Identification Humpback whales are easy to identify and are well known for their spectacular breaching and beautiful, complex songs. They have a small dorsal fin with a distinctive hump at the front, knobbly protuberances on the head, tip of lower jaw and leading edge of extremely long flippers. Their tail flukes are broad and have a unique black and…

Where to find orca Orca are the most widely distributed mammal on earth with the exception of humans. Its distribution is patchy however and it is more commonly seen at the poles and in cooler waters. They prefer deeper water but can be found in shallow bays and estuaries, and in inland seas. Orca can be…

Facts The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is found in offshore warm-temperate waters in the Atlantic and Pacific and is the most numerous dolphin within this range. It is closely related to the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) which prefers shallower and warmer water. Short-beaked common dolphins are found in waters throughout New Zealand and Australia.…

Facts Hector’s dolphins are among the world’s smallest marine dolphins. They are found only in the inshore waters of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Two sub-species of Hector’s dolphins exist: the South Island Hector’s dolphin which is found around the South Island of New Zealand, and the Māui dolphin which is found off the west coast of the…

Distribution and habitat Dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) are confined to the southern hemisphere in temperate and subantarctic waters between around 26°S and 55°N. Main populations occur around South America, off south western Africa and in New Zealand waters. In New Zealand, dusky dolphins appear south of East Cape and are rare in more Northern waters. They have been…

Distribution We never know where they will be yet are always happy to see them, and they are delighted to see us. The Bottlenose are very social Dolphin and interested in interacting with us humans, they love to look up if you are watching them or come and check you out if you are singing…