Tis The Season of The Humpback

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Tis The Season of The Humpback

June 9, 2025

In this blog, we dive into the most fascinating and fun facts about humpback whales—from their mysterious melodies to their surprising social lives. Whether you're a marine life enthusiast or just love a good ocean oddity, you're in for a whale of a time!

Humpback Whales in Kaikoura

Seasonal Visitors - Humpback whales are regular and much-anticipated visitors to Kaikōura’s stunning coastline, especially during the winter months of June, July, and August. This seasonal spectacle coincides with their annual migration from the icy feeding grounds of Antarctica to the warm, tropical waters of the South Pacific, where they breed and give birth. Kaikōura’s deep offshore canyon and nutrient-rich waters create the perfect conditions for these giants to rest and refuel along their journey. During this time, it’s not uncommon to witness their dramatic breaches, tail slaps, and even hear their haunting songs echoing through the water. For marine life enthusiasts, researchers, and curious travelers alike, Kaikōura offers a front-row seat to one of nature’s most incredible journeys.
A Prime Viewing Spot - Kaikōura is one of the world’s premier spots to witness the awe-inspiring migration of humpback whales, thanks to its deep coastal waters and unique marine geography. Every June, these majestic creatures pass close to shore on their journey through the South Pacific, offering unforgettable viewing opportunities. This year, you can do more than just watch—you can be part of the action! Join the South Pacific Helicopters Great Kaikōura Whale Count 2025 as a volunteer and help contribute to vital marine research while experiencing the magic of whale migration up close. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly extraordinary!
Epic Journeys - Humpback whales are remarkable long-distance travellers, undertaking annual migrations of up to 10,000 kilometers! They journey between their nutrient-rich, cold-water feeding grounds—such as the waters off Kaikōura —and the warm, sheltered breeding grounds in tropical and subtropical regions, where they mate and give birth. This epic migration is one of the longest of any mammal on Earth!
Aerial Acrobatics - Whale watching is an unforgettable thrill, especially when humpback whales put on a show with their dramatic and acrobatic behaviours. From the thunderous splash of a full-body breach to the powerful slap of a tail (lobtailing) or the rhythmic waving of their massive flippers, these majestic creatures captivate onlookers with every move. Each display offers a glimpse into their strength, playfulness, and mystery, making every sighting a truly awe-inspiring experience.
They are baleen whales - Humpback whales have no teeth—instead, they are filter feeders, relying on a specialized feeding technique to capture their prey. Using baleen plates in their mouths, they take in massive gulps of water teeming with tiny organisms. Then, by forcefully expelling the water, they trap their food—mainly krill and small schooling fish such as mackerel and herring—on the fringed edges of the baleen. Once the water is gone, they swallow their concentrated catch. This efficient method allows them to consume vast quantities of food during their feeding season in cold, nutrient-rich waters.
Feeding styles: - They have incredibly varied feeding techniques, which include lunge feeding, where they leap sideways through the water with open mouths, and bubble netting where they team up with other humpback whales and produce bubbles from their blowholes below the school of fish to surround them, then the whales take turns on feeding on the trapped fish. Humpback whales can consume up to 1,360kgs of food per day!

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