Rare blue whales spotted near Auckland
11 Aug 2009
Passengers on a whale watching safari were treated to a rare marine spectacle last Thursday (6.08.09) when two blue whales surfaced in the Hauraki Gulf, not far from Auckland city shores.
Blue whales - the world’s largest animal - are rarely seen off the New Zealand coast, and internationally numbers are in serious decline.
Easily recognised by their small fin and huge body, the 25-metre long mammals were spotted feeding near Waiheke Island, about 30-minutes out of Auckland.
Whale safaris
Whale watchers regularly encounter other whale species in the gulf, but the boat’s skipper said it was the first time in 10 years that he’d seen blue whales.
"Everyone on board and our skipper and marine biologist team were hugely excited," said Explore NZ director Dominic Strobel.
"The whales came up next to our vessel and then circled the boat for about 30 minutes - it was amazing."
Shearwater and diving peterals (know as whale birds) were feeding in the ocean beside the blue whales.
Blue whale
The blue whale is a marine mammal belonging to the suborder of baleen whales.
At up to 32.9m long and weighing 172 metric tons or more, the blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have existed. A newborn blue whale weighs up to 2,700kg, which is about the same as a fully grown hippopotamus.
A blue whale’s heart weighs two tonnes, and pumps about 270 litres with each beat. The main arteries are the diameter of sewer pipes.
Long and slender, the blue whale's body is varying shades of bluish-grey, with lighter markings underneath.
They have the loudest voice underwater of all animals, and their low frequency sounds travel hundreds of kilometres.
Blue whales were abundant in nearly all oceans until the early 20th century, but populations declined dramatically due to commercial whaling. There are about 2000 whales left in the southern oceans, and a total population of between 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales worldwide.
Hauraki Gulf
Explore NZ runs daily whale and dolphin safari trips on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, which is one of the most biologically and geographically diverse marine parks in the world.
The Hauraki Gulf is protected from the Pacific Ocean by the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island to the east. Great Barrier and Waiheke are the largest islands, with Waiheke the most populated (roughly 1,000 permanent residents).
Waiheke is a 30-minute ferry ride from the city, a trip many business commuters make daily. The island is famous for its white-sand beaches, vineyards and olive groves, and its thriving art scene.
Rangitoto Island dominates Auckland’s seascape. One of Auckland’s most iconic symbols, it is the largest and youngest of the city’s volcanic peaks, erupting from the sea 600 years ago. Stepping on to Rangitoto, with its red rocks and unusual hybrid plants, is like walking on another planet.
More information:
Winter best time for whale watching
Whale survey story
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