Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise 2020. Will says that he usually spends three weeks at the auckland islands each winter, and he estimates there are between 300400 whales when he. One can never become bored with whale watching since every other tour appears to be unique. You can see many different whales and dolphins in new zealand, whale watching has a long tradition here, commercial tours are offered since the 90s. This map shows the distribution of the brydes whale, the sperm whale and the southern right whale. Experience the diverse wildlife and stunning scenery of aucklands hauraki gulf marine park. Have a whale of a time by taking part in our learning programme. Not all whale watching hot spots are located in the south island of aotearoa. The hauraki gulf marine park, just outside of auckland city, is another significant whalewatching site. New zealand maritime museum 175 quay street, viaduct harbour, auckland 1010 new zealand international. There are some excellent whale watching opportunities to. A whaling station set up in 1849 at port ross was closed down three years later, after only a single whale had been caught. The whales like to gather here a few miles off the coast to feed, and you can arrange a couple of different ways to see them. This makes auckland one of the few places in the world where you can see a baleen species of whale at any time of year and so easily.
One day tour from auckland to the most picturesque and popular site. Whale watching whats hot new zealand destination nz. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealands north island, about 9 kilometres 5. Whale watching has a certain tradition in new zealand. Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise.
Kaikoura is known as new zealands capital of whale watching. Authorities in new zealand are planning to cut holes in 300 whale carcasses today to avoid them exploding as they decompose on golden bay after more than 600 whales became stranded. As well as being a top auckland attraction, its a truly unique new zealand. Tourism has also been a new way of conservation for those wild animals, which in the past have been widely. Nowadays it is spread worldwide as recreational, but actually it is also an educational way of understanding and consequently, respecting the environment we live in. Baleen whales have plates of baleen suspended from the roof of their mouths, through which enormous quantities of krill are sucked from the water. New zealand is renowned for having a plethora of tourist attractions, but few have the broad appeal of whale watching.
Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far. Whale bay tutukaka, tutukaka coast, northland, new zealand. Wondering when it is the best time to go whale watching in kaikoura, new zealand. These whales are generally larger than toothed whales and include the largest whale of all, the blue whale. Alternatively, you can download the hectors dolphin sightings app to report. The best places to go whale watching in new zealand. When is the best time to go whale watching in auckland. Of course, we cant forget about the 26 species of seabird confirmed to be breeding in or around the marine park. Report whale and dolphin sightings, and new zealand sea lions, seals with tags. During these months we most commonly have the opportunity to view pods of orca as they pass by, usually in pods of between 612 individuals 2 or 3 times a month. Upon arrival by foot, you will need to look for the new zealand maritime museum entrance on your right immediately after the large kz1 yacht.
Over 51 known species of marine mammals and some 50% of the worlds cetacean species can be found in new zealand waters. The right whale was once very common around new zealand but is now largely confined to the auckland and campbell islands. Journey through the north island of new zealand and explore waitomo, rotorua and lake taupo, and discover the natural beauty of kaikoura and christchurch on this 5day trip from auckland to christchurch or vice versa. Whale watch is new zealands only vessel based whale watching company offering an exciting upclose encounter with the worlds largest toothed predator the giant sperm whale in their natural environment at all times of the year, our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if. Whaletrips new zealand best tips for whale watching in. This is still an area of volcanic activity and there are hot springs on the. Viaduct harbour is located at the western end left as you are looking at the water of quay street in downtown auckland. Known as the whale capital, kaikoura is a worldfamous whale watching site, in particular for sperm whales which is currently the most abundant of large whales in new zealand waters. Whale watch kaikoura the great journeys of new zealand. This has made it a paradise for the sea creatures, resulting in one third of. Real experiences from seasonal jobs for the traveller or kiwi looking for a great lifestyle change. Tours are offered since the 90ies, mostly on the southern island, the northern island following its lead. Discover the fascinating world of the whales, dolphins, seals and marine birds that can be seen throughout the year off the kaikoura coastline in this fact filled user.
It moves from the antarctic up the coasts of new zealand to tropical waters around tonga, and then back down again. Whale watching started in the late 1980s and now attracts over 550,000 tourists per year 1. The town of kaikoura, as mentioned, is the undisputed champion of new zealand whale watching destinations. In fact, they are called a resident population as they are seen in the hauraki gulf marine park yearround. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event is the nations thirdbiggest recorded stranding. Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful hauraki gulf marine park. Sometimes they can be found quite close to auckland city whilst other times they are further out into the hauraki gulf.
Floating on the surface, these huge mammals spend several minutes intaking breaths and jettisoning clouds of water high into the air. The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. Southern right whales returning to mainland new zealand rnz. Where to go whale watching in auckland urban list nz. Itinerary new zealand s most interactive whale and dolphin watching experience an incredible eco safari direct from downtown auckland. The bay of islands boasts more than 140 beautiful sub tropical islands and historical journeys as the area of paihia, russell and waitangi, is the birthplace of modern new zealand. Schools, colleges, and community groups from across new zealand are invited to join in the fun. As we all know, whales are the biggest animals known to man. Five hydrophones in the stb recorded the new zealand blue whale call type on 99. The weather in new zealand is often best during the months of october march, so if you prefer the warmer kind of days then whale watching during the nz summer is a good bet. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history. Sponsor a mini whale tail to paint and keep, and help our youngest new zealanders discover the wonder of the marine environment through activities and educational resources. Whale watching is the fantastic activity of observing whales in their natural habitat.
