Whales are a very common sight in the waters off kaikoura because of a 2kilometre underwater canyon that sits beside the coast. Whalewatching in westport originally published march 17, 2010 at 7. Kiakoura on the east coast of the south island is also a great whale watching region. If you are looking for the experience of a lifetime, come visit us in westport, washington and view some magnificent gray whales. Kawatiri is a town in the west coast region of the south island of new. As an active marinemammal research vessel every passenger contributes to important conservation efforts, just by coming on board.
Auckland dolphin and whale watching ecosafari cruise 2020. Whale watching in westport in westport washington on. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget. 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.
Mar 16, 2016 whalers caused the new zealand population of southern right whales to crash from around 30,000 to just 110, an international team of researches has estimated. Commercial whaling in new zealand waters began late in the 18th century and continued until 1965. Perhaps its the aweinspiring sight of these majestic creatures at close quarters, or the fact that you get to tour on a boat or in the air and see other. Photos of whaling masters on westport vessels westport. The police marine unit responded to investigate and found the whale near cockenoe island. The majestic california gray whale can be seen off the washington coast every year in march, april and may. Whale watching in westport 2411 westhaven dr westport wa 98595 usa. Auckland whale and dolphin safari a day trip cruising on aucklands hauraki gulf observing dolphins and whales at play in their natural environment aboard a comfortable catamaran one of nz s best boat trips right here in auckland bookme is the home of the epic deals and last minute discounts on all holiday adventures. Farewell spits long, protruding coastline is a confusing hazard for pilot whales, with the navigation system echo location thought to be less effective near the gentle sloping beaches.
Westport wants to welcome you to the wonders of whale watching. Though still in very small numbers, whales such as southern right whales are started. Westport new zealand, westport travel, tourism, accommodation. I am planning to visit south island nz in july 21 to aug 23. As you can see every month is good to seeing something, but the winter months mayjuly probably give the greatest range, including the occasional orca whale. Apr 28, 2008 photos of whaling masters on westport vessels. Beaked whales live in the open ocean and dive around 300m for squid. Paparoa national park rafting and jetboating in the buller gorge are also popular. Nz southern right whale population crashed from around to. Once in kaikoura we will make our way to a lookout to enjoy spectacular views of this pretty seaside village, the majestic mountains and the beautiful pacific ocean. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, grow to over 15 metres in length. Learn from experts on board working to protect these precious creatures and their fragile home.
Whale watch kaikoura kaikoura tour hasslefree tours. The westport whale hopes to inspire individuals to follow their dreams in ways that protect, conserve, and improve coastal and marine environments. Hotels near kaikoura whale watching tour, new zealand. Over the next 10 years, the seas around new zealand became a popular place to catch whales. Three other beaked whales found occasionally in new zealand are arnouxs, cuviers, and the straptoothed beaked whale. Westport new zealand activities westport activities, attractions and things to do. All the charter boats in westport are coast guard certified, and have licensed crews.
Browse vibrant shopping districts like high street and chancery home to a worldclass collection of boutique and designer stores. New zealand is therefore at the southern most point of their range. A lot of american and french whalers arrived in the 1830s. Protecting whales new zealand ministry of foreign affairs. Posted on april 28, 2008 by greg stone i am here to conduct the voyage. Come and fly with wings over whales and experience a unique perspective soaring above the wildlife and scenery. On this private helicopter tour, see kaikouras yearround whale populations without jostling for a spot to see them. Whale watching in kaikoura nz kaikoura whale watching new. Whale watching off new zealands kaikoura coast has become a major tourist attraction. There were plenty of them, and new zealand provided safe waters and a place to stock up on food and wood. The tagged whales route around the south island starting off westport, going through cook strait and then down the east coast. Westport accommodation, things to do and travel information. Westport whale watch 2601 westhaven dr, westport, wa 98595.
Search for other boat tours in westport on the real yellow pages. 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. There is a complete whale skeleton on display at the westport maritime museum. It was a major economic activity for europeans in new zealand in the first four decades of the 19th century. A car goes by, a bicyclist or walker passes, swallows dip and dart. A new zealandbased car hire with rental depots throughout nz. If you enjoy bustling market shopping, head over to the matakana country market for handmade or homegrown arts, crafts and goods. This full day tour includes a scenic drive from christchurch over the canterbury plains before arriving in the majestic seaside village of kaikoura. Westport is a port town, located in northern west coast, new zealand. You can read my full 3 week new zealand south island itinerary at this post here or you download. Cape foulwind is a prominent headland on the west coast of new zealands south island, overlooking the tasman sea. Gray whales get up to 47 feet in length and weigh as much as 70,000 pounds.
These trips leave around daylight and return midafternoon or when limits are taken. Located on the west coast of the south island at the mouth of the buller river, westport harbour provides a sheltered haven for fishing and leisure boats. They vary in length from 3m to m, they have a small head, beak and bulging forehead. Westport, ct a large humpback whale was spotted off the coast of westport friday morning. During these decades stranded whales were still often looked upon as commodities but there were also some early efforts to try and rescue them, sometimes by attaching them by rope to a boat and attempting to tow them into deeper water. As a geographically isolated country with many unique plants and animals, new zealand has a strong interest in species conservation. A short history of whale strandings in new zealand history geek.
