During these months’ we most commonly have the opportunity to view pods of Orca as they pass by, usually in pods of between 6-12 individuals 2 or 3 times a month. The area is now thought to be home to the largest group of orcas in the Southern Hemisphere, drawn by the promise of a free feed. Witness the lobos (a local nickname meaning wolves) gulp down sea lion pups after purposely beaching themselves at high tide in order to capture their prey. The waters around Norway’s northern region of Tysfjord and further towards the Arctic Circle are some of the richest fishing spots in the world – and they draw large numbers of whales. Then sign up today for free so you don’t miss out! How about checking out the 5 Best Places for Swimming with Dolphins while you are at it? Situated along a migratory route in between the North and South Island, it’s no surprise that the Marlborough Sounds has its fair share of marine mammals. The movements of Alaska’s 18 pods of resident orcas are dictated by two factors: ice and fish. A 12-year-old Auckland boy has captured rare video of a pod of orca hunting and killing dolphins off Auckland's east coast. Where to see: Tours regularly depart San Juan’s Friday Harbour, or visit Lime Kiln Point State for shore-based whalewatching. Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far whales are bothered by commercial whale watching. Whale watching ecotourism and research vessel in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, New Zealand. Find out more in 7 Whale and Dolphin Species to See in Auckland. While on a recent sea kayak tour in the Auckland Harbor we where fortunate to see a pod of Orca. Wetsuits, trisuits, swimsuits, accessories and top-quality customized clothing. This video is about a day observing 20 Orca in Auckland; assisting Dr. Ingrid Visser. Explore tweets of Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari @aucklandwhale on Twitter. Hop on board the Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari for your chance to see whales. From small precious artefacts to an original full-size marae (meeting house) and waka (canoe), this is a fascinating glimpse into early Māori culture. As the orcas are very used to the coming and going of boats, you will have the chance to get excitingly close to the predators. Not only can you view the whales by boat with Whale Watch Kaikoura, but you can hop on a plane and get a unique view of them from the sky. Enjoy encounters with wild whales, dolphins, seabirds and other marine life while learning from on-board experts and supporting our conservation efforts. Orca on the hunt in Peninsula Valdes, Patagonia, Argentina (Shutterstock). Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. 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. An orca off the coast of Canada (Shutterstock). During the New Zealand summer, pods of orca can be seen passing through Auckland. When to go: March-April (Punta Norte) and September-October (Punta Delgada and Caleta Valdes), Spot orca off the coast of Iceland (Shutterstock). You can spot whales throughout New Zealand, including Auckland's beautiful Hauraki Gulf and the wonderful Kaikoura. Search for whales straight from the city of Auckland. Bryde’s whales are also residents in Hauraki Gulf and can be seen during most of the tours. Orca in Auckland. Our incredible eco safari direct from downtown Auckland offers breathtaking encounters with marine wildlife. Orca in Wellington Orca can be found all throughout New Zealand's coastline. It’s not just orcas on view: grey, minke and humpback whales also frequent San Juan’s waters. A pod of orca have been patrolling the close Auckland coasts this week, delighting onlookers who have lined beaches from Whangaparaoa to Mission Bay. Vancouver Island is home to two main orca communities. Join us for a New Zealand whale watching tour and see whales, dolphins, seals, rare seabirds and more! Your safari departs from the Viaduct Basin, just a short walk from all the major hotels and hostels in Auckland Central. Check out more about the Bay of Plenty in our Bay of Plenty category. Although there are no tours dedicated to whale watching in the Bay of Islands, whales are frequent visitors to the bay. Different orca families have adapted to prefer a variety of prey, with some hunting marine mammals, and others preferring to feed on fish. When to go: January-April (Snæfellsnes) and March-October (Húsavík), Orca jumping out of the water near the Lofoten Islands (Shutterstock). Part of the Pacific Ocean, the Hauraki Gulf covers an area of 4000 km² surrounding the Auckland and Coromandel regions. Orcas need to be free!! The New Zealand waters are the fourth-largest marine territory in the world, with a whale migrating route going straight through them. The Orcas cruise the shallow waters in harbours such the Waitematā to forage along the muddy or … Go to the south of the region to see around 80 killer whales feeding on salmon or head north to catch some of the 260 that patrol these areas. and never miss out again. Back in the day, Marlborough Sounds was a hub for whaling but today, thankfully, all that has changed to viewing them for a safe distance (for the whales). Here in Auckland, we are fortunate to be home to a Nationally Endangered species of whale – the Bryde’s whale. Pods of orca are known to venture into Wellington Harbour throughout spring and summer looking for a unique food source (orcas in other parts of the world aren't known to do this), but it is rare for them to stick around.They dig in the muddy sea bottom for stingrays and are often seen hearding them into shallow water around Oriental Parade, Frank Kitts Park, and The Lagoon. Orcas in Auckland. Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Hop on board the Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari for your chance to see whales. A surface-feeding Bryde's Whale is spotted in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Neither heavy in numbers nor easy to spot, the lure of Patagonia’s orcas is their sophisticated hunting technique. Where to see: Victoria, Campbell River, Telegraph Cove, When to go: May to October in the south and July and August in the north, Sign up for our newsletter today There’s nothing like the rush of excitement felt when spotting a huge body appearing from the water, finishing with the graceful emergence of an almighty tail. All rates are in NZD and GST inclusive For Booking Mobile: +66-85-048-3725 Email : info@tripates.com , booking@tripates.com. Welcome/Kia Ora! Plus, you can see them all year round. Spot orca off the coast of Iceland (Shutterstock) Orcas are common to the coastal fjords of western Iceland, where they… It has a year-round resident population of orcas, with about 150 to 200 orcas often seen traveling along New Zealand’s coast. You can spot whales throughout New Zealand, including Auckland's beautiful Hauraki Gulf and the wonderful Kaikoura. Bryne’s whales and common dolphins are the usual species seen on the Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari, although you may see four or five different species on one trip. 4.5 Hour Eco Cruise Explore the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park on … Learn more about one of the most popular activities in the Auckland area: whale watching. On a whale-watching encounter in Kaikoura, you are very likely to see other sea life, such as fur seals and dolphins. Location: Kaikoura, South Island. In Auckland, a pod of resident orcas can be seen from December to March. A pod of orcas cruising the Hauraki Gulf has been delighting fishermen and beach-goers for the past few days. Top Auckland Central Dolphin & Whale Watching Activities: See reviews and photos of dolphin & whale watching in Auckland Central, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, Auckland CBD Experience the diverse wildlife and stunning scenery of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Location: Whakatane, Bay of Plenty. Premium Auckland Wellington Christchurch. Alternatively, the city of Tromsø has also recently emerged as a prime orca-watching hub. Known for its cultural diversity, music, food, and arts scene, Auckland is a beautiful coastal city located over volcanic lands in the country of New Zealand. In Wellington, pods of orcas are found in Wellington Harbor throughout spring and summer, looking for other food sources. New Zealand’s most unique whale and dolphin watching safari departs direct from downtown Auckland. Where to see: Orcas gather in the Kenai Fjords, around Resurrection Bay, as well as in Kachemak Bay. A pod of orcas surface in Auckland harbour. Also, since a couple of years, research is done in how far whales are bothered by commercial whale watching. Húsavík, on Iceland’s northern coast, also has a bounty of whales – including orcas – particularly during summer. Check out our complete guide to the Hauraki Gulf here. By using this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and the terms of use within it. The salmon-rich waters of the San Juan archipelago, off the coast of Washington state, provide a feast for the islands’ three resident orca pods as they track fish close to the shores during the summer months. In fact, we have a ‘resident’ population, so we can see them in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park year-round. Orca are the most widely distributed mammal on earth with the exception of humans. Where to see: Tours depart from the Viaduct Basin - only a short walk from the centre of Auckland - from where you'll be taken to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Located 50km off the coast of Western Australia, the ocean canyon around Bremer Bay has seen a frenzy of marine life in recent years. Check out our complete guide to the Bay of Islands. Spot whales and dolphins on boat tours on the bay. Two orcas have been filmed swimming in a popular estuary north of Auckland, filled with holiday-makers. Bryde’s whales are also residents in Hauraki Gulf and can be … It is also possible to see long-finned pilot whales, humpback whales and even blue whales. NZ Herald Home. May 26, 2017 - Adults : $180 pp Children : $125 pp(U16) Family Pass :$460 (2A+2C) Additional Children : $80 pp (with Family Pass) Group & Private Charter rates available upon request (up to 100x passengers) Prices valid 1st Oct 2017-30th Sept 2018. Orcas are common to the coastal fjords of western Iceland, where they devour a wealth of herring and often put on vivid aerial displays. Crime … Whales are not the only marine wildlife encounter you can have in New Zealand. They prefer deeper water but can be found in shallow bays and estuaries, and in inland seas. Discover more than 1000 taonga (treasures) at the Auckland War Memorial Museum – the largest collection in New Zealand (and the world). Orca behaviour – Often referred to as wolves of the sea, orcas live and hunt