Kaikoura is a unique place on the coast of the South Island (New Zealand). Once it was the center of whaling, and now Kaikoura attracts travelers with the fact that here you can watch dolphins and whales all year round.
Two currents meet here - the southern, cold and rich in plankton, which forms the basis of the food chain, ending with whales, seals and dolphins, and the warm, northern, raising living microorganisms from the depths. Another factor is the number of extremely deep coastal canyons that are home to octopuses, squid and large fish.
Many of the whales here are teenagers, feeding on relatively easy prey until they grow up. Whales dive into canyons for food and spend about three quarters of their time underwater. Excursions departing to meet them use hydrophones in order to determine the place of their stay by the sounds emitted by these animals and determine when and where they will emerge to the surface.
Kaikoura Bay is also home to Hector's dolphins. They are extremely small, very rare, and the opportunity to observe them while drinking coffee on the veranda is truly unique. Another amazing opportunity is provided by a boat trip to the dolphins, which in summer live a few kilometers from the coast. Being in good spirits, these energetic animals enjoy the presence of guests and arrange real performances for them, performing synchronized jumps, double somersaults or simply flopping on their belly.
