New Zealand wildlife: What to expect and where to go wildlife spotting

Dolphins

There are several types of dolphin in NZ, and you might even see them from the beach. You can also take a guided tour to spot dolphins.

Bottlenose dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins are found around the world, including in NZ. They have a relatively short beak and a high, hooked and prominent dorsal fin. They are dark or light grey on the back and white on their belly. An adult can be between 2 and 4 metres in size.

Where to see it?

You are likely to spot this common species of dolphin in Doubtful Sounds (Fiordland), between Doubtless Bay and Tauranga in Northland, and between Marlborough Sounds and Westport in the northwest of the South Island.

Dusky dolphin

The dusky dolphin is only found in the southern hemisphere. They are black and white in colour. An average adult size is 2 m. Dusky dolphins can vary from swimming in groups of 3-5 individuals to 10-20.

Where to see it?

You can see them in Kaikoura, especially in summer—despite normally gathering in small groups, in Kaikoura, they can be found in groups of up to 2,000. You will also have a chance of seeing them during the winter season at Admiralty Bay in the Marlborough Sounds.

Hector’s dolphin

The Hector’s dolphin is one of the only dolphin species found only in New Zealand. This small species of dolphin with a rounded dorsal fin has been listed as endangered since 1988. They typically measure 1.5 m and weigh an average of 50 kilos. They are grey, with white markings on their belly, and black on their flippers, fin, head and tail.

Where to see it?

You can see them on the South Island, mainly between Haast and Farewell Spit in the west, on the Banks Peninsula in the east, and between Te Waewae Bay and Porpoise Bay in the south. Akaroa is a popular place for guided tours looking for Hector’s dolphins.

Māui dolphin

Credit: DOC

This dolphin is a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin, but it is a little smaller and perhaps one of the rarest dolphins in the world. Its habitat is mainly on the west coast of the North Island. It will be difficult for you to see one, since their population is very small and they are at risk of extinction (the latest study on the subject indicates that there are only 54 left).

Seals and sea lions

Fur seal

The New Zealand fur seal is found along most of the coast of New Zealand. When they aren’t out at sea, they are usually found lying on rocks (unlike the sea lions, who prefer the beaches). Fur seals differ from other seals because of their ear flaps and hind flippers, which rotate forward to allow faster movement on land.

Where to see it?

You’ll find the NZ fur seal mostly on the South Island, mainly along the east coast.

North of Kaikoura, there is a large seal colony at Ohau Point. You can pay for a guided tour to get up close and personal, either by boat, kayak, or swimming with the seals. If you prefer to view them for free, you can watch the colony from the Peninsula Walkway or Ohau Point Lookout.

Sea lion

Sea lions are similar to New Zealand fur seals, but are a little larger. They like to come and rest on the beaches and surrounding vegetation. Keep at least 20 m distance from the sea lions, especially during breeding season, as the males can be aggressive.

Where to see it?

Sea lions are mainly found on the islands located south of the South Island. At Surat Bay or Cannibal Bay in the Catlins, you are likely to spot at least one sea lion, regardless of the time of day. You can walk between the two beaches via a coastal track, so if you don’t have any luck spotting sea lions at one beach, make sure you try the other.

A small colony has also established itself on the Otago Peninsula. It is also not uncommon to see them if you go to Sandfly Bay beach.

Other seals

It is also worth noting that leopard seals and elephant seals can sometimes be seen on the New Zealand coast, especially on the South Island. The former have speckled bellies while the latter are huge with slightly trunk-like noses (hence their name). It is quite rare to see them but they can create a buzz in the media when they get too close to homes or people.

Tips for how to safely observe seals and sea lions:

It is important to follow the safety instructions given by the DOC to protect yourself and the animals. These are wild animals, their size and weight are generally very large, and you may be surprised by the speed of their movements.

• Never get between the sea and a fur seal: on all beaches where fur seals are regularly found, you will see this notice.
• If you are in a group, do not surround the animal; this could make it panic.
• Keep your distance; remember it’s a minimum of 20 m.
• Don’t try to touch them: they can be aggressive! They can also transmit diseases to you and you can transmit yours to them.

Whales

Similar to the dolphins, you can find several species of whale in NZ: the blue whale, the humpback whale, the Southern right whale and the sperm whale. Learn more about the different types on the DOC website.

Where to see them?

Whale watching is mainly done in two different parts of NZ: Kaikoura—the most famous for whale watches—and the Hauraki Gulf (Auckland).

Kaikoura is one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales.

Note: The orca is classified in NZ as a species of dolphin, rather than a whale. If you want to see orcas, they can be found around Wellington, the Kapiti Coast and Waiheke Island.