New Zealand - dolphins

New Zealand Dolphins

On Sunday, March 6, 2005, we visited the town of Kaikoura and a number of us in our touring party booked an optional Whale Watch. We did see a number of whales on that trip, but another highlight was when the boat pulled amidst a very large school of dolphins.

Above, hundreds of dolphins swim playfully on one side of our boat. We were told that there are about three dolphins under the water for every one we see.

The dolphins were very difficult to photograph. There was so much activity, it was hard to focus on just one emerging from the water.

Many of the dolphins playfully leapt high into the air.

It appeared that the dolphins enjoyed our company. They swam along all sides of our boat while we drifted with the engines were shut down for a while.

This shot helps demonstrate how close we were able to observe our aquatic friends.

Dark silhouettes of some dolphins swim beneath the water as others play above the surface.

At times one might envy the endless play under the New Zealand sun.

Click to see photographs of whales from this trip.