[mrbenn]

Hi

We have booked to go whale watching in Kaikoura this coming weekend, a few questions for those of you who may have already done it ...

How long did it take to drive from Christchurch ? We are booked on the 7.15 trip ! could be a very early start ...

Did you take sea sickness pills ?

Did you see many/any whales ?

We are really excited about it, hopefully the sea conditions will be good.

TIA
Ben

[jo b]

Can't answer the whale and seasickness Mr Benn as we didn't book regretably.

If I were you I would travel up the night before if possible as it is a good 2/3 hours drive.

Jo

[Carol]

I agree with Jo.....I wouldnt travel from Christchurch that morning - it's too far.
We did it 6 years ago....when I was 9 weeks pregnant.
yuk!
Can get a bit choppy out there.... not much worse than the ferry and I managed to keep my lunch - even while I was preggers!

We saw LOADS of Whales....the crew know what they are doing and where they are going - but at the end of the day - if the whales have decided to take a recce to Christchurch it's just hard lines!

Saw pods of dusky dolphins too...swimming alongside the boat.....gorgeous.
And the albotrosses you see out there are amazing too.
Opps for seal spotting somewhere else - the name escapes me....to be honest seals dont float my boat - but the whales did!
;)

[Moorf]

Hi there

Yes, we did the whale watching - albeit at the later time of 12.30 and we drove from Chch.

I would definitely get there the night before if possible - should be easy to find accommodation this time of year. It will be freezing on the boat so wrap up warm - you stay "downstairs" in the "warm" whilst they get out to sea - but it was chilly even when we went in December :eek
Take hats that stay on without you having to hold/superglue them on, and take wet weather clothes (sorry if this is a granny sucking eggs post!).

It's about a 4 hour trip (are you doing the one that starts at the Whaleway Station?) - we saw 5 Sperm whales (with a "rare" viewing of two surfacing side by side :nice1 ), LOADS of dolphins, a couple of penguins, lots of albatross and other bird life. Not sure what's "in season" at the moment.

Absolutely brilliant trip (had hubby's sis in law with her family over at the time) and the kids absolutely loved it. The boats are "fairly" large but if the sea is anything like it is this morning then I'd hold on tight! It's bloomin' choppy out there! Having said that, they do go out a fair way so it's full steam ahead for an hour or so before you start bobbing around :laugh

If you DO decide to get up early and go, I'd personally leave yourself at least 3.5hrs for trip up there.

We got some fab pics - wasn't the sunniest of days :roll: but who cares when you see that great tail roll out of the surf in front of your very eyes .... can't wait to go again!!

[mrbenn]

Excellent ! Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated :D I will let you know how we get on ...

Next question will be regarding snowboarding but I think i will wait until all the ski fields are open ...

Cheers
Ben

[Moorf]

Mt Hutt is open already!! Was just on phone with another forum member discussing next weekends trip to Mt Hutt :nice1 :nice1

[A & M]

We did the whale watch trip in january. If it's too rough they cancel and try to get you on a trip the next day. They also tell you about the sea conditions and advise whether you should take sea sick pills. We didn't, but I have to admit feeling a bit queasy on the the trip out. They sell seasick pills in the shop there. The whole operation is very well organised.

Saw 6 sperm whales which was fantastic, and loads of birds. Not sure what the dolphins are doing at the moment, but I was up there in April and we saw them every day from the road, hundreds of them!

Like the others said - go the night before. It's 2 hours nonstop from Rangiora, so probably nearly 3 from Chch.

Hope you have a good trip, Mandy.

[kiwidebs]

Look forward to hearing what you think of it. We opted for swimming with the dolphins (admittedly it was Spring not Winter!) - and it was fab. A really well run company - all eventualities considered. And the dusky dolphins are amazing. They've certainly got the whole eco-tourism thing going well in Kaikoura.

Debs

[Tara Sage]

We really wimped out and went by plane instead :oops: We aren't very good with the sea legs thing.

We saw whale and a load of dolphins, we had a great time my son really loved it.

[Milliemoo]

Are there any planes/helicopter trips which start in Christchurch? I don't fancy that drive and we'll only have a day.

Milliemoo :nice1

[jonSE]

I thought it was further from Chch than 3.5 hours.

Take a real camera with motor wind - I managed to get through about 4 36 exposures films very quickly but got some good shots. Digitals aren't fast enough.

Same applies to Dolphin watching trips in places like Doubtful Sound.

When we did the Kaikoura trip most were Seasick and one guy had a heart attack although we didn't find out until we got back as we were still outside looking for more whales.

I want to go swimming with whales in Fiji.

Jon

[Moorf]

We've done Chch to Kaikoura, 1 stop for petrol and coffee, in just under 3 hours. Took 3.5 on way back in the dark.

Second time we did it in just over 2.5 hours! And since receiving my first and last speeding ticket within few weeks of arriving here, I stay on the limit now too!

It's 182km from Chch - so I guess it's do-able in under 2 hours! :? But maintaining 100kph on that twisty section would be a tad silly!! :laugh Fun, but silly....

[mrbenn]

What an excellent Trip ! Well worth the money, a great time had by all. Sea conditions were OK, we all took tablets, but felt abit queezy by the time we got off the boat (we were out at sea for about 2.5hrs). Drive took about 2.5hrs from Chch, some nice scenery on the way too. Saw 4 Sperm Wales, some Albatross birds and fur Seals. Ive added some photos below - enjoy !

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/mrbenn2005/WhaleDive.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/mrbenn2005/Whaleabouttodive.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/mrbenn2005/KaikouraBeach.jpg