Summer blast 16 days southern light 9 days wild west 8. Whale bay matapouri 2020 all you need to know before you. More than 400 whales beach themselves in new zealand cbs news. With 26 ray species and 1 shark species recorded in new zealands waters, youre likely to see some of these favorites as well. Moutohora island sanctuary whale island day tour whakatane. While most of the island is temperate and maritime, the far north extends close enough to the equator to miss out on frost, so subtropical trees and plants can grow here. However, by 1840 the whale numbers had declined to the point that little money was to be made, and in 1844 the last of the early onshore stations closed. Some wellknown species of toothed whales include sperm whales and orca whales. May 15, 2009 cruising past the beautiful whale island aboard diveworks. New zealand consists of many islands, estimated around six hundred, mainly remnants of a larger land mass now beneath the sea. 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. Hot rocks 9 days northern wanderer 8 days northern light 5 days beach it 4 days south island tours. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history.
New zealand warns of exploding whale carcasses after mass. Its found on the south islands east coast, and its just over a 2hours drive from the city of christchurch. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, grow to over 15 metres in length. Or to see seals or penguins in their natural habitats, you can visit a seal colony or penguin colony in north island, new zealand. I am not sure the kids will be too happy with all the driving just to see whales.
Feb 22, 2010 goat island marine reserve, new zealand duration. Cruising past the beautiful whale island aboard diveworks. 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. The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. Follow the download instructions in the welcome email. Look for whales, dolphins and seabirds in the pristine waters of hauraki gulf just a short boat ride from auckland citys viaduct harbour. Whales are a very common sight in the waters off kaikoura because of a 2kilometre underwater canyon that sits beside the coast. New zealand rescuers form human chain to help stranded.
Learn from experts on board working to protect these precious creatures and their fragile home. Some wellknown species of baleen whales include the blue whale and the humpback whale. A 75minute ferry ride across the hauraki gulf brings you to the island preserve, where you have the day to stroll the trails and enjoy the coastline after a ranger orientation. The north island is the northern obviously of new zealands two main islands. The harpooning of this unfortunate whale ended more than 170 years of whaling in new zealand. Visit a new zealand fur seal colony on land, glimpse the snowy peaks of the kaikoura ranges and top off your fullday tour with a winetasting in north canterbury.
Perano whaling station nzhistory, new zealand history online. Kaiteriteri to kaikoura is over a 6 hr 425klm drive. You can still see an impressive wharf and the skeletal remains of the processing complex, complete with the slipway once used to haul up the whales for. Whaletrips new zealand best tips for whale watching in. Some of the whale watching tours here offer the chance to swim with dolphins, which is a fun and unique. The last whale to be harpooned in new zealand waters was killed on 21 december 1964, off kaikoura, for the perano operation. 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. Neuseeland tipps fur whale watching in neuseeland whaletrips. Sep 28, 2016 with 26 ray species and 1 shark species recorded in new zealands waters, youre likely to see some of these favorites as well. The kayaking world of nathan pettigrew 21,187 views. But just hours later, a new large pod washed ashore nearby.
Small beach in bermuda, west whale bay, hd video duration. North island whale and dolphin watching, swim with whales. An official from new zealand s department of conservation said about 300 volunteers had joined conservation. Feb 11, 2017 new zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history. North of wellington, there were three whaling stations at porirua, and five on kapiti island. Hundreds of whales dead after mass stranding on new zealand. 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. Tours and tickets by moutohora island sanctuary whale island day tour. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of whale island, new zealand, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit. North island whale watching activities new zealand. Further north there were also shore stations at new plymouth and great barrier island. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in north island, new zealand on tripadvisor. Most people in new zealand live in the north island due to its larger cities and warm climate.
Whale watching in neuseeland work travel fun neuseeland. Kaikoura is known as new zealands whalewatching mecca. Whale watching on the south island new zealand forum. Volunteers fight to save hundreds of whales beached in new. 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 stranded whale rescuers who formed a human chain. About whale island tours guided walking tours of whale moutohora island sanctuary, a pristine wildlife reserve 9kms from whakatane. The island is 15 x 5 km wide and elongated in an eastwest direction. Whale watching tourism in new zealand generally focuses on sperm and brydes whales, bottlenose, common, dusky. Onboard commentary and references with facts on the bay and local marine wildlife. White island tours offer tours of moutohora whale island one of new zealands littleknown treasures, departing from whakatane.
Each island offers sites to suit all dive preferences and abilities. More than 400 whales beach themselves in new zealand cbs. Whale island tours whakatane 2020 all you need to know. The following is a list of islands of new zealand each of the two larger main islands where most of the population lives has two official names, in english and in the maori language. The 10 best things to do in north island 2020 with. About three quarters of the population of new zealand lives in the north island. As an active marinemammal research vessel every passenger contributes to important conservation efforts, just by. The magnificent waitemata harbour that surrounds auckland, to the charming harborside towns sprinkled throughout the waterways of the bay of. Unlike many other whale watching sites which are seasonal, youre guaranteed to see giant sperm whales no matter what time of the year you arrive. 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. 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. 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. New zealand had protected the right whale by law in 1935, but it was not until the emergence of a conservationist ethic in the 1970s that all marine mammals became legally protected, in 1978.
