Oceania Humpback Whales have arrived in Niue
20 July 2015, 12:36PM
Niue Tourism
Old friends Falcon, Gentoo, Stumpy and Alofa are expected to return to the warmer waters of Niue soon to calve and mate during whale season. A whale sanctuary since 2003, the beautiful waters of Niue have long been a favoured place for Oceania Humpback Whales.
Several of these deep ocean dwellers – although not the regulars mentioned above yet – have already returned, so visitors should be booking their tickets to see one of the ocean’s biggest creatures up close.
Niue’s pristine waters are on the migratory path of the Oceania Humpback Whale. The whale season lasts until September and offers giving visitors the chance of a whale encounter like no other.
Because of Niue’s reef and water clarity, whale watching from land is possible as the humpback whales swim as close as fifty metres from the shore line, having travelled five thousand kilometres to get to tropical waters during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter months.
“As Niue’s waters are a humpback whale sanctuary, no one is able to approach the whales unless with a licensed, local operator, but we can get up close,” says Krystal Hunter, Director of Buccaneer Adventures Niue Dive.
“The humpback whales are so undisturbed here in Niue they feel safe enough to breach and play more often than not. So you really get to know each humpback and their personalities when out on the water.”
The whale watching trips have started on Niue and will run until September. Tours start in the morning, run for four hours, include light refreshments and educational presentations on the Humpback Whale, and costs start at $130 per person.
The following tourism providers offer experiences with the humpback whales:
- Buccaneer Adventures Niue Dive: http://www.dive.nu/
- Magical Sea adventures: http://www.magicalniue.com/whale-watching
- Fish Niue Charters: fishniue@gmail.com
