What whale species visit Kaikoura?
A variety of species of whale can be seen near Kaikoura. Sperm Whales can be seen all year round but, depending on the time of year, seven other species of whale can be seen in the waters of this region. Sperm Whales are the biggest of the toothed whales and, at up to 18.5 metres and 57 tonnes in weight, they are the world’s largest predator. This whale can dive as deep as 3km and stay submerged for 2 hours while hunting prey such as the Giant Squid. If you see a Sperm Whale with Whale Watch, be sure to keep an eye out for any of their battle scars that may have been acquired while battling with other creatures of the deep. As well as Sperm Whales, you may see 15m Humpback Whales, 10m Minke Whales, 3.4m Pygmy Sperm Whales, 17m Southern Right Whales, 7m Beaked Whales or even the almighty 33m Blue Whale weighing in at over 200 tonnes.