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. I want emails from lonely planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, thirdparty offers, and surveys. Please submit any useful information about climbing whale island, new zealand that may be useful to other climbers. Feb 09, 2017 new zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event is the nations thirdbiggest recorded stranding. The 10 best things to do in north island updated 2020.
Four days before christmas 1964, gunner trevor norton caught the last whale in new zealand waters and brought to an end the working life of the countrys last big shorewhaling station. As an active marinemammal research vessel every passenger contributes to important conservation efforts, just by coming on board. Kaikoura is on the east coast of south island, new zealand. The north island of new zealand serves as the gateway to this picturesque and exciting country and is home to the capital city of wellington. New zealand stranded whale rescuers who formed a human. Toothed whales feed on fish, squid, other whales and larger marine mammals. 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. Ultimate explorer 28 days total aotearoa 24 days overland explorer 21 days reverse traverse 14 days grand traverse 15 days north island tours. About three quarters of the population of new zealand lives in the north island due to its more northerly location closer to the equator, the north island enjoys a slightly warmer climate than. Whale watching has a certain tradition in new zealand. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealands north island, about 9 kilometres 5. North island whales, dolphins, seals and penguins directory. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale stranding in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history.
New zealand authorities were cutting holes in 300 whale carcasses on monday, popping the dead animals like balloons, to avoid them exploding as they decompose on golden bay after more than 600. Besides the new zealand whales, you can expect to see plenty of dolphins frolicking in the new zealand waters. It was new zealands largest known whale stranding since 1985, when 450 were stranded in auckland, and the third largest on record. If you dont mind getting wet, swimming with the whales or dolphins may be an option. Feb 10, 2017 the incident is being called one of the worst whale beachings in new zealand s history. Each of the two larger main islands where most of the population lives has two official names, in english and in the maori language. Includes optional lunch, with roundtrip hotel transport from christchurch to the picturesque town of kaikoura. Select points of interest to plot on map by type top attractions top restaurants top entertainment top nightlife top shopping. Packing in cosmopolitan cities, authentic opportunities to experience maori culture, and the countrys bubbling volcanic heart, the north island is an exceedingly versatile destination. 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. Last month, 24 pilot whales died after becoming stranded in the north island.
The tour includes boat trip to the island, circumnavigation, walking on island to saddle lookout. Modern whaling and whale watching te ara encyclopedia of. 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. Jun 08, 2012 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. Christchurch canterbury, whale watching in new zealand. Whale watch cruise, kaikoura, south island, new zealand. The 10 best things to do in north island 2020 with photos. Furthermore, almost daily you can see quite a few dolphin species. This is still an area of volcanic activity and there are hot springs on the. Volunteers gathered early to send some 100 surviving whales back to sea, after one of the worst mass strandings in new zealands history. Experience a unique eco tourism encounter in north island with a world famous whale watching or dolphin watching cruise. Auckland dolphin and whale watching cruise new zealand.
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. Its 1,729 square km in area, which makes it the worlds 14 thlargest island some more kiwi trivia for you. They are the north island or te ikaamaui, and the south island or te. Originally offering just six beds in the lodge, the family soon realised that the opportunity for something far grander existed, something that would take in the multifaceted beauty of kaikoura. In december 2009, more than 120 whales died in two separate beachings near. Volunteers gathered early to send some 100 surviving whales back to sea, after one of the worst mass strandings in new zealand s history. Feb 12, 2017 it was new zealand s largest known whale stranding since 1985, when 450 were stranded in auckland, and the third largest on record. Various new zealand travel packages include whale watching, and it is certainly among the best tourist attractions in new zealand. 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.
South pacific new zealand north island northland region matapouri things to do in matapouri. Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise 2020. The 354mhigh central dome complex is flanked by east. Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far whales are bothered by commercial whale watching. Closeup encounters with seasonal marine wildlife penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks, turtles and orca. The north island of new zealand wandering new zealand. The island is predator free so the bird life is just incredible and sightings of many rare birds were frequent and helped by the expert knowledge of the volunteer guide.
The resident population of sperm whales at kaikoura can be seen all year round. New zealand was a founding member of the international whaling commission in 1946, and 40 years later supported the commissions full moratorium on whaling. Tours are offered since the 90ies, mostly on the southern island, the northern island following its lead. 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. 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. Theres so much to see, in fact, that we had to divide the best dive sites in new zealand into two distinct regions, the north and south islands. Secure a limited ticket to tiritiri matangi island, a protected sanctuary for rare and endangered bird species of new zealand.
This is a destination to be considered from every perspective. North island luxury travel vacations swain destinations. Whale motuhora island forms the summit of a largely submerged pleistocene daciticandesitic complex volcano that lies 11 km offshore from whakatane in the bay of plenty. Further to the south, new zealands capital city of wellington can be found, and while it may have far fewer people, its a wonderfully charming city to visit. The town of kaikoura, as mentioned, is the undisputed champion of new zealand whale watching destinations.