In the Cook Islands, the whales come to you! Humpbacks migrate into the South Pacific waters of Oceania from summer feeding grounds in the high latitude waters of the Southern Hemisphere. And from July to October, you don't even need to venture into the water to see them because they swim so close to shore. They pass by the Cook Islands in a 4,000 mile journey en route to warmer waters to mate, give birth and to rest.
A where, when and how to guide
WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH
The whole of the territorial waters of the Islands - some 2 million square kilometres of ocean - is a designated whale sanctuary. And whichever island you're on, you have a good chance of whale watching. My friend and island guide, Marshall Humphreys was lucky enough to see a baby calf being born just off shore on Atiu. If you're in Rarotonga, The best places to watch are....The Paradise Inn, The Fishing Club, the shore line in front of the main street through Avarua, Trader Jacks, Black Rock and the Edgewater Resort
INFORMED WATCHING
The Islands are fortunate enough to have one of the world's leading whale experts based on Rarotonga. Nan Hauser (left) is internationally acclaimed for her studies. And she was the driving force behind the island's whale centre which is where you can enhance your watching experience by finding out more about these amazing creatures.
The centre was established in 2000 as a memorial to millions of whales who were slaughtered through commercial exploitation. It's a short walk from town (Avarua) and has recently been completely refurbished and renamed the whale and wildlife centre. Exhibits have been expanded to cover all the wildlife of the Islands and there's a theatre screening documentaries. It's open every day except Sunday.
Photo credits: Three whale pictures above, whaleresearch.org, above left, Nan Hauser, above right, Cook Islands News
Nan has a special permit from the Prime Minister which allows her to get up close to the whales for the purposes of her research. But she's concerned about others doing the same because they could harm or even drive the whales away from the Islands. To that end, she's helped provide below some guidelines for responsible whale watching.
Photo credits, 1, Cook Islands News, 2, Greenpeace, 3 and 4, whaleresearch.org (1, 2 and 3 are humpbacks, 4 is a beaked whale)
A YEAR THAT STUNNED SCIENTISTS
In 2011, a fisherman reported a whale off the seawall on Rarotonga "with a real ugly head, logging or bobbing at the surface". Nan Hauser says that from his description is was a Wright whale which has never been seen previously in Cook Islands waters. Another sighting was of an almost completely white whale (pictured left) which experts across Oceania say they've never seen before.
DON'T JUST WATCH!
Nan Hauser is president and director of the Center for Cetacean Research and Conservation. The non-profit organisation raises public awareness of marine conservartion issues through research, publications, educational documentaries and outreach work.
Alternatively, you might like to consider supporting the work of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. It's the leading global chartity dedicated to defending whales and dolphins from the threats they face. Click on the picture on the left to find out more.
SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE WHALE WATCHING
BOATS Approach slowly from the side, never closer than 100 metres (110 yards). Whales are free to approach you. It is acceptable to stop a boat 300 meters ahead and to one side of the whale and wait quietly for it to pass. Never approach a whale head on or directly from behind. Never approach, pursue or come between a mother with a calf. A whale with a young calf may protect her offspring aggressively if she feels threatened. Circling around any whales is forbidden. If there are 2 boats present, position yourself 'one behind the other' and stay together. Never have 3 boats around the whales or they head out to sea. Never separate a group of whales, cut off their path, or 'box' them in. Vessels should not be operated at high speeds around the whales. Avoid sudden or repeated changes in speed or direction. Never approach closely with fishing gear out. Leave a whale that seems disturbed by your presence.
JET SKIS AND JET BOATS Jet skis and jet boats must never approach whales and should stay at least 300 metres away from the animals. The sound is damaging to their ears and interferes with their song and communication.
KAYAKS AND PADDLERS Kayaks and paddlers should stay at least 100 metres away from the whales for passenger security, but the whales may very well be curious and approach you!
SWIMMERS AND DIVERS Swimmers and divers are forbidden to approach whales or enter the water with a whale. If the whale approaches someone already in the water, enjoy the encounter but don't swim toward the whale. Aggressive behaviour can occur when whales feel threatened or harassed underwater. Active whales may consider you a threat during their mating season when males compete for females and engage in rough battles.
JET SKIS AND JET BOATS Jet skis and jet boats must never approach whales and should stay at least 300 metres away from the animals. The sound is damaging to their ears and interferes with their song and communication.
KAYAKS AND PADDLERS Kayaks and paddlers should stay at least 100 metres away from the whales for passenger security, but the whales may very well be curious and approach you!
SWIMMERS AND DIVERS Swimmers and divers are forbidden to approach whales or enter the water with a whale. If the whale approaches someone already in the water, enjoy the encounter but don't swim toward the whale. Aggressive behaviour can occur when whales feel threatened or harassed underwater. Active whales may consider you a threat during their mating season when males compete for females and engage in rough battles.
AT CLOSE QUARTERS
And if you're wondering what it's like to see a whale at close quarters, click the play button in the window on the left to watch this video posted on YouTube by Nan Hauser
You can help that work by clicking on the picture on the right and making a donation. Or visit their website to find out more.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE
Fifteen different types of whales were spotted off the coast of Rarotonga over a three day period in mid July, 2013. They included humpbacks which are likely to give birth in local waters. Other species enjoying the safety of the Islands waters were the sperm, short finned pilot, Culver's beaked whale, and Blainville's beaked whale.
New Zealand visitors, Miles and Kristine Patterson captured this stunning shot of a sunbathing humpback and its calf during a morning dive in August 2013 with Cook Islands Divers. They were near Papua Passage on the southern coast of Rarotonga.
New Zealand visitors, Miles and Kristine Patterson captured this stunning shot of a sunbathing humpback and its calf during a morning dive in August 2013 with Cook Islands Divers. They were near Papua Passage on the southern coast of Rarotonga.
MEETING RONNIE THE WHALE
Out of all the whales spotted by Hauser in 2013, one was particularly dear to her heart. She christened it 'Ronnie Bridge' after the father of Air New Zealand's Cook Islands' manager, David Bridge. Hauser told David and his wife Nolene that when she saw the coolest whale, she would name him after David's recently deceased father. Ronnie breached and played with Hauser for an hour and 18 minutes in the Rarotonga waters near Arorangi.
Website author's note: Neither charity has requested or paid for a mention on this page. I am a passionate supporter of whale protection and conservation and hope you might consider helping this important cause
