Cook Strait, NZ - February 2026

The Cook Strait separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand, connecting the Tasman Sea on the NW with the South Pacific Ocean on the SW. It is 14 miles at its narrowest and considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world.

The Cook Strait is dominated by strong tidal flows, unusual in that the tidal elevation at the ends of the strait are almost exactly out of sync with one another, so high water on one side meets low water on the other. This is caused by the main lunar tide that happens about twice per day (12.42 hours) circulates anti-clockwise around New Zealand. On the Pacific Ocean side the high tide occurs five hours before it occurs at the Tasman sea side. One side is high tide and the other side is low tide. The difference in sea level can drive tidal currents up to 5 knots across the strait.

There is all kinds of wildlife from territorial seals to stinging jellies, dolphins and whales - humpback, blue and sperm; killer whales pass thru and the ever lurking Great White drops in from the Pacific having done who knows what.