Dolphin Fishing Frenzy Off Wellington’s South Coast!

© Sarah Lee, 2012: Dolphins off the coast at Houghton Bay, Wellington

At midday today I checked into Facebook, after a morning of house-work, home-schooling and minding by industrious and mischief making two year old. The news that a huge pod of dolphins had been sighted off Wellington’s south coast flashed up before by eyes and, thinking they’d probably be long gone by now – but not wanting to miss the chance of a sighting, I rushed two of my daughters into the car and headed down to Houghton Bay. We drove along the coast road and spotted them moving very fast, off the coast, by Princess Bay.

They were obviously on a fishing frenzy what with the pace they were travelling at and acrobatic leaps, twists and dives.

At first we weren’t sure our eyes were seeing dolphins. The splashes may have been birds or waves crashing on the rocks. But then, the splashes started to travel, fast. We hopped back in the car and pulled up on the kerb when the dolphins turned within metres of the coast – rounding up fish in circles of coordinated genius.

It was so beautiful to see. I just hope they come to visit again soon. My sister flies in from the UK tomorrow for nine, short days! I haven’t seen her for nearly five years. It would be so great if Welly could put on one of its ‘good shows’!