When can you see whales in New Zealand?
5 min read
Asked by: Christina Nunez
Orca (killer whales) may be seen from December to March, and humpback whales in June and July. Several dolphin species are seen almost daily in the area. Whales thrive close to Kaikoura because of its unusual submarine landscape.
Where can I see whales in New Zealand?
- Kaikōura. Canterbury. A coastal town on the South Island, Kaikōura has become one of the top tourist destinations in New Zealand for its abundance of rare marine life. …
- Malborough Sounds. North of the South Island. …
- Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Depart From The Viaduct. …
- Moutohora Island. Bay of Plenty. …
- Akaroa. South Island.
- San Juan Islands, Washington. Getty Images. …
- Bar Harbor, Maine. Getty Images. …
- Maui, Hawaii. Getty Images. …
- Juneau, Alaska. Getty Images. …
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Getty Images. …
- Newport Beach, California. Getty Images. …
- Jacksonville, Florida. …
- Long Island, New York.
What is the best time of year to see whales?
When is the best time to view the whales? The best time of year to view Orca whales is in May through September. If you’re looking for humpback whales then we suggest September through January.
What is the best month to see whales?
Summer Whale Watching (June, July, August):
The Summer months are the best months to witness the world’s largest animal…the BLUE WHALE! Southern California is the best place in the world to look for a Blue Whale as they seek the nutritious krill that allows them to grow to their epic size.
When can you see whales in Auckland?
During the migration season between June and August, we also see other species of whales. At this time of year humpback whales and southern right whales travel up New Zealand’s coast.
What time of year are 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.
When can you see humpback whales in New Zealand?
Orca (killer whales) may be seen from December to March, and humpback whales in June and July. Several dolphin species are seen almost daily in the area.
Where is the best place to see whales?
The 12 Best Places in the U.S. to Go Whale Watching (and When to…
What time are whales most active?
Whales are never diurnal, but they can be crepuscular. This means they are most active during twilight hours which are both before sunrise and after sunset.
Where are whales this time of year?
Monterey Bay, California
Monterey Bay in California is one of the best places in the United States to whale watch, no matter what time of year. However, for winter whale watching, humpback and blue whales are seen as late as December. From December to April, the bay is teeming with gray whales.
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.
Can you swim with orcas in New Zealand?
“Obviously you are not allowed to swim with orca whales on purpose, but they came up to us,” Morris told the New Zealand NewsHub.
Can you see blue whales in New Zealand?
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.
Do blue whales come close to shore?
It’s been a great season for blue whale sightings off the coast of Northern California. Dozens of blue whales, the world’s largest animal, have been spotted unusually close to shore. Lured by an abundance of food, the tiny crustaceans called krill, their appearance has delighted whale watchers and marine biologists.
What whales are in NZ?
Most people call the larger cetaceans whales, and the smaller ones dolphins. However, some species that we call whales actually belong to the dolphin family. In New Zealand there are five such whales: the killer whale (orca), short-finned pilot, long-finned pilot, false killer and melon-headed whales.
How many blue whales are left in NZ?
“We have generated a minimum abundance estimate of 718, and we also were able to document eight individuals that we re-sighted in multiple years in New Zealand waters, including one whale seen in three of the four years with a different calf each time, and many others we saw at least once.”
How can I see a blue whale?
The only place to see them is in the wild. And Dana Point, California, is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. During the summer months there are more blue whales off our coast than anywhere else in the world. Blue whale watching in Southern California is typically May through October.
Is a blue whale’s heart?
A mighty heart for a mighty creature
The whale’s heart is about 5 feet in length, 4 feet in width and 5 feet in height, and can weigh as much as 175 kilograms, which is the same as some cars. A blue whale’s heartbeat is so loud that it can be heard from almost 2 miles away.
Where can you find blue whales?
The blue whale is found alone or in small groups in all oceans, but populations in the Southern Hemisphere are much larger. In the Northern Hemisphere, blue whales can be seen regularly in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and off the coasts of Monterey, California, and Baja California, Mexico.
Can you swim with a blue whale?
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the very few places in the world where, besides being able to go blue whale watching, swimming with blue whales is allowed. Imagine getting into the water with the largest animal that has ever existed!
Are blue whales friendly?
In a nutshell, yes, blue whales are friendly animals. These animals feed almost exclusively in krill, so have no interest in humans and are not a threat to us.