If you like this video please thumbs up and share with your friends, it helps me. Yes, there is no defined whale watching season here in auckland. Feb 09, 2017 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. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go whale watching all. Where to whale watch in new zealand yacht charter fleet. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. The south island town in the canterbury region is one of the few places in the world where youll easily catch sight of a sperm whale. Experience the natural treasures of new zealand on a kaikoura whale watching cruise.
Five hydrophones in the stb recorded the new zealand blue whale call type. Tours are offered since the 90ies, mostly on the southern island, the northern island following its lead. Whale watching has a certain tradition in new zealand. 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. Usually, there are two seasons for whale watching, ut exceptions occur, and you watch an unexpected pod. So, youre looking at planning a holiday to new zealand, and youre wanting. Whale watch kaikoura new zealand tourist attraction. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealands north island, about 9 kilometres 5. Also shown are the migration routes of the humpback whale.
Hundreds of whales wash up dead on new zealand beach. New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching destinations, and this unique wildlife encounter should be on every visitors itinerary. This has made it a paradise for the sea creatures, resulting in one third of. The right whale was once very common around new zealand but is now largely confined to the auckland and campbell islands. Even though sperm whales can be found in kaikoura all year round, when is the best time to go whale watching. You can spot whales throughout the east coast of new zealand, including aucklands beautiful hauraki gulf and the wonderful kaikoura. Despite mostly consisting of sand and cacti, the baja california is one of the best locations for whale watching in the whole world. Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far. If you need help identifying species, download the marine mammal sighting. Every new zealand whale watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. As 300 whales swim away, hope that new zealands crisis may be over. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history.
Whaletrips new zealand best tips for whale watching in. 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. Feb 09, 2017 wellington, new zealand new zealand volunteers formed a human chain in the water at a remote beach on friday as they raced to save dozens of whales after more than 400 of the creatures beached. Hundreds of whales dead after mass stranding on new zealand. As you can see every month is good to seeing something, but the winter months mayjuly probably give the greatest range, including the occasional orca whale. When is the best time to go whale watching in auckland. Pilot whales grow up to six metres 20 feet long and are the most common species of whale in new zealand waters.
New zealand also boasts the worlds largest dolphin the orca, or killer whale, and one of the smallest the hectors dolphin, found only around new zealand. Paternity analysis results also suggest new zealand right whale calves have. Its one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales. Occasionally you can also see orcas around the northern island. Whale and dolphin watching kaikoura best time to visit top. If you like this video please thumbs up and share with your friends, it. 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 two hour drive south from picton. You encounter resident sperm whales that have a 95 % sighting chance throughout the year. Huge earthquake predicted after mass beaching of whales in new zealand a huge earthquake is imminent after more than 400 pilot whales beached themselves in new zealand over the. Best months to view dolphins and whales relaxing journeys. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic. Off the coast of kaikoura lives a stable population of sperm whales. The beaked whale that becomes stranded most often in new zealand waters is the grays beaked whale mesoplodon grayi, also known as the scamperdown 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 large whales in new zealand waters. Protecting whales new zealand ministry of foreign affairs. Some beaked whales also whistle, while others, such as cuviers, appear to make no signal at all. Whale watching in new zealand things to see and do in.
Definitely recommend it, if you will be in kaikoura new zealand. If you make it all the way south to chile, you have pretty good chances to meet the mighty blue whales around the. More than 400 whales beach themselves in new zealand cbs news. Whale watching new zealand sperm whale, humpback, hectors dolphin, dusky dolphins, pilot whales, southern rights, minkes, seis and fins watching whale watching whales sperm whales, pygmy sperm whales, pilots, false killers, northern right whale.
Kaikoura is known as new zealand s capital of whale watching. Another 200 whales were stranded on a new zealand coastline late saturday, frustrating rescuers who had battled through the day and even defied a shark threat to try and keep them at sea. Not all whale watching hot spots are located in the south island of aotearoa. Kaikoura, on the east coast of the south island, is the main centre for whale watching in new zealand. The orcas living around new zealand have been found to be unique they specialise in hunting for sharks and rays and even speak their own recognisable dialect. Pdf documentation of a new zealand blue whale population. As a geographically isolated country with many unique plants and animals, new zealand has a strong interest in species conservation. Whales in new zealand waters whales te ara encyclopedia.
Since then new zealand has become a vocal advocate for whale protection and. Orca killer whale some people call these animals killer whale, the name is thought to be because back in the whaling days they noticed some orca hunt down and kill whales so they were called either killer of whales of whale killer which over time has become killer whale. Oct 15, 2015 whether youve never seen a whale before, or whether youre eager to see your next gentle giant, your breath is guaranteed be taken away. Whale and dolphin watching kaikoura best time to visit. We run tours all year long and have a 95% success rate in seeing whales and if for some reason we are unable to locate a whale during the tour we give our. For your chance to whale watch in new zealand, please contact your preferred charter broker to plan an itinerary. Kaikoura is on the east coast of south island, new zealand. Feb 09, 2017 desperate efforts are underway to save dozens of pilot whales still alive after hundreds stranded themselves on a new zealand beach, in the third largest mass stranding in the countrys history. Whale watching new zealand sperm whale, humpback, hectors. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. Alternatively, compare all our luxury yachts available for charter in new zealand. Hundreds of whales wash up dead on new zealand beach the.
This map shows the distribution of the brydes whale, the sperm whale and the southern right whale. 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. Different types of whales whale watch kaikoura new. In many areas of the world, whale watching trips depend on migratory whales to be in the area. 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. The answer auckland, any time of year is a good time to go whale and dolphin watching. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget.
Discover iconic hotspots and hidden gems on this road trip through both of new zealands islands. Whale watching in kaikoura nz kaikoura new zealand travel. Giant sperm whales are the stars of the show and yearround residents. Experience the alpine pacific, new zealands newest touring route, 450kms of spectacular scenery winding past wineries, alpine. The best places to go whale watching in new zealand. Dusky dolphins, as well as common and hector dolphins, are also spotted yearround. Feb, 2017 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. Jan 11, 2017 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. One can never become bored with whale watching since every other tour appears to be unique. Feb 12, 2017 new zealand stranded whale rescuers who formed a human chain to save more than 200 face a race against time to refloat hundreds more. One of the best and most comprehensive whale watching tours in new zealand for those with a limited amount of time, book a kaikoura whale watching adventure online today and see these beautiful creatures in their natural environment firsthand. Brydes whales are also residents in hauraki gulf and can be seen during most of the tours. Theres a good reason kaikoura has been dubbed the whale watching capital of new zealand.
The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. The hauraki gulf marine park is the wonderland for marine life with more than 1. Feb 22, 2016 definitely recommend it, if you will be in kaikoura new zealand. Taking in epic coastline and pristine beaches to create an exciting offthebeatentrack adventure, for the perfect 14day new zealand experience. Kaikoura is a popular tourist destination and the best one in new zealand for yearround whale and dolphin watching. It is therefore assumed to be the most common beaked whale in. Almost half the worlds 80 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises are found in our waters. Sperm whale diving with whale watching vessel in the background in kaikoura, new zealand. There you may choose any of the offered whale watching tours, either on vessel or helicopter. Whale watching is also offered in other locations, often as eco tours and in conjunction.
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