11-06-2025
Watch: 'Quite magical': Humpback whales spotted off Kāpiti Coast
A group of mates out fishing on the Kāpiti Coast were treated to aerial displays from a pod of humpback whales.
Aidan Hutchison says they watched the whales for over an hour and a half on Tuesday as the whales cruised up the coast.
"It was a perfectly flat day, no wind and there was snow up on the Tararuas, it was quite magical aye... it was choice," Hutchison said.
"I've never really seen them out there before, the humpbacks, I've seen heaps of orca and dolphins but never really seen humpbacks and not that close to land.
"It was sort of like Murphy's law, we stopped and parked up and turned the boat off and got our cameras out and they were sort of just bobbing up and down and then we'd start the boat to go and they'd all start these big aerial displays."
The group had been out fishing for the day around Kāpiti Island and having already caught a bunch of fish decided to shoot down to Te Horo.
"We parked up for some snapper and we were sort of just chilling for about 5 minutes then in the distance we see the whales jumping out, they were pretty far away. We were in 20 metres of water so they must have been like 10 metres of water of so, it would have been shallow as."
Carlos (left) and Aidan.
Photo:
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They dropped the anchor and watched the whales cruise up the coast.
"They were just bobbing up and down and doing some jumps.
"We've all caught heaps of fish before but never really seen humpbacks so we decided to pull the anchor and just sort of cruise up the coast a bit. We didn't get really close to them, we just kept our distance, sort of just chilled out, had a cup of tea and watched them.
"It was pretty cool aye."
This upcoming Matariki long weekend the annual countrywide whale and dolphin count takes place.
One of the organisers, Christine Rose, says it a great reason to get out into nature at a time when the big migrating species like humpbacks and southern right whales come close to shore on their way to their breeding grounds.
"All that's needed is to head to a beach or high point, in warm clothes and stare out to sea, for a couple of hours. Whales and dolphins can be distinguished by anomalies on the water surface, including sun shining on their backs, their spouts, and often, tail slapping and leaps - special traits of humpback whales in particular.
"For people venturing out to look for whales for the first time, we recommend taking a pair of binoculars if you have them - but no worries if not, because often whales and dolphins are easily spotted with the naked eye.
A whale spotted off the Kapiti Coast near Te Horo Beach.
Photo:
Supplied
"Having a family or team of spotters helps cover a wider area. Prepare for excitement, and a fun day out in the fresh air, whether you see them or not, by getting involved. People are taking part in a unique citizen science project that helps raise awareness and celebrating both the mighty and the small lives we share our beautiful ocean planet with."
If you're in Wellington and hope to have an experience like Hutchison and his mates, Rose said the region has many great places for whale and dolphin watching.
"Sometimes they come right into the Wellington harbour which makes them really easy to spot! They're also seen from the Kapiti coast, as they head north. And elevated spots like Pencarrow Lighthouse are also good vantage points - places that give a wide perspective of the sea, to watch for any whales coming, and heading past."
