New zealand, indicating the location of the south tara naki bight stb region marine area. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic. 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. North island whale watching activities new zealand. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealands north island, about 9 kilometres.
There are several highly regarded whale watching tours nearby in the town of kaikoura. Despite this they appear to be regular summer visitors to the northeast north island, and have been observed from the three kings islands to. 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. Kaikoura is on the east coast of south island, new zealand. Usually, there are two seasons for whale watching, ut exceptions occur, and you. 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. Tours are offered since the 90ies, mostly on the southern island, the northern island following its lead. The southern right whales of the auckland islands were once reduced to a population that included only 25 mature females. New zealand stranded whale rescuers who formed a human. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go whale watching all. During the migratory season for whales, the lookout is manned and whales passing.
While the north island stays milder, the south island will get icy cold during autumn and winter. Commercial whaling in new zealand waters began late in the 18th century and continued until 1965. Kaikoura, on the east coast of the south island, is the main centre for whale watching in new zealand. All you need to know about whale watching in new zealand. Whale watch is located in the small coastal town of kaikoura on the east coast of new zealand s south island a scenic two and a halfhour drive north from christchurch and two hour drive south from picton. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event is the nations thirdbiggest recorded stranding. New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching. More than 400 whales beach themselves in new zealand cbs. There you may choose any of the offered whale watching tours, either on vessel or helicopter. Whale watching in new zealand things to see and do in. Whale watch kaikoura new zealand tourist attraction.
Whale watching has a certain tradition in new zealand. Some wellknown species of toothed whales include sperm whales and orca whales. The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. This little seaside town on the east coast of new zealands south island is approximately 150km north of christchurch and is considered to be one of the worlds great whale watching locations. 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. Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far whales are bothered by commercial whale watching. Volunteers gathered early to send some 100 surviving whales back to sea, after one of the worst mass strandings in new zealands history. Whale watching new zealand sperm whale, humpback, hectors.
In addition to the sperm whale, a number of different species of whale have been sighted off our coastline, including blues, humpbacks, rights and orca. Wondering when it is the best time to go whale watching in kaikoura, new zealand. Southern right whales, tohora, the most important whale to new zealand is very. Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far. Colourful blooms, baby wildlife and waterfall season makes this an inspiring time of year to visit. Kaikoura, on the east coast of the south island, is one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales. Find out what marine life you can see throughout the year at kaikoura nz. From a look at the whalewatch faq, it appears they accept children over 3 years of age. Among them the giant sperm whale which can grow up to 20 metres in length and has the largest brain of any animal. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, grow to over 15 metres in length.
Whale watching whats hot new zealand destination nz. Five hydrophones in the stb recorded the new zealand blue whale call type on 99. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. Not only is it the main place to see whales in the whole country, it is also one of the most popular spots in the world where you can easily have access to sperm whales. Te wiki o te reo maori 9th 15th september 2019, 40 1 2019. Youll find kaikoura on the south island of new zealand. As well as sighting whales, a typical trip will cruise by colonies of new zealand fur seals and perhaps take in groups of dolphins, depending on the season. White island tours offer tours of moutohora whale island one of new zealands littleknown treasures, departing from whakatane. 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. New zealand is an easy country to travel around, but there are some mistakes you shouldnt make.
The area is particularly renowned for its whaling history the closing of its last whaling station in 1964 is said to have marked the end of the activity in new zealand. Whether youre looking for an activity that gets your pulse. Whale and dolphin watching kaikoura best time to visit top. As we cruised out toward the island where wed be able to kayak, swim, and paddleboard, we loved watching the dolphins play alongside the boat, leaping out of the water and. Nineteenthcentury whaling was based on hunting the southern right whale. Known as the whale capital, kaikoura is a worldfamous whale watching site, in particular for sperm whales which is currently the most abundant of. Piques eddy will be singing the part of rosina in nz operas 2019 season of the. It was a major economic activity for europeans in new zealand in the first four decades of the 19th century. So, youre looking at planning a holiday to new zealand, and youre wanting to. Despite mostly consisting of sand and cacti, the baja california is one of the best locations for whale watching in the whole world. Off the coast of kaikoura lives a stable population of sperm whales. Kaikoura is a special place of lush pastures and towering, snow covered peaks that fall to the sea. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget. Whaletrips new zealand best tips for whale watching in.
This whale watch cruise is located in the town of kaikoura a scenic two and a halfhour drive north from christchurch in new zealands south island. Its one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales. Whale watch cruise, kaikoura, south island, new zealand. Kaikoura is known as new zealand s capital of whale watching.
But just hours later, a new large pod washed ashore nearby. The resident population of sperm whales at kaikoura can be seen all year round. Bay of islands regions, which could be an artifact of. As new zealand has snow covered caps even in the summer, there will be more snow in the winter. Experience the alpine pacific, new zealands newest touring route, 450kms of spectacular scenery winding past wineries, alpine. Here are the top 10 mistakes tourists make when they visit new zealand. Whale watch kaikoura south island nz wildlife tours nz. Instead there is a mild climate here all year, making it the better destination for trips during off or midseason. Every new zealand whale watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and the hauraki gulf. Some parts of the country will be battling icy winds and other parts will have rain and lots of it. New zealand s many beaches and lakes are perfect to cool off during the summer months.
New zealand stranded whale rescuers who formed a human chain to save more than 200 face a race against time to refloat hundreds more. Whale sharks are generally considered to be a tropical species, and have only recently been formally reported from new zealand waters. I did both separate whale watching and swimming with dolphins trips with in kaikoura in late january, albeit a few years ago. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland new zealand including species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and 7 types of shearwater. According to project jonah, a whale rescue group, new zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and on average about 300 whales and dolphins beach themselves on kiwi. 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 last whale to be harpooned in new zealand waters was killed on 21 december 1964, off kaikoura, for the perano operation. One can never become bored with whale watching since every other tour appears to be unique. 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.
We saw four sperm whales and had over 300 dolphins in our pod. 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. Local authorities say they were unable to save the 39 pilot whales that were stranded on new zealand south islands. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go. The tory channel connects the marlborough sounds to the cook strait, as well as being the part of the main route taken by the interisland ferries between wellington and picton. Furthermore, almost daily you can see quite a few dolphin species. Viewing season whale watching close to christchurch, along the northeastern coastline of new zealands south island, has become a popular attraction for visitors and locals. Now numbering more than, their recovery is a testament to the natural resilience of marine mammals and provides hope for the. Toothed whales feed on fish, squid, other whales and larger marine mammals.
Whale watch kaikoura is new zealands only marinebased whale watching company offering visitors an exciting upclose encounter with the giant sperm whale at all times of the year. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history. Giant sperm whales are the stars of the show and yearround residents. 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.
Watch kaikouras magnificent resident sperm whales as well as other species of whale put on a spectacular. Whale watching in kaikoura nz kaikoura new zealand travel. Experience the natural treasures of new zealand on a kaikoura whalewatching cruise. The boat is comfortable with a greta bbq to bring your food and cook much preferred to having to buy costly food. Thanks for a wonderful 2 hours in akaroa on your beautiful boat it was the perfect end to an awesome holiday great crew and gorgeous dog and very yummy cookies i would highly recommend this trip captain mark and his lovely crew including sidney the dog. Liam naden is a new zealand born and bred freelance travel writer. Whale watch is located in the town of kaikoura a scenic two and a halfhour drive north from christchurch in new zealands south island. Off the coast of the village is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. Pdf documentation of a new zealand blue whale population. Come and experience the magic of kaikoura with its lush. The harpooning of this unfortunate whale ended more than 170 years of whaling in new zealand.
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