together in cooperative pods, or family groups, much like a … With that in mind, it comes as no surprise to find there are some excellent whale watching tours from the coast of New Zealand. It’s not that uncommon to spot whales simply by chance when exploring New Zealand’s coast by boat or kayak. Take a cruise from Whakatane to the active volcano of White Island and the aptly named Whale Island for multiple wildlife encounters. Yesterday the creatures were spotted close … Orca (Killer Whales) are often seen close to Auckland city. Otherwise, orca whales, minke whales and pilot whales can sometimes be seen from Whakatane’s shore. Top Auckland Central Dolphin & Whale Watching Activities: See reviews and photos of dolphin & whale watching in Auckland Central, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. Orca near Bremer Bay, Australia (Shutterstock). A surface-feeding Bryde's Whale is spotted in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Its distribution is patchy however and it is more commonly seen at the poles and in cooler waters. Where to see: The lively village of Grundarfjörður, two hours’ drive north-west of Reykjavík on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is the prime location for orca watching. Orca in Auckland. A pod of Orca (Killer Whales) are spotted cruising past … The Bryde’s whale is non-migratory. Long-finned Pilot Whale. It just goes to show that you should always have your camera ready and your eyes peeled! A Bryde's Whale approaches a whale watching vessel in Auckland, New Zealand. Enjoy a 4.5-hour cruise on board the luxurious ‘Dolphin Explorer’ as we explore the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Marine Park in search of encounters with its amazing and diverse marine wildlife. Keep an eye out, too, for soaring bald eagles in full flight. You are most likely to spot baleen whales in June/July when they migrate through the Cook Strait, as well as the odd sighting of orca in Marlborough Sounds. Where to see: Many tours depart from the village of Andenes on the northern island of Andøya. nzherald.co.nz. The Antarctic is a great feeding ground for orcas and it is estimated that half the world’s population (around 25,000) reside there. Seek out herring-hungry orcas and possibly jump in and swim with them too: this area is one of the few places in the world where you are permitted to snorkel alongside wild orcas. Location: Marlborough Sounds, South Island. New Zealand Orcas are the only known Orca group that eat stingrays as a staple food, often hunting them into shallow water and sometimes beaching themselves. Orcas are known to be regular visitors into the Auckland harbour itself, making the Hauraki Gulf, the body of water on the east coast of Auckland, a great place to start searching for our flippered friends. In many instances, orca … https://nzpocketguide.com/5-places-to-spot-whales-in-new-zealand Check out our complete category on Marlborough right here. All of which are attracted to the continental shelf close to the land known as the Kaikoura Canyon. From the year-round show of sperm whales in Kaikoura to the frequent visits by orcas in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand provides an awesome opportunity to see an unreal variety of whale species. Incredibly hard to differentiate from their “short-finned” cousins, the long … Orca where not afraid of the sea kayaks while the ate the eagle rays. You will also see the endangered Bryde's whale which reside in the Hauraki Gulf year-round. Orca (Killer Whales) are often seen close to Auckland city. Where to see: Boat tours geared around orca watching go solely from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour. A Bryde's Whale approaches a whale watching vessel in Auckland, New Zealand. Location: Auckland Central. Orcas in Auckland. Orca (Killer) Whales in Auckland Harbour Last week about 200 onlookers gathered on Auckland’s Tamaki Drive to watch a pod of Orca Whales hunting close to the shore. Visser holds three university degrees: a Bachelor of Science (Massey University), a Masters of Science, and a Doctorate of Philosophy (both the University of Auckland). Visser has been working with orcas (Orcinus orca, also known as killer whales) since 1992 and completed her PhD in 2000, the first scientific study of orcas in New Zealand waters. During these months’ we most commonly have the opportunity to view pods of Orca as they pass by, usually in pods of between 6-12 individuals 2 or 3 times a month. Sep 6, 2016 - Paddleboarding with Orcas in Auckland Harbour Reports put it down to an underwater hydrocarbon gas leak fertilising the waters, luring fish (and predators) from near and far. A pod of killer whales has been sighted close to shore in the eastern bays of Auckland Harbour today. Read more about the town in our Kaikoura travel guide. And the amazing marine life doesn't stop there, with humpback, dolphin, sharks, turtles and even the little blue penguin regularly being spotted. Alternate whale sightings with skygazing, as you hunt down the northern lights at night. Orca offers triathletes everything they need to face their challenges. Expedition cruises circle the Antarctic Peninsula in search of dorsal fins cutting through waves, or to witness orcas crashing into icebergs to knock unsuspecting sea lions into the water. When the pack ice advances off the north of the state, they head for the shallow waters off south-eastern Alaska to gorge on king salmon and for the females to calve. 