🇳🇿 Kaikoura Whale Watching: 6 Must-Know Tips for Day 1! 🐳
Planning to see whales, seals, and dolphins in Kaikoura? Here’s what NOBODY tells you—the crucial 6 tips to survive and thrive! ⚠️ 6 ESSENTIAL TIPS: 1️⃣ Arrive Early for Photos! The beach near Whale Watch Kaikoura is perfect for morning shots. 10:30 AM tour returns by 1:00 PM—you’ll be starving! 2️⃣ Seasickness is NO JOKE! 🤮 Even with pills (Fei Sai Le), I vomited 5 times (bile included!). Eat a solid breakfast—or try a different med. Don’t take pills too early! 3️⃣ Food Choices Matter! Top lobster spots (Nin’s Bin, Karaka Lobster) are 20-30 mins away—too far if you’re seasick! Avoid greasy fish & chips in town (my mistake 😩). 4️⃣ Christchurch Round-Trip = Exhausting! 400km drive—switch drivers if possible (seasickness + fatigue = dangerous!). Keep it simple: Whales + seals = enough for Day 1. 5️⃣ Practice Right-Hand Driving FIRST! 🚗 If you’re new to NZ roads, test-drive in Christchurch the day before. Parking fines in CHC are brutal—watch for signs! 6️⃣ Best Seal-Spotting Locations: 📍 Historic Chimney Opposite a gorgeous lawn + villas—great photos + coffee shops! 📍 Point Kean Viewpoint Seal central! Way better for pics than the first lookout. 🗓️ Sample 1-Day Itinerary: 7:00 AM: Drive from Christchurch Whale Watch Kaikoura (10:30 AM) Lunch in town (skip fried food!) Seal spotting (Historic Chimney + Point Kean) Return to CHC Kaikoura = magical but demanding! Plan smart. 💙 #NZTravel #KaikouraWhales #SealSpotting #RoadTripNZ #TravelHacks