An estimated 200 dolphins were spotted off Wellington’s south coast this morning, with a witness describing the sighting as the largest pod they had ever seen.
Bruce Trevarthen was driving along Houghton Bay when the sight of "hundreds of dolphins" caused him to pull over.
"I jumped out and started to take some photos and videos of them, but there were so many — there was a little pod in close but that was sort of connected to two or three other pods and then 200-300m offshore there was an even bigger cluster," he told 1News.
He said he was glad he travelled with a large camera, though even that couldn't capture the sheer numbers of the marine mammal.
He added it was pretty tricky to estimate the number given half the dolphins were underwater at any given time but estimated the count at close to 200.
Also filmed by Trevarthen was a kayaker caught up in the middle of a pod.
He said the woman was paddling out along the shore when she was "engulfed" by dolphins and stopped paddling to let them pass through.
"The kayaker put her oars up — very sensibly so — and kind of just appreciated the experience, keeping her paddle out of the water when the dolphins were close."
One witness said his best guess would put the number of dolphins on Wellingtons Southcoast at more than 200. (Source: 1News)
Trevarthen said he and his wife were already enjoying what he described as a "Wellington good day", but the dolphin encounter made the moment unforgettable.
"That just made it magical."
The Department of Conservation website reminds people to give dolphins space and avoid disturbing them when they are close to shore.
Its guidelines advise people to avoid loud or sudden noises, not to swim with dolphins when calves are present, and never to touch or feed the animals.
DOC also encourages people to cooperate with others by observing wildlife responsibly, ensuring dolphins are not put at risk.
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