Location
Key Information
| 104 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 104 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
Boundary: Ministry for the Environment (Unmodified)
2.0
July 2023
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Purpose
The reserve sits near the township of Kaikoura, at the point where the undersea Kaikoura canyon approaches close to the land. Visiting the reserve is an unparalleled opportunity to see whale, dolphin and seabird species, and often in large numbers.
Species of Concern: sperm whale, dusky dolphin, New Zealand fur seal
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
No take of marine life, shells, rocks or driftwood - Marine reserves are designated areas that are completely protected from the sea surface to the seafloor, including the foreshore.
According to the Marine Reserves Regulations, the following restrictions apply in all marine reserves:
1. No person shall, without lawful authority, dive in any area that has been closed to the public.
2. No person shall, without lawful authority, anchor any vessel
(a) in any area that has been closed to the public; or
(b) within 100 metres of any buoy moored.
3. A person must not operate a vessel in a reserve at a speed in excess of 5 knots if the vessel is within
(a) 30 metres of another vessel or a person in the water; or
(b) 200 metres of the shore; or
(c) 200 metres of any vessel that is flying flag “A” of the international code of signals (being the flag to indicate that a diver is below).
4. No person shall, without lawful authority, enter any area of a reserve that has been closed to the public.
Allowed
1. Any person may dive in the reserve except for those areas closed for research purposes.
2. Any person may anchor in the reserve in such a manner that damage to the reserve does not occur or is kept to the minimum practicable level.