Fun time with Flipper

May 24
Up and out of the parking spot reasonably early (partly cos we weren't meant to be there! We went to the dolphin encounter building where we were given full wetsuits, gloves, boots and hoods ready to get into the 14 degree water.
The boat headed south out of Kaikoura where some dolphin had been spotted earlier. They have a wide variety of marin life just off Kaikoura as there is a deep canyon where cold nutrient rich water comes from antarctic and warm water from the north mixes and comes to the surface. They get fur seals, Sperm Whales, Dolphin, Albatross and lots of migrating animals too.
We were looking for the Dusky Dolphin, otherwise known as the Acrobats of the sea, as they like to jump and somersault out of the water.

Flipper

We spotted a few Dolphin in the distance so adorned our kit and prepared to enter the water. As we got closer we realised that there were hundreds of Dolphin (around 400!). We got in the water, after an initial shock of the coldness it was soon forgotten as we were completely surrounded by Dolphin.

Hello Dolphins!

Watch out for the tuna nets

Swimming on the top, and round in circles, making noises and diving down we were plenty of entertainment for all of the Dolphin.

Dusky Dolphin

After an exhilarating 40 mins of being in the water we were called back to the boat, completely exhausted and ready for the Hot Chocolate and ginger biscuits they supplied.
As we set off back to the harbour the Dolphin enjoyed riding up by the bow of the boat and doing flips and jumps in the distance.

We started up the coast, stopping occasionally to look at the fur seals on rocks.
We headed and stopped in Renwick at a small Backpackers which allows campervans.

written by

James & Tracey on May 24, 2007 from Kaikoura, New Zealand

from the travel blog: James & Tracey World Tour

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I'm sure I could hear a rare dusky ginga whale drowning in the background too!

written by fish finder on May 24, 2007

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