New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching destinations, and this unique wildlife encounter should be on every visitors itinerary. We absolutely love those windless, sunny days spent finding marine mammals for our passengers and us to. Best time to see new zealands wildlife tourism new. Each tour lasts around four and a half hours and the tour company guarantees that you will see whales on 75% of their trips. Fin whales can reach up to 24 meters in length second in size only to the blue whale. Look for whales, dolphins and seabirds in the pristine waters of hauraki gulf just a short boat ride from auckland citys viaduct harbour. Or you can visit a seal colony or penguin colony in auckland, new zealand. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world. Auckland whale watching whale watching in auckland. If you dont mind getting wet, swimming with the whales or dolphins may be an option. Youre guaranteed to see whales or dolphins on this ocean adventure or come back for free. Hundreds of whales wash up dead on new zealand beach.
The hauraki gulf marine park just outside auckland city is also a significant whale watching area with. The truth is, we are one of the only places in the world with whales present. Watch kaikouras magnificent resident sperm whales as well as other species of whale put on a spectacular. Auckland whales, dolphins, seals and penguins tourism. They also have sightings of orca, humpback and other whales very infrequently. Fastpaced by new zealand standards, the nations biggest centre covers 500 square kilometres. Even auckland, new zealands largest city, boasts its own populations of cetaceans. Within sight of the houses dotting the coastline you can expect to see bottlenose or common dolphins and sometimes brydes whales a subtropical whale which has only recently been studied in the area. We got to see dolphins, see huge snapper come right up to the boat, and this is the only boat that can go into most caves with a excellent skipper who has great knowledge on his. Rare blue whale spotted feeding in the hauraki gulf. For example, the critically endangered brydes whale is one such. During the months of june august for instance humpback whales leave the cool.
Note office installs the 32 bit version on your pc by default, even if your computer is running a 64 bit. Sadly, no video footage of the whales or orca but plenty of gorgeous, cruisy common dolphins to watch. You may download the appchoices app at to opt out in. The town of kaikoura, as mentioned, is the undisputed champion of new zealand whale watching destinations. Not only one is new zealand one of the worlds most pristine destinations with an incredibly diverse landscape with a third of the land protected as a reverse, the waters are home to 25 out of 37 of the southern hemispheres marine mammals making it some of the best seas to spot a plethora of whales and dolphins.
On a new zealand whale watching tour in kaikoura, you can choose a tour to view these magnificent creatures from the water, on a specially designed catamaran, or from the air in a four or eight seat aeroplane. There are plenty of opportunities to see them all year round you might spot a family of dolphins following your boat, and its not unusual to see whales and orca within sight of auckland or little blue penguins on wellingtons city fringe but these are some special places where you can see them upclose. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. Experience whales and dolphins along with the stunning scenery of auckland s hauraki gulf marine park. Operating daily within this incredible conservation area we have established nzs. 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. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic.
Or the big whales, such as finbacks and blue whales. Whale and dolphin watching kaikoura best time to visit top. Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful hauraki gulf marine park. From 1 february 18 april 2021 a trail of unique and stunning whale tail sculptures. The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. Download the artist pack and submit your design below. There you may choose any of the offered whale watching tours, either on vessel or helicopter. New zealanders are lucky enough to share their home with fascinating creatures. 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. Experience whale watching, dolphin encounters and an abundance of seabirds while learning from onboard experts and. Its found on the south islands east coast, and its just over a 2hours drive from the city of christchurch. New zealands only marine based whale watching company offering an exciting upclose encounter with giant.
The park is full of a diverse range of rare and exotic ocean life. Auckland whale and dolphin safari epic deals and last. Whale watch is located in the small coastal town of kaikoura on the east coast of new zealands south island a scenic two and a halfhour drive north from christchurch and. Its all about the gray whales in february, their migration is one of the longest of all marine animals.
Fresh whale stranding on notorious new zealand beach. Our familyowned wildlife safari departs daily, directly from the viaduct harbour in central auckland and offers outstanding whale watching, dolphin encounters and rare seabird spotting all yearround. When is the best time to go whale watching in auckland. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealands north island, about 9 kilometres 5.
Download the 2020 hauraki gulf marine park poster ourauckland. Dolphin encounters enable you to swim with dophins in kaikoura and a wonderful activity. Witness the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife of aucklands hauraki gulf marine park. Auckland is a divine destination for foodies and wine connoisseurs. Cruise the waters of hauraki gulf marine park in search of whales, dolphins and penguins on a halfday tour from auckland. In 1918, 1 000 pilot whales stranded on the chatham islands and in 1985, about 450 stranded in auckland. Te wiki o te reo maori 9th 15th september 2019, 40 1 2019. The local company we use who operate these boats which head out to see the whales as they come up for air, has been running trips for over 20 years and has won many awards in that time. At least 74 whale stranded at spirits bay in the far north. The fin on their back gives them their name this fin is very easy to see and one of their predominant features. Fresh whale stranding on notorious new zealand beach volunteers pour water over the stranded pilot whales during a mass stranding at farewell spit on february 11, 2017.
