Incredibly rare blue whale visits Auckland

Reported by the New Zealand Herald

An "incredibly rare" blue whale has entertained and amazed tourists in the Hauraki Gulf.

Andy Light, a skipper with Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari, was taking the Dolphin Explorer catamaran towards Kawau Island when first mate Darren spotted a "massive" blow in the distance. The safari often encounters Bryde's whales, which blow 2-3m high; this was twice as big.

Then all at once, a huge whale popped out of the sea, just twenty meters away from the boat.  Light said he knew at once what it was --  "I've been doing this a long time and I know a blue whale when I see one - their dorsal fin is very, very distinctive, different from any other whale on the planet."

To make absolutely sure, he is sending photos of the dorsal fin to universities around the world.

No doubt, they will be amazed.  And extremely envious of the lucky tourists who happened to be on board the boat.