French Pass Sea Safaris and Beachfront Villas

New Zealands Ultimate Nature Adventure in the Marlborough Sounds
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The French Pass Blog
From time to time, as things happen in and around French Pass and our playground, we will add items that may interest you. Keep coming back !!!

Wildlife
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Monday, 01 March 2010

Last month saw Bottlenose & Dusky dolphins at French Pass. A pod of Pilot Whales was sighted spy hopping off Half Way Point, d'Urville Island. Arctic Skua can be seen from the bay harrassing White Fronted Terns. The NZ Falcon has been visible in the bay and appears to have a home nearby.

This is a time when Penguins moult and are susceptible to starvation. A Little Blue was bought in today and is being cared for before being returned to the water. Two Little Blues were seen baitballing a small shoal of fish off one of the outer islands, a treat for those on tour along with the delightful playfulness of several very young NZ Fur Seal pups.

This month is sea week and we will be showing the film 'Fish for the Future' all welcome.

 
Orca visit
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Saturday, 09 January 2010

A pod of over 15 orca spent the day around French Pass. Several bulls with mothers and calves played in the currents of French Pass and foraged in Admiralty Bay. Later in the afternoon another pod was sighted off the French Pass Wharf.

A surviving pilot whale that stranded off Farewell Spit has been sighted in the Current Basin today.

A large pod of Bottlenose Dolphins has been foraging in Whareatea Bay. A mother was seen pushing a young calf across the top of the water.

A group of 78 motorcycle adventure riders enjoyed a lunch at French Pass hosted by French Pass Sea Safaris.

 
Start to 2010
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Sunday, 03 January 2010

The last few weeks of December saw large pods of Bottlenose Dolphin visit French Pass, d'Urville Island and Admiralty Bay. At this time of year the dolphins are feeding on red cod. Several evenings saw many dolphins enjoying the turbulent waters of the French Pass, leaping and playing.

We were visited by Australian Young Adventurers in their quest for adventure. They too enjoyed the show put on by the dolphins as well as a seal swim.

Seal pups have now hauled out on surrounding islands keen to play with any swimmer that passes by.

The weather has shown itself to be changeable. Sunsets mystical as the low cloud  decends over d'Urville Island and surrounding hills.

Little Blue Penguin are on the water working local waterways for food along with Pied, King, Little and Spotted shag.

 

 

 
Seasonal changes
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Saturday, 12 December 2009
A cooler November has seen a late arrival of summer species, kingfish and snapper. Dusky, Common and Bottlenose Dolphins have been present. The windy weather has bought Fairy Prion, Giant Petrel, Flesh-footed shearwater and other seabirds within viewing distance of French Pass.
 
News for November
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009

New Mini Theatre

French Pass Sea Safaris has opened a new theatre to showcase local film of wildlife. The new sony high definition screen does justice to a collection of unique film of the spectacular French Pass, dolphins, seals and seabirds. Experience the 'best kept secrets' of this beautiful area. The DVD showcasing four local films is now available for purchase.

Bottlenose & Dusky Dolphins

Dusky dolphins have been seen working in 'The Current Basin' in the early evening as the sun sets. Small pods are still passing through. Bottlenose Dolphins have been visiting and showing their acrobatics with giant leaps.

King Shag & other seabirds

King shag are being seen more regularly on the 'banks' in the French Pass.  Giant Petrel have been regular visitors with Sooty shearwater and Flesh-footed shearwater. Juvenille Pied Shags are leaving the nest and White-fronted Tern are on the nest. Visitors have regularly seen the NZ Falcon on the drive down to French Pass.

 A cold month

The October and November water temp has been colder than normal making seasonal changes late for some species.

 

 
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