Walking access only from either the car park on matapouri road 30 mins round trip, through groves of ancient puriri trees or via matapouri bay 40 mins one way. The hauraki gulf marine park is the wonderland for marine life with more than 1. Thomas bywater looks to the seas surrounding us in search of new zealands whales a startling diversity of whales grace the oceans of new zealand year round. Whale watching tourism in new zealand generally focuses on sperm and brydes whales, bottlenose, common, dusky, and hectors dolphins. The most important regions on the northern island are hauraki gulf in auckland, bay of islands in the north and bay of plenty in the east where a lot of different. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. Also shown are the migration routes of the humpback whale. There are two families of these particular sea mammals and they are the toothed whales and the baleen whales. A trip to auckland for new years eve where we spent the day on a boat seeing dolphins and brydes whales in the hauraki gulf. On many peoples must do list when they come to new zealand, the chance to see a rare and graceful whale in the wild is hard to beat. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go whale watching all. Perhaps its the aweinspiring sight of these majestic creatures at close quarters, or the fact that you get to tour on a boat or in the. This website helps visitors connect with providers of great new zealand tourism experiences. Auckland whale watching whale watching in auckland.
And with the waters around new zealand forming the 4th largest marine territory in the world, and with a whale migrating route passing straight through it, you could not be in a better place to see them. This file is licensed under the creative commons attributionshare alike 4. It also holds the tripadvisor hall of fame award, given to experiences awarded five or more consecutive certificates of excellence. Anne salmonds knowledge of and passion for new zealands history, her close involvement with maori culture and the place of the environment within that culture and those of the pacific will ensure that the underlying principles and activities of the national whale centre will. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget. If youve always wanted to go whale watching, our 4. There you may choose any of the offered whale watching tours, either on vessel or helicopter. Departing wellington, our 3night auckland break takes you on a full northern explorer journey to experience the magnificent city of sails. Look for impressive sperm whales along with migrating humpbacks and southern right whales, and search the waters for orcas and other dolphins as an experienced guide shares informative commentary. Departing from the heart of auckland city, it will take you to the hauraki gulf marine parka dreamland of all marine life it is visited by one third of the worlds total marine species. On saturday, a hiker discovered two pods of pilot whales beached on new zealands stewart island. The park is full of a diverse range of rare and exotic ocean life. From world class dining in auckland to the mystics of marlboro sounds, from hot water beaches to bay water sands, the new zealand wallpaper offers more to the adventure and explorer to find oneself in the wild of things and nature. New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching destinations, and this unique wildlife encounter should be on every visitors itinerary.
More than 400 whales beach themselves in new zealand. Choose our whale watch kaikoura package from christchurch to experience one of new zealands most phenomenal adventures. Pdf documentation of a new zealand blue whale population. Come aboard our luxury catamaran from downtown auckland, minutes from city hotels, for breathtaking encounters with an incredible variety of wildlife including whales, dolphins, seabirds, seals, penguins and more. Shop while the picton venue is closed we still stock a range of merchandise related to cetaceans such as the nwc tshirts limited size range the graham bennett sculptures and. Auckland boat yearround humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae south island kaikoura. Other species that may be encountered opportunistically during tours include killer, humpback and southern right whales. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and the hauraki gulf. Enjoy whale watching, dolphin encounters and an abundance of. Curiously however, whales and whalers largely ignored the auckland islands during the 19th century, now the most important wintering grounds for southern right whales around new zealand. More than 140 pilot whales have died on a remote new zealand beach, the latest in a recent string of whale strandings and deaths in the country on.
For example, the critically endangered brydes whale is one such. New zealand covers half of the globes dolphin and whale species and you will witness most of these mammals in different coasts in the country. It is an area known for its exotic marine life in fact, more than 22 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted in the vicinity. Find out what marine life you can see throughout the year at kaikoura nz.
The hauraki gulf marine park just outside auckland city is also a significant whale watching area with. A resident population of brydes whales is commonly seen swimming alongside the visiting bottlenose and common dolphins as well as orca, pilot whales. The pinnacle of many peoples visit to new zealand is an exhilarating whale watch kaikoura encounter to witness sperm whales as they rest between dives. Make closeup discoveries and enjoy experiences with our diverse. Experience the natural treasures of new zealand on a kaikoura whalewatching cruise. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations.
Its found on the south islands east coast, and its just over a 2hours drive from the city of christchurch. Situated just off the coast of new zealands largest city auckland, the main whale watching. Whale and dolphin watching seasonal jobs in new zealand. The leopard and new zealand fur seals, sharks, turtles, manta ray and the amazing orca all come out to show off a little from time to time, depending on the time of year, that is. Kaikoura is even one of the absolute hot spots worldwide.
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