South Island: Kaikoura
Just a few short hours from Hanmer Springs is the whale
watching capital of New Zealand, Kaikoura. The town is located
next to the Hikurangi Channel, the biggest submarine channel in the southern
hemisphere which brings a variety of whales (and dolphins) close to shore
where they can be easily seen. Kaikoura is also the only "Green Globe" town
in New Zealand, as award given to areas that combine education, envronmental
improvement, with tourism. This town has built its reputation on outstanding
whale watching trips by Whale Watch
Kaikoura, a highly successful Maori run company that has won national
and international awards.
The weather that day, particularly the winds off shore, was marginal and
several whale watching tours were cancelled. We waited hopefully to see if
we could squeeze a whale watch trip during our limited stay. We were rewarded
with an outstanding trip: whales showed up and showed off, and several schools
of dolphins made an appearance as well. The young woman who provided the
commentary and information was as good as any guide we've listened to anywhere.