Parking is easy there are a number of car park buildings close to viaduct harbour. New zealand maritime museum 175 quay street, viaduct harbour, auckland 1010 new zealand international. The whale stranding was the largest in the country since 1985, when 450 were stranded near auckland. Best months to view dolphins and whales relaxing journeys. We were lucky to see the false killer whales again which makes 3 sightings over the februarymarch period. Keen birders who want to submit directly, download the free bird. Experience the diverse wildlife and stunning scenery of aucklands hauraki gulf marine park. In addition, slower ship speeds through the gulf have helped prevent ship strikes of our resident brydes whales. As an active marinemammal research vessel every passenger contributes to important conservation efforts, just by coming on board. February is also a good time to see the big whales around the baja california, mexico. A fantastic trip on the peejay 1v remember to bring suntan lotion and something if you get sea sick, also good footwear and a must a camera to get those fantastic pictures. Centred between two harbours and bordered by rainforest, this city is unlike any other.
Marine mammal spotlight dusky dolphins, 160 3 2019 not only do we have the sperm whale off our coastline all year round but kaikoura is also home to the resident dusky dolphin. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go whale watching all. The closest is downtown car park, which is situated at 31 customs st west. February 2019 whale watching highlights auckland whale. Enjoy whale watching, dolphin encounters and an abundance of seabirds while learning from onboard experts and directly supporting our conservation efforts. We are often asked when whale watching is best here in auckland. One can never become bored with whale watching since every other tour appears to be unique. Pdf documentation of a new zealand blue whale population. The whole experience is not just exhilarating, but also highly educational and focused on the preservation of the marine environment. Auckland whale and dolphin safari a day trip cruising on aucklands hauraki gulf observing dolphins and whales at play in their natural environment aboard a comfortable catamaran one of nzs best boat trips right here in auckland bookme is the home of the epic deals and. Experience a unique eco tourism encounter in auckland with a world famous whale watching or dolphin watching cruise. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and the hauraki gulf. Find out what marine life you can see throughout the year at kaikoura nz.
Whale rescuers in new zealand linked arms in neckdeep water on saturday to try and prevent about 200 pilot whales from stranding themselves again in a remote bay, where 300 of the animals died. Whale watching in kaikoura nz kaikoura whale watching. Youll board a spacious catamaran at viaduct harbour and hear expert guides share informative commentary about new zealands natural wonders. Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise 2020. Conveniently departing from the viaduct basin in central auckland, jump aboard our 65ft 20mtr catamaran the dolphin explorer and take in the sights and sounds as you depart the city. This month we were visited by common dolphins, brydes whales and orca. Like other baleen whales, the fin whale also skims the surface and takes in huge volumes of.
Guides are generally entertaining, passionate and informative. Vacation whale watching activities around the world expedia. Around the auckland region its the gateway to new zealand for many, but its more than just a transit point take time to explore this beguiling city. March 2020 whale watching highlights at the start of the month, before we learnt of what was to come, we were still operating and still able to view aucklands wildlife on a daily basis. These whales have a life span of at least 80 years. Learn from experts on board working to protect these precious creatures and their fragile home. This is still an area of volcanic activity and there are hot springs on the. Aucklands whale and dolphin safari has a reputation for being the best whale watch tour operator in the region. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget. More than 400 whales were stranded on a new zealand beach friday, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. Whale watching is a highly educational experience, especially if there is an onboard naturalist or guide providing commentary. New zealands own tiny hectors dolphin and the high spirited displays of the dusky dolphins are visible mostly all year round. New zealand rescuers form human chain to help stranded.
Auckland whales, dolphins, seals and penguins directory, new zealand. Auckland whale and dolphin safari with free photos. Brian is lots of fun and a very experienced skipper so sit back and enjoy the ride. New zealand stranded whale rescuers who formed a human. Kaikoura is known as new zealands capital of whale watching. Heres your chance to get up close to the majestic giants of the sea. Orca whilst whale watching in auckland auckland whale. On a stunning day these lucky passengers watched orca hunting stingrays in aucklands hauraki gulf our sustainability story s. One year of whale watching in just one infographic.
In about 17 years of operations, thats only the third time that weve seen one in the hauraki gulf. Get up close and personal with dolphins and whales in their element in the marine park that makes up the hauraki gulf, just a short boat trip from auckland, new zealand. For more information about the whale tales please download artists brief. 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.
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