The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. Southern right whales returning to mainland new zealand rnz. 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. Its found on the south islands east coast, and its just over a 2hours drive from the city of christchurch. In fact, they are called a resident population as they are seen in the hauraki gulf marine park yearround. Kaikoura is even one of the absolute hot spots worldwide. The best places to go whale watching in new zealand. 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. Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise 2020. Floating on the surface, these huge mammals spend several minutes intaking breaths and jettisoning clouds of water high into the air. Sometimes they can be found quite close to auckland city whilst other times they are further out into the hauraki gulf. Schools, colleges, and community groups from across new zealand are invited to join in the fun.
Whale watching started in the late 1980s and now attracts over 550,000 tourists per year 1. Where to go whale watching in auckland urban list nz. Departing wellington, our 3night auckland break takes you on a full northern explorer journey to experience the magnificent city of sails. A resident population of brydes whales is commonly seen swimming alongside the visiting bottlenose and common dolphins as well as orca, pilot whales. 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. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go whale watching all. Baleen whales have plates of baleen suspended from the roof of their mouths, through which enormous quantities of krill are sucked from the water.
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. 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. As we all know, whales are the biggest animals known to man. Find out what marine life you can see throughout the year at kaikoura nz. 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. Of course, we cant forget about the 26 species of seabird confirmed to be breeding in or around the marine park. 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. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget. Experience the natural treasures of new zealand on a kaikoura whalewatching cruise. The town of kaikoura, as mentioned, is the undisputed champion of new zealand whale watching destinations. 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. There are two families of these particular sea mammals and they are the toothed whales and the baleen whales.
The right whale was once very common around new zealand but is now largely confined to the auckland and campbell islands. This has made it a paradise for the sea creatures, resulting in one third of. 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. A whaling station set up in 1849 at port ross was closed down three years later, after only a single whale had been caught. These whales are generally larger than toothed whales and include the largest whale of all, the blue whale. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history. 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. Also shown are the migration routes of the humpback whale. Whale and dolphin watching seasonal jobs in new zealand. One day tour from auckland to the most picturesque and popular site. 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. 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. The hauraki gulf marine park, just outside of auckland city, is another significant whalewatching site.
The hauraki gulf marine park is the wonderland for marine life with more than 1. Whale watching tourism in new zealand generally focuses on sperm and brydes whales, bottlenose, common, dusky, and hectors dolphins. Not all whale watching hot spots are located in the south island of aotearoa. Tours are offered since the 90ies, mostly on the southern island, the northern island following its lead. Tourism has also been a new way of conservation for those wild animals, which in the past have been widely. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations. This website helps visitors connect with providers of great new zealand tourism experiences.
This file is licensed under the creative commons attributionshare alike 4. New zealand maritime museum 175 quay street, viaduct harbour, auckland 1010 new zealand international. 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. 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. Whale watching has a certain tradition in new zealand.
Whale bay tutukaka, tutukaka coast, northland, new zealand. One can never become bored with whale watching since every other tour appears to be unique. Auckland boat yearround humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae south island kaikoura. 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. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealands north island, about 9 kilometres 5. If youve always wanted to go whale watching, our 4. Whale watch kaikoura the great journeys of new zealand. Itinerary new zealand s most interactive whale and dolphin watching experience an incredible eco safari direct from downtown auckland. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event is the nations thirdbiggest recorded stranding.
The park is full of a diverse range of rare and exotic ocean life. 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. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. For example, the critically endangered brydes whale is one such. Wondering when it is the best time to go whale watching in kaikoura, new zealand. There are some excellent whale watching opportunities to. Report whale and dolphin sightings, and new zealand sea lions, seals with tags.
Whale watching whats hot new zealand destination nz. Kaikoura is known as new zealands capital of whale watching. Make closeup discoveries and enjoy experiences with our diverse. Pdf documentation of a new zealand blue whale population. 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. 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. Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful hauraki gulf marine park. When is the best time to go whale watching in auckland. 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. 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. Auckland whale watching whale watching in auckland. This is still an area of volcanic activity and there are hot springs on the. 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. Alternatively, you can download the hectors dolphin sightings app to report.
Choose our whale watch kaikoura package from christchurch to experience one of new zealands most phenomenal adventures. 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. Real experiences from seasonal jobs for the traveller or kiwi looking for a great lifestyle change. 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. Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far. Enjoy whale watching, dolphin encounters and an abundance of. Whaletrips new zealand best tips for whale watching in. New zealand is renowned for having a plethora of tourist attractions, but few have the broad appeal of whale watching. Five hydrophones in the stb recorded the new zealand blue whale call type on 99. 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. 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. There you may choose any of the offered whale watching tours, either on vessel or helicopter. Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise.
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 also holds the tripadvisor hall of fame award, given to experiences awarded five or more consecutive certificates of excellence. Experience the diverse wildlife and stunning scenery of aucklands hauraki gulf marine park. More than 400 whales beach themselves in new zealand. Over 51 known species of marine mammals and some 50% of the worlds cetacean species can be found in new zealand waters. Whale watching is the fantastic activity of observing whales in their natural habitat. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale. Have a whale of a time by taking part in our learning programme. 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.
Situated just off the coast of new zealands largest city auckland, the main whale watching. As well as being a top auckland attraction, its a truly unique new zealand. On saturday, a hiker discovered two pods of pilot whales beached on new zealands stewart island. Will says that he usually spends three weeks at the auckland islands each winter, and he estimates there are between 300400 whales when he. 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. Viaduct harbour is located at the western end left as you are looking at the water of quay street in downtown auckland. This map shows the distribution of the brydes whale, the sperm whale and the southern right whale. 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. 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. New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching destinations, and this unique wildlife encounter should be on every visitors itinerary. 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. 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. The hauraki gulf marine park just outside auckland city is also a significant whale watching area with. 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.
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