The Great Kaikōura Whale Count Is Wrapping Up!

Every winter, the Kaikōura Ocean Research Institute sets up on the spotting hill to record the humpbacks and other cetaceans migrating past our coastline. It's one of those experiences that's hard to describe until you're standing there watching a whale surface offshore.

Throughout the month, volunteers, locals and visitors have joined trained lead spotters to record every whale and dolphin sighting. The information collected helps researchers better understand how many whales are migrating through our waters each year as they travel between their Antarctic feeding grounds and warmer breeding waters further north.

Last year's count was the biggest on record. Over 22 days, 173 volunteers contributed 574 hours and recorded 293 sightings across eight different species, including humpback, sperm, blue and southern right whales, along with dusky, common, Hector's and orca dolphins. In total, 201 individual humpbacks were counted a new record. A baby humpback was also born off the Kaikōura coast in July, only the second or third time this has ever been recorded here. To date (24th June) this years count has seen 103 Humpback sightings, with an estimated 121 Individual whales + 31 Sperm Whales, 2 Minke Whales & 2 Fine whales, with more to be sene by the close of June.

June may be coming to an end, but winter is only just getting started, and it's still one of the best times to visit Kaikōura. The humpbacks continue their migration, the resident sperm whales are here year-round, and the quieter season makes for a relaxed and unforgettable experience.

To learn more about the Great Kaikōura Whale Count or get involved next year, visit https://kori.org.nz/.

And if you're planning a winter escape to Kaikōura, we'd love to host you. Our holiday homes put you close to the whales, the coastline, and everything else this amazing place has to offer.