Sea kayaking Kaikoura

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It was gloriously sunny, the water glassy and clear - perfect for an evening kayak. Kaikoura kayaks are a small, friendly family business ran by Matt and our guide or the next next few hours was Garry - a friendly kiwi chap - passionate about the ocean and very knowledgeable about the unique Kaikoura region and the marine, mammal and bird life living here. The Kaikoura peninsula has an unusually deep shelf close to land which makes it the best location for spotting a variety of marine life in New Zealand. There were 3 of us from the Flying Kiwi tour - 2 with some kayaking experience and one complete beginner. As we unloaded the double kayaks the sun glistened on the water and the mountains loomed above. With long paddle strokes cutting the water, in minutes we were close to the reef watching a New Zealand fur seal looking for food. Lazy and slug like on land, it was awesome to get so close and see the grace and ease with which they swim and dive. The ocean was teaming with small red dots. Garry explained that there was an abundance of krill this year and Southern Right whales had been seen making the most of this feast. Unbelievable that a creature of such size can survive on such a tiny organism as a staple food - Garry talked about the whales - how they feed and how the throat of a Southern Right whale is only as big as an average human wrist!!! There were hundreds of shearwaters flocking around the surface of the water - could this mean shoals of fish which may mean dolphins, orca or seals too?? We paddled deeper to find out. The glassy calm of the inner reef turned to gentle rolling swell and soon we were completely surrounded by shearwaters -swooping, diving and running on the surface as they took of and landed - we really were at one with nature! A huge giant black petrol swooped in over our kayaks and began pecking at an injured shearwater. Albatross came to investigate - all making the most of the krill buffet. A Hectors dolphin suddenly rose for breath in the water in front of us - he looked straight at us before diving and disappearing into the depths. Garry spotted a fin near the reef so we glided silently towards land -was it an orca? a dolphin? it was a New Zealand fur seal - sunbathing - keeping one fin out of the water as they float and relax helps them to maintain a good body temperature in the chilly 10 degree ocean. The snowy peaks shone brightly against the blue sky in the last moments of daylight, we paddled back to shore, passing by pied cormorants drying their wings and chunky fur seals flopping about on the rocks. Back to the flying kiwi camp for dinner followed by marshmallows (far too many of them went down my throat) on the campfire. Another awesome day on our New Zealand tour.

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Photos

Preparing to launch
Kaikoura kayaks professional introduction

New Zealand fur seal
warming himself in the sunshine

Shearwater take off
surrounded by birds

kaikoura kayaking
returning to shore