Contact individual charter offices for pricing information. Thanks for a wonderful 2 hours in akaroa on your beautiful boat it was the perfect end to an awesome holiday great crew and gorgeous dog and very yummy cookies i would highly recommend this trip captain mark and his lovely crew including sidney the dog. Watchable wildlife westportgrayland chamber of commerce. Auckland is the largest city in new zealand but it is the diversity of experiences in. A short history of whale strandings in new zealand. Look for whales, dolphins and seabirds in the pristine waters of hauraki gulf just a short boat ride from auckland citys viaduct harbour.
Artists oceanside house with whale cottages for rent in. The harbour is ideally located for exporting and importing cargo via the west coast. Humpback whale spotted off westport coast westport, ct patch. Auckland offers some of the best shopping in new zealand. Taking in epic coastline and pristine beaches to create an exciting offthebeatentrack adventure, for the perfect 14day new zealand experience. New zealand is renowned for having a plethora of tourist attractions, but few have the broad appeal of whale watching. The charter offices in westport, washington offer whale watching trips every spring. 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.
The 354mhigh central dome complex is flanked by east. The island is 15 x 5 km wide and elongated in an eastwest direction. Feb 10, 2017 with daylight fading, rescuers at farewell spit face an anxious wait to see whether the 80 to 90 whales stranded there survive the night. The first whaling ship, from america, came to new zealand waters in 1791. It is located ten kilometres west of the town of westport. Jul 28, 2017 westport, ct a large humpback whale was spotted off the coast of westport friday morning. Westport charterboat association vessels engage in all types of recreational fishing and whale watching activities. Farther south, along the west coast, in westport, there is also a long history of. Accounts of whale strandings in new zealand through the 1920s and 1930s seem to mark a slow shift in attitude.
If you are ready to contribute to our efforts to reduce ship strikes to whales along. Almost half the worlds 80 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises are found in our waters. A perilous life westport whaling westport historical society. Seal colony tauranga bay near westport new zealand. Ellis charitable trust administered by bank of america. Kaikoura is known as new zealands whalewatching mecca. The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. Credits a perilous life was created by the following. Columbia river bar pilots risk their lives to guide cargo ships. Thousands of people watch them on their northern migration which begins in baja california and ends in their artic feeding grounds in the chukchi and bering seas. Whalers caused the new zealand population of southern right whales to crash from around 30,000 to just 110, an international team of researches has estimated. Next we will visit a fur seal colony before heading into kaikoura for some free.
Man, orcas, and large sharks are gray whales only predators. Whalewatching is a popular pastime for visitors to kaikoura, which means that the towns many whalewatching cruises can get crowded. 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. Westport for seal colony kaikoura for whale watching and then go to grey mouth to meet my friends. Westport kaikoura greymouth kaikoura forum tripadvisor. Christchurch canterbury, whale watching in new zealand. Traditionally our charters go out into the pacific ocean daily each spring from the first of march and on through most of may.
These trips are very economical and enjoyable for all ages. Auckland whale and dolphin safari epic deals and last. If you need help identifying species, download the marine mammal sighting form. Westport harbour supplies berthage and marine services. Each charter company sets their own departure schedules and. Am thinking of flying over a little earlier for solo trip and then meet up with my friends for the rest of the journey. Unlike many coastal locations where whalewatching is driven by migration, whale. Discover iconic hotspots and hidden gems on this road trip through both of new zealands islands.
Best months to view dolphins and whales relaxing journeys. Marine life the new kaikoura marine management area developed to conserve kaikouras whales, dolphins, seals, albatrosses, rock lobster, shellfish and finfish was formally opened by conservation minister dr nick smith on the 6th of august, 2014. Edward davoll, captains specific orders these photographs are a sample of the imposing characters who served as master on whaling voyages out of westport. My 16 favourite things to do on new zealands south island. Mar 17, 2010 whale watching in westport originally published march 17, 2010 at 7. Arnouxs beaked whale, or the southern fourtooth whale berardius arnouxi, has two pairs of teeth, one at the front of the jaw and one further back. Welcome to your virtual library without walls free for buller district library members. With daylight fading, rescuers at farewell spit face an anxious wait to see whether the 80 to 90 whales stranded there survive the night. Moutohora is a small uninhabited island located off the bay of plenty coast of new zealands north island, about 9 kilometres 5. 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.
New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching destinations, and this unique wildlife encounter should be on every visitors itinerary. Thousands of people watch them on their northern migration which begins in baja california and ends in their. The resident population of sperm whales at kaikoura can be seen all year round. Tourism numbers, expenditures and economic benefits. Another group range from the marlborough sounds to westport. Barbara moss jenny oneill sally sapienza bill wyatt website designed by greg stone this web exhibition is supported by the westport cultural council through a grant from the helen e.
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