You can spot whales throughout New Zealand, including
Auckland’s beautiful Hauraki Gulf
and the wonderful Kaikoura. Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
When can you see whales in New Zealand?
The resident population of sperm whales at Kaikoura can be seen
all year round
. Orca (killer whales) may be seen from December to March, and humpback whales in June and July.
Are there any whales in New Zealand?
Almost half the world’s whale and dolphin species are found in New Zealand
. Whales and dolphins belong to a group of animals called cetaceans. … These whales are generally larger than toothed whales and include the largest whale of all, the blue whale. New Zealand examples include humpback and Southern right whales.
Where can you see orcas in New Zealand?
Queen Charlotte Sound
is the best location in New Zealand for observing Killer Whales as the calm water give amazing viewing opportunities and E-ko small group Tours and knowledge of the area make this the place to go. With very little vessel traffic the animals relax and can be in the sound for up to 3 days.
Where is the best place to view whales?
- Santa Barbara, California. …
- Monterey Bay, California. …
- Kodiak Island, Alaska. …
- San Juan Islands, Washington. …
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia. …
- Virginia Beach. …
- Long Island, New York. …
- Cape May, New Jersey.
What is the best time of year 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.
What time of year is best to go whale watching?
Spring
is the best time of year to look for FIN WHALES. Fin Whales are the second largest animal in the world and come to our waters to feed on abundant fish and krill, typically arriving in waves that last for several days before subsiding.
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.
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.
Are pilot whales native to NZ?
There are two species of pilot whales –
long finned and short finned
. If you have sighted one in New Zealand’s waters it is almost certainly a long finned pilot whale. They roam throughout the cold temperate waters of the Southern Ocean. Short finned pilot whales tend to inhabit more sub-tropical and tropical zones.
Are you more likely to see whales in the morning or afternoon?
One of the reasons that
the morning time
is the best time of day for whale watching has to do with weather and ocean conditions. The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind.
Is it safe to swim with wild orcas?
Is it safe to swim or dive with Orcas? Yes, however,
you have to be very cautious
, because they are still wild animals and need attention all the time. Orcas owe their name “killer whale” to the early whalers Because they apparently attacked and killed all other animals, even the largest whales.
Where is the best place to see orcas?
- San Juan Islands, Washington. This is one of the most dependable place to go to see orcas in the continental U.S. …
- Vancouver Island, Canada. …
- Southeastern Alaska. …
- Monterey Bay, Calif. …
- Southern California.
Is it safe to go whale watching?
Whale watching is one of the most popular leisure activities in coastal areas around the world. … There are more than 3,000 whale watching businesses around the world, employing more than 13,000 people. And
the industry is generally safe
, despite the risks of being on the open sea so close to these massive creatures.
Where can I see a blue whale?
- Saguenay – St. Lawrence Marine Park, Québec. …
- Reykjavík and Húsavík, Iceland. …
- Pico Island, Azores. …
- Monterey Bay, California. …
- Baja California Sur, Mexico. …
- Mirissa, Sri Lanka. …
- San Diego, California.
Can you swim with whales?
Generally,
swimming with whales is illegal, dangerous
and a bad idea to approach this large marine mammals. It is even worse to go close to their calves.