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. The best whale watching on the Bay of Fundy, Canada. A family of orca whales saw Auckland Viaduct swimming with thrilled spectators when they came within just a couple of metres of the Maritime Museum pontoon. Orcas hunt co-operatively and are even known to intentionally strand themselves on beaches temporarily, in order to catch seals. By using this website you agree to our, Advertise your business on New Zealand's most popular travel guide, 7 Whale and Dolphin Species to See in Auckland, complete category on Marlborough right here, Guide to the Aotea Track on Great Barrier Island, 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in New Plymouth, 10 Most Beautiful Lakes on the North Island, 10 Most Beautiful Lakes on the South Island. It’s fair to say, that spotting a whale is a once in a lifetime experience for many backpackers coming to New Zealand. The probability of seeing a whale on an Auckland whale-watching cruise is 75%. A pod of Orca (Killer Whales) are spotted cruising past … You will also see the endangered Bryde's whale which reside in the Hauraki Gulf year-round. Top Auckland Dolphin & Whale Watching Activities: See reviews and photos of dolphin & whale watching in Auckland, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. This makes Auckland one of the few places in New Zealand and the world where you can easily see a baleen whale at any time of year. Kaikoura is the only place on earth that you can see giant sperm whales on a tour. Departing from the heart of Auckland City, it will take you to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park—a dreamland of all marine life it is visited by one third of the world’s total marine species. In fact, almost half of the world’s species of whale are seen around New Zealand’s coast. AU +61 (0)2 900 70 415 -- JP +81(0)3 45208997 -- US +1 650 6145419 -- … Wednesday, 06 January 2021. Claudia Linturn saw the two dolphins heading up the estuary at Mangawhai Heads, a popular swimming spot, and returning out to sea about half an hour later. In order to improve our services our company uses first-party and third-party cookies to offer users a more customised service, identify the session and allow analysis of the website. An orca in front on Auckland's skyline (Shutterstock) During the New Zealand summer, pods of orca can be seen passing through Auckland. Killer whales can be easier to find than you think. Keep an eye out for orca and Bryde’s whales, most often seen between May and July, when on a boat or kayaking trip out in the bay. Tours depart from nearby Seward and further south-east from Juneau’s Auke Bay Harbour. New Zealand. Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The Orcas cruise the shallow waters in harbours such the Waitematā to forage along the muddy or … Did you know there are places to spot seals and penguins too? Location: Paihia, Bay of Islands. Love travel quizzes, events and competitions? Orca where not afraid of the sea kayaks while the ate the eagle rays. Members of the oceanic dolphin family, Orcinus Orcas, or Killer Whales, as they are commonly called, are found in all oceans. Where to see: Viewings are mainly land-based, with the beaches of Caleta Valdes, Punta Delgada and Punta Norte all good viewing spots. Where to see: Tours of the peninsula from Argentina’s Ushuaia are popular, with sightings of minke and humpback whales common. © 2020 NZ Pocket Guide. Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. | Twuko Contact – Disclaimer, Welcome/Kia Ora! The most important regions on the Northern Island are Hauraki Gulf in Auckland, Bay of Islands in the north and Bay of Plenty in the east where a lot of different kinds of dolphins can be watched all year long. While on a recent sea kayak tour in the Auckland Harbor we where fortunate to see a pod of Orca. The ocean around White Island is a hugely popular diving spot and with that a great attraction for marine mammals. In Auckland, a pod of resident orcas can be seen from December to March. Trips from New Zealand to the Ross Sea in the eastern Antarctic are also rich in orcas. CALL US NZ (+64) 9 3022800 -- info@orcacom.co.nz -- Contact us to discuss your VoIP, cloud phone system & internet connection requirements for your business. In Wellington, pods of orcas are found in Wellington Harbor throughout spring and summer, looking for other food sources. Find out more about Whale Watch Kaikoura on Viator and Tripadvisor. Here’s where to go whale watching in Auckland. A family has been left "star struck" after an orca swam up to their boat to say hello in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. A couple of orca near San Juan Island (Shutterstock). An orca in front on Auckland's skyline (Shutterstock). We're fast, reliable and can offer custom solutions. Humpback and minke whales are common, while the majority of wild sea otters also call Alaskan waters home. The most important regions on the Northern Island are Hauraki Gulf in Auckland, Bay of Islands in the north and Bay of Plenty in the east where a lot of different kinds of dolphins can be watched all year long. Part of the Pacific Ocean, the Hauraki Gulf covers an area of 4000 km² surrounding the Auckland and Coromandel regions. It has a year-round resident population of orcas, with about 150 to 200 orcas often seen traveling along New Zealand’s coast.