Whale Watching During Winter?
 

My wife and I are traveling to NZ in late July/early August and we're hoping to see some whales off Kaikoura.
Is whale watching a year around activity?
If so, has anyone done a whale tour around this time of year?
Thanks for the tips!

TB

Hi Bug!

no worries -- whale watching (sperm whales -- the BIG ones!) is a year round activity.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Sweet! What about Orcas?

I saw three whales on a Dolphin and whale trip in the Auckland Harbour. They said they go out all year as long as the weather is ok. It was awesome. Different from the ones with the tails in Kaikoura. We saw the whole whales.
The dolphins corraled the fish into one area, birds dive bombed the site. It was obvious something would go off. A whale heard all the noise and reared up through the middle of it all scooping up fish.
It was the highlight of our trip.

In Auckland a great eco-centred cruise is to go dolphin swimming with the Dolphin Explorer. (http://www.dolphinexplorer.com/) It's actually a marine mammal research vessel but they take paying passengers to pay for the research. You'll see dolphins, orca and Brydes whales on a good day.

For more on Auckland have a look at

http://New-Zealand-Travel-Guide.com/auckland.htm