youth Hostel (YHA). There are 
numbers of other hostels, inns and hotels in Kaikoura. The 
Youth Hostel is on the beach road just a minute drive from 
town. If you keep driving southward along the black-sanded 
beach until the end of the penninsula, you'll get to another 
seal habitant!  You can see them in their natural home 
without having to pay an entrance fee. Rough map here 
http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/ .

Oh and you can see a snowy mountain range in a distant while 
standing on the beach looking up north. 

Anyway, the reason we put Kaikoura in our travel plan was 
its famous whalewatching activity. There is a "Whaleway 
station" you can get to find several whalewatching tour 
operators.  There are also more of them in town.

The day we went out (in a tiny engined inflated raft - how
is it called?), there was no Sperm whales nearby. Our guide
pulled out a long metal stick (said to be the sonar 
detector) and put it in the sea. He listened from his 
headphone for a while and said there was a chance to find
some killer whales. If we were lucky we could get to see 
them. But throughout the three-hour trip we were lucky 
enough only to see some hard to find sea birds, seals, and 
New Zealand's Dusky dolphins (at this point my friend said 
the plastic whales must have been out of order). Now the guy
said if we saw the dolphins, we won't see the Killer whales
because they were natural enemy.

Actually seeing the dolphins was not too bad. They (about 12 
of them -- dark, with a lighter stripe on each side, much 
smaller than Flipper) swam with us for about almost an hour. 
I got all in my handycam. This is one of my most memorable 
trips. And not that there're no dolphins in Thailand. I used 
to go out in the sea with dolphins before (they like to swim 
with us). But somehow... the weather and the atmosphere 
were just right. And they were so close to us. (My friend 
still thought they were plastic :-)). 

There is also helicopter tour, but I think going in this 
tiny raft is much more touchy. (Oh one thing I like about 
this place, they gave me the "small" sized life vest LOL.
In the Philippines I am a giant, can't even put on an XL 
shirt sometimes).


This country is great for those who love nature, the sun 
and sand, mountains and lakes, etc. I did not talk about 
their flowers, herbs and the unique plants yet. 


The people were also friendly. Whenever we approached 
someone on the street with a map, they'd be, "You are lost,
aren't you?", and would not hesitate to help when they
could. 

Oh and the sheep... they are so cute!

 

More:


New Zealand is also the gateway to the South Pacific Island
(and the South Pole). The largest airport is in Auckland on
the North Island. On the South island, Christchurch Airport 
handles some International flights. You can even go there
with cruise lines from Australia and even U.S.A. Don't
forget to check if you need to apply for a visa. Those from
Australia, U.S.A., Canada, E.U., and Japan do not need to 
have a visa, but you need to have a valid passport (at 
least 6 months beyond the expected time of departure) and
a confirmed return ticket... If you are not staying for 
more than 3 months.


From the North island there is a big ferry service you 
can take from Wellington (the capital city) to Picton (the
northern port of the South Island). Everything comes with 
this ferry line; cars, motorcycles, buses, and even trains.

Two thing you might need to know... 

- If you are planning to drive, it's so convenient... but
you will have to study the traffic code and signs (all the
car rental services will give it to you together with the 
map). And remember they drive on the left side of the road.
Do not exceed the speed limit. My other friend had came 
back for a week when he received a ticket (one NZ dollar 
per an exceeded kilometre per hour). In the attached letter 
they said they'd send his photo taken by the hidden speed 
camera for NZ$7 !

- Electricity... The power current in New Zealand is AC 230 
volts, 50 cycles, and most power sockets accept only 
three-pin, flat plugs. If you do not have your own
adaptor, you should buy one at the airport upon arrival.