Whale Watching!An Awe Inspiring Experience!Whale watching is for many people a once in a lifetime experience. To see these magnificent marine mammals at close quarters really is an amazing sight. If you are fortunate enough to see a mother with her calf, that is the ultimate experience.
Whale Watching There is quite a variety of whales seen in New Zealand waters including Orca, Brydes Pilot Minke Sei, Humpback and very rarely, the Blue Whale These are all likely to be seasonal. The Sperm Whale resides in New Zealand waters year round.
NOTE Weather conditions can sometimes mean cancellation of tours.This is a regulated activity and companies can only take a limited number of people on any one day. In some areas in the popular months I would suggest it is wise to book early if possible, to ensure you are not disappointed. Sperm whales seen all year in New Zealand waters Orca whales (December March) Humpback whales (June July)
Locations for Whale WatchingNORTH ISLAND BAY of ISLANDS There is a marine mammal and discovery tour that leaves from Paihia. This tour will give you the opportunity to see a range of whales and swim with dolphins. You can also do a combo with the Hole in the Rock trip, and learn about the Kiwi recovery programme on Moturua Island. If you do not see any whale or dolphin activity you will be issued with a certificate to do the trip again free, that is valid for your lifetime! AUCKLAND The Dolphin Explorer has tours where you can combine swimming with dolphins and whale watching. The tour operators will search for the most exciting whale and dolphin activity on the water that day, with a success rate of dolphin sightings 90% and whale sightings 75%. A day out on the beautiful Hauraki Gulf dotted with over 50 islands will also give you the opportunity to view a range of marine and birdlife. There are also combination tours Whale watching/ Sailing Swimming with Dolphins / Sailing If you are into sailing this is a great opportunity to try your skills on the waters where New Zealands Americas cup sailors train and have won! WHAKATANE Bay of Plenty has huge pods of dolphins seen and whale watching and swimming with the dolphins are 3-4 hour tours covering the bay. Other wildlife possibly seen will include seals, penguins and ocean birdlife. The season for seeing whales in this area is November April.
SOUTH ISLAND MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Here you can take a tour that will give you the opportunity to see dusky dolphins, Hector dolphins only found in New Zealand, orca (killer whales), and New Zealand fur seals. The tour also includes a guided walk on Motuara Island a special reserve. A boat trip on the Marlborough Sounds is a very beautiful trip regardless of the wild and marine life you should experience. KAIKOURA Kaikoura is the most famous, best known whale watch location in New Zealand. This is where the sperm whale, found in few other places in the world, is found. As the conditions are well suited, sperm whales can be seen close to shore and year round. Orca can be sighted December March, Humpback whales June July. Along with the whales you should be fortunate to see common, dusky and Hector dolphins. All are found in the area, making Kaikoura a reliable place for whale watching. There are Kaikoura tours which combine swimming with dolphins and seals. You may also see giant albatross, cormorants and other native marine birds. NOTE - The Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter warns that due to the regulations on numbers, it is best to book early especially over the summer months when tourist numbers are high.
For a different combo experience you can do your whale watching from a helicopter. AKAROA-CHRISTCHURCH The Akaroa Dolphin Experience will give you the opportunity to view a wide variety of marine life including hector dolphins which are only found in New Zealand waters, and the worlds smallest penguin the blue penguin. This trip may also include swimming with dolphins.
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