What Whales Can You See In New Zealand?

Whale watching tourism in New Zealand generally focuses on

sperm and Bryde’s whales, bottlenose, common, dusky, and Hector’s dolphins

. Other species that may be encountered opportunistically during tours include killer, humpback and southern right whales.

What is the most common whale in New Zealand?

The Gray’s, Arnoux, Cavier’s and the Southern strap-toothed whale

is the most common seen in New Zealand waters. Beaked whales live in the open ocean and dive around 300m for squid. They vary in length from 3m to 13m, they have a small head, beak and bulging forehead.

What kind of whales are in New Zealand?

New Zealand examples include

humpback and Southern right whales

. See information about common whale species below. Killer whale/orca are actually the largest member of the dolphin family.

Are there beluga whales in New Zealand?

They include fin, bowhead, humpback, northern right, southern right, gray, sei, two species of minke, and two or possibly three species of Bryde’s. … Toothed whales: 69 to 73 species including sperm, orca, pilot, beluga, narwhal, around 20 species of beaked whales, and 46 species of dolphins and porpoises.

When can you see orcas in New Zealand?

Orca can be found around the coast of New Zealand (including estuaries and harbours) being seen off the Kaikōura Coastline generally between the

months of November – March

usually at least 2-3 times a month. These majestic creatures can be found travelling in tight knit pods of between 6 – 20 individuals.

What is the best time to see whales in Kaikoura?

The best time to see whales in Kaikoura is from

June to August

. This is the peak time for migrating whales. In addition, the resident sperm whales when visiting during these months. However, Kaikoura is an amazing year-round destination for whale watching.

What time of year is best for whale watching?

What is the best month to see the whales? – Peak season is considered the

summer months of mid-June through early September

. During this time, we see whales (orcas, humpbacks and/or minke) on over 90% of our tours. There are whales here year round, but much less predictably so outside the summer months.

Why are so many whales found in New Zealand waters?

Almost half the world’s approximately 80 species of cetaceans are found in New Zealand’s waters. This is not surprising as New Zealand controls the fourth largest marine territory in the world, its

waters are rich with foods

that these mammals need, and it is on the migratory path of the largest whales.

Can you see blue whales in New Zealand?

There are two sub-species of blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere, the Antarctic (or true) blue whale and the pygmy blue whale. … A blue whale population lives in

New Zealand waters for part of the year

. They don’t just pass through on annual migrations, but it’s unknown for how much of the year they are present.

Are sperm whales native to NZ?

Almost half the world’s whale and dolphin species are found in

New Zealand

. … New Zealand examples include sperm whales, pilot whales and dolphins. Baleen whales have plates of baleen suspended from the roof of their mouths, through which enormous quantities of krill are sucked from the water.

Can you see orcas in New Zealand?

Its distribution is patchy however and it is more commonly seen at the poles and in cooler waters. They prefer deeper water but can be found in shallow bays and estuaries, and in inland seas. Orca

can be found all throughout New Zealand’s coastline

.

Where can you see orcas in New Zealand?

Occasionally you can also see orcas around the Northern Island. The actual whale watching destination in New Zealand, however, is the Southern Island, where you can watch whales and dolphins in several places. The most well known are

Kaikoura and Akaroa

from where over 40% of the whale watching tours start.

What is a whale or dolphin called?

cetacean

, (order Cetacea), any member of an entirely aquatic group of mammals commonly known as whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Do orcas eat humans?

In fact,

there have been no known cases of killer whales eating a human to our knowledge

. In many cases, killer whales aren’t considered a threat to most people. For the most part, killer whales appear to be quite friendly creatures and have been the main attraction at aquarium parks such as sea world for decades.

Can you swim with whales in New Zealand?

Experience a unique whale, dolphin, seal or penguin encounter in Auckland. Many

eco

-tourism cruises offer exciting whale or dolphin watching experiences. If you don’t mind getting wet, you may be able to swim with the whales or dolphins.

Where is the best place to see orcas?

1. San Juan Islands, Washington. This is one of the most dependable place to go to see orcas in the continental U.S. …
2. Vancouver Island, Canada. …
3. Southeastern Alaska. …
4. Monterey Bay, Calif. …
5. Southern California.