Encounters with marine life in New Zealand

Kaikoura is one of the few locations in the world where whales can be seen from the shore. (Courtesy Chris McLennan/Tourism New Zealand)
As a destination, New Zealand has proven itself to have some of the most friendly, engaging and charming locals time and time again.

Interestingly enough, those attributes don’t just apply to the people. They also describe many of the marine mammals and other sea creatures that call the waters off New Zealand home. With several breathtaking coastal areas, where visitors can enjoy a close encounter with friendly dolphins or take a whale watching tour, it’s easy to see some of the most incredible marine life in the world.

As the only habitat of one of the world’s rarest dolphins, the friendly Hector’s dolphin, New Zealand is also home to dusky dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and the orca (killer whales). Pilot whales, penguins and New Zealand fur seals are also part of the sea population of New Zealand.

For many, swimming with dolphins has been a lifelong dream. Throughout New Zealand, there are many opportunities to swim with the playful creatures in the open sea, rather than in penned aquarium cages.

Daily tour boats operate from a number of ports throughout the country, including the Bay of Islands, Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, Kaikoura, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, Lyttleton and Akaroa, where there is the chance to swim with Hector’s dolphin. The boats have large viewing decks and guides trained in marine mammal behaviour. Passengers learn about the marine life and habitat and are provided with interesting and entertaining information about the sea life. Swimmers are equipped with a wet suit, mask and snorkel in order to get up close and personal with the charming sea mammals.

While there is a great deal of freedom in swimming in the open ocean with dolphins, tour guides are always focused on ensuring that this is done with environmental sensitivity and with the welfare of the dolphins in mind. The Department of Conservation has put into place very strict guidelines to protect the sea life. Swimmers are briefed on what is and is not acceptable when interacting with the lively and intelligent mammals.

For those interested in whales, there are many opportunities to experience the drama and beauty of several different species in their natural environment. In fact, nearly half of the world’s whale species can be seen off New Zealand. Some species, such as the sperm whale, are considered “permanent residents.” Other types of whales, such as humpbacks, blue and southern whales, pass New Zealand at the beginning of winter on their way to the nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Pacific ocean.

The Ontario Science Centre has just opened a special exhibition of Whales/Tohora, developed and presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The Whales/Tohora is a dramatic encounter with an undersea world of skeletons, fossils and models – a feast of exciting information and activities for adults and children. This exhibit is at the Ontario Science Centre until March 20, 2011.

Air New Zealand has direct non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland and offers flights from many other North American cities. Visit www.airnewzealand.ca for more information. Qantas (www.qantas.com) also offers flights from many North American cities.

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