KAIKOURA
KAIKOURA |
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KAIKOURA close to nature.............
Kaikoura is located on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath snowcapped mountains. In the waters of the peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds making it an ideal place for getting close to nature. And what better way to experience this than by sea kayak.
In Maori legend, Maui placed his foot on the Kaikoura Peninsula to steady himself while he 'fished-up' the North Island from his Waka. The Maori name Kaikoura translates to 'meal of crayfish' ( Kai - food, koura-crayfish ), and it is crayfish for which the region has traditionally been famous. The area's abundant food sources attracted Maori settlement, and the remains of several pa sites can still be seen on the peninsula today.
In 1770 Captain Cook first discovered the Kaikoura Peninsula, believing it to be an Island. The first shore whaling station was estabiished in 1843 located near Jimmy Armers beach one of the landing and launching site's for Sea Kayak Kaikoura. Whaling continued sporadically until as recently as 1964 when the last of NZ's whaling operations ceased.
Today, the emphasis in Kaikoura is the conservation of marine life. In 1978, the Marine Mammal Protection Act was finally passed, providing total protection to New Zealand's whales, dolphins and seals. Kaikoura lies within the Southern Hemisphere Whale Sanctuary.
Several different species of whale can be seen off Kaikoura at different times of the year almost always the huge Sperm Whales. Flukes lifting clear at the start of the deep diving adolescent male Sperm Whales enjoy the rich diet of the Kaikoura waters while building their strength to move to the mating grounds of the warm north. Regularly diving to one kilometer, Sperm Whales have been known to dive to 3 kilometers, holding their breath for up to two hours- perhaps gulping down a few groper or wrestling with a giant squid.
The sword like fin of the Orca is often sighted in Kaikoura, and schools of Pilot Whales are occasional visitors. And everywhere the fun loving Dusky Dolphin. Fur Seals, once hunted to extinction are now plentiful here resting on warm rocks after a nights fishing or diving and maneuvering around your kayak. Seabirds, also enjoying the rich harvest, are abundant.
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Sea Kayak Kaikoura
Matt Foy Kaikoura Visitor Centre Kaikoura, New Zealand Telephone:freephone: 0800 452 456 OR Matt Foy on 021 462 889 Facsimile : (03) 319 7218 Email: paddle@seakayakaikoura.co.nz Web : www.seakayakkaikoura.co.nz |
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Sea Kayak Kaikoura operates out of the Visitor Centre down town Kaikoura. We recomend discovering the Kaikoura Peninsula and is willife by sea kayak with little or no impact on the environment.
Half day guided tours run daily to view Fur Seals and other wildlife or for those that are experienced freedom hire is also available.
