The Dolphins

A small, stocky, acrobatic dolphin seen regularly on Whale Watch tours. Plentiful around Kaikoura where they can be seen leaping from the sea in dramatic hunting and mating rituals. Length 2m.

The world's smallest and rarest dolphin with an unusual rounded dorsal fin. Found only in coastal New Zealand waters. In Kaikoura it is often seen close to shore in small family pods of 4 to 8.

Threatened by fishing nets and the coastal pollution caused by phosphates in farm run-off. Classified as endangered. Can live for 20 years. Length 1.5m

Did you know?

A North Island sub-species called Maui's Dolphin is named after the Maori demi-god who fished the North Island out of the sea with a magic hook.

Widespread in the rest of Australasia this large 'Flipper' dolphin makes only occasional appearances in Kaikoura.

The Orca is not a whale but the largest species of dolphin. It is a ferocious hunter. Family pods of Orca hunting seals and dolphins are often seen on Whale Watch tours. The name Killer Whale is derived from the observations of early whalers who dubbed it 'The Killer of Whales'.

Orca will attack and kill any whale - even the Blue Whale - for it's flesh. They particularly relish the tongue. However, recent studies suggest not all Orca align themselves with this fierce reputation. A newly discovered sub-species completely avoids marine mammals and eats only fish. Dolphins and seals that would normally leap onto rocks to avoid a mammal-eating Orca have been observed interacting with and even biting the more passive fish-eating Orcas. Length 10m.

Did you know?

At the whaling station of Eden in Australia a resident Orca named 'Old Tom' would herd baleen whales into the bay in return for a reward of whale's tongue.

Passes along the Kaikoura Coast in pods of 1,000. A long, slender dolphin with no dorsal fin. Length 3m. Weight 100kg.

A toothed whale that generally lives in family pods of up to 60 but can gather in their hundreds around Kaikoura. A deep-diving squid eater that likes to approach Whale Watch vessels for a closer look at passengers. Length 6.7m.

Did you know?

Despite their great size difference, Pilot Whales have been seen attacking Sperm Whales.

Common Dolphins often congregate around Kaikoura in large numbers where they like to bowride Whale Watch vessels. Length 2.5m.