1/2 Day Dolphin And Whale Nature Rush

Tour Itinerary

This is a two-hour ocean adventure to find dolphins and explore the bays of Whale Island (Moutohora) - a dormant volcano and wildlife sanctuary 7 km off the coast. Whale Island is home to some of NZ's most endangered species including the iconic kiwi, saddleback birds, blue penguins and the native tuatara. It's a true nature rush with chances of dolphin encounters high, and the added chance of seeing whales, NZ fur seals and gannets.

Experience an exhilarating excursion in our rigid inflatable "Sea Three" (12 metre Protector rigid hull inflatable boat), experiencing the best inshore sights of the bay!

• Common Dolphins - Frequently large pods up to well over a thousand of these powerful, quick swimmers with beautiful colorations and highly photogenic
• Bottlenose Dolphins - With their permanent grin, the most recognised and likeable of all dolphins. We tend to see them in smaller pods of around 30
• Orca (Killer Whales) - The largest member of the dolphin family, easily identified by their distinctive black and white markings and very tall, prominent dorsal fin. Named the Killer Whale because they helped whalers hunt down whales. Fewer than 200 left in New Zealand waters.
• Whales - Usually sighted in the cooler months, the most commonly spotted species off Whakatane are the Fin, Sei, Sperm, Pilot, Minke and Right.
• NZ Fur Seals - On our trip around Whale Island, look out for what could be the start of a breeding colony. Pups have been sighted on the island, previously just a resting place for male seals.
• Sea Birds - Gannets, shearwaters, pied shags, spotted shags, giant petrels, the albatross and the adorable little blue penguin.
• New Zealand Falcon - Only 4000 pairs of falcon are left in the country and some are living on Whale Island. Fierce and fearless, they live on live prey and dive on humans if you go near their nest.
• Sharks - We occasionally encounter hammerhead, bronze whaler and mako sharks - usually spotted by their fins gliding silently through the water. Shy creatures that don't hang about for long.
• Little Blue Penguins - The world's smallest penguin, they grow to about 40 cm tall and weigh a little over 1 kg. They feed at sea during the day and come ashore at dusk to their burrows on Whale Island.

Inclusions:

• Pick ups from Rotorua central city accommodation
• Quality cruising aboard purpose-built 12 metre Protector rigid hull inflatable boat
• Professional and experienced crew and tour guides
• Department of Conservation permit to spend time with any marine wildlife
• Life jackets & spray proof capes

Schedule & Duration:

• Frequency: Daily, December to March only. weather permitting!
• Departure Point: Trips depart from the Whakatane wharf at 10am. Pick ups from Rotorua central city accommodation
• Departure Time: 10am. Trip times can vary daily due to weather and tide times. All passengers must double check departure time the night before the scheduled tour. All passengers are contacted the night before to confirm the check-in time and weather conditions.
• Duration: Half a day approximately
• Return Details: Concludes at original point of departure
• Closed: Christmas Day

Important Information:

• This tour must be booked at least 72 hours in advance of travel
• Confirmation for this product will be received within 24 hours of booking, subject to availability
• Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated
• Complete operator information, including opening times and local contact telephone numbers are included on your e-voucher

General Information:

• Child age is 13 years and under
• Please use the above times as a guide only. Trip times can vary daily due to weather and tide times
• Please bring camera, warm jacket, drink/snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a sense of adventure!
• All excursions are subject to minimum numbers
• Cruise on "Sea Three", a 12 metre Protector rigid hull inflatable boat. It is powered by two x 250 horse power Yamaha four-stroke outboard engines. Top speed is 50 km/hr and cruising speed on open water is approximately 30 km/hr

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