Our day began with checking out of our hotel and searching for a new one. With Kaikoura’s reputation as a whale watching centre, we booked a whale watching tour for the afternoon.
Our day began with weather similar to the last few days. But isn’t that sky brightening?
We quickly found a vacancy sign at a hotel in the centre of the strip. We had to wait for our room to be available so we asked about Kaikoura’s famous seafood. The clerk directed us to Kaikoura Seafood BBQ, about as 10 minute drive north along the beach.
We split a whole lobster for lunch. It was a very delicious meal.
The food truck is behind Lynne.
Technical point: they call these crayfish, in fact they are spiny rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii).
With Charli’s Seaside Refreshments alongside, we were able to have some very fine Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with our meal, so very civilized!
We headed back to the Whale Watch centre to await our tour, kind of exciting!
While killing some time in the giftshop, we came across a sign indicating that we also might see seals, dolphins and wandering albatrosses.
So off to get in line for our bus to the port.
As we headed down to the port the sky gave promising signs.
Heading out on the water. Sky still brightening.
What happened to the sky?
Where are the whales?
The most common whales seen here are sperm whales which are resident all year round. Humpbacks and blue whales can also be seen!
Oh look, there are some dolphins.
They came right alongside and gave us quite a good show. These were dusky dolphins.
We did see dolphins and wandering albatrosses, but we didn’t see any whales.
We followed the dolphins for a while and then the captain came on. She told us that it was time to go back to harbour, and that since we hadn’t seen any whales, there would be a big refund on our tour.
We had a nice afternoon out on the water and the discount somewhat offset the disappointment of not seeing a whale.
We suffered over yet more beautiful seafood and prepared for another day on the road.
We’d have far rather seen whales. We tried to book again but all of the tours for the next day were already sold out.
Our advice for future travellers would be to book your Kaikoura visit well in advance This is a very popular and busy tourist spot. Allow enough time that if at first you don’t succeed, you could try again.
Grampafacts 