Sea life Watching in New Zealand

If you're thinking of going to New Zealand to watch wildlife in the sea, you are in for a treat.  The seas around New Zealand,  the South -Western Pacific Ocean are alive with over 15,000 marine species.  However, the vast majority of visitors are only interested in the animals that can be seen easily with the naked eye.  What you will see, if this is your criteria are whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals and penguins.  In addition to these large animals, there are the under sea creatures namely, fish, shellfish, squid, crabs, lobster, sponges, starfish etc. most of which you'll probably on see on your dinner plate or in an aquarium.

Perhaps the most popular place in New Zealand for whale watching in Kaikoura, which is located on the east coast of the South Island.  Here you can see the world's largest, toothed whale, the Sperm whale in it's natural environment at any time of the year.  The Orca (or Killer) whales are only resident in the summer months of December to March whilst Hump-back whales are at home in June and July.  In Kaikoura, dolphins can be seen at almost anytime.

Dolphin watching can be great fun.  These animals often give visitors a wonderful display of their swimming talents.  Tour operators go to great length not to disturb them but they will often deliberately swim near to boats to perform their tricks.  The best places to see them are in the north of North Island around Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Islands regions.  In the South Island, they can best be seen in the Marlborough, Canterbury and Fiordlands regions.

Little Blue Penguins are often to be found in the Marlborough Sounds, Akaroa Harbour, Oamaru and Stewart Island . The rare Hoiho penguin can be found in the Otago region, near to Dunedin and along the south coast of this region.

Fur seals are the most common specie of seal around the coasts of New Zealand but there are also some colonies of Southern Elephant and Leopard seals.  Also occasionally to be seen are Hooker's sea-lions. The west coast of the South Island is good for finding these animals as is the Abel Tasman NP and Kaikoura on the west coast.  On the North Island, the coastline around Wellington is the favoured spot.

By the way, the emergency services number in New Zealand is 111.