Bryde's Whale

(Balaenoptera edeni)

IUCN Status: Threatened

NZ Classification: Nationally Critical

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This species is resident to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and seen year-round on our safaris. Growing up to 15m in length, these whales are surface feeders and make for an incredible sight when seen sweeping through krill, plankton or ‘large boil-ups’ of fish.

Bryde’s whales are named after a Norwegian man called Johan Bryde who discovered the species when he helped to set up one of the first whaling stations in South Africa. The correct way to pronounce the name is ‘brooders’.

While they look fairly similar to other baleen whale species, we can tell them apart by the unique series of three long ridges on the top of their heads.

Read our 10 facts you didn’t know about Bryde’s whales.

Keen to learn more about the whale species we find in the Hauraki Gulf? Check out the massive Pygmy Blue whale and the endangered Sei whale.

Book your place on our next whale watching tour from downtown Auckland.