Can you swim between New Zealand islands?
Can you swim between New Zealand islands? A Scot has set a new world record for the fastest swim across the Cook Strait - the waters between New Zealand's North and South Islands. Andy Donaldson, 31, swam through the night to complete the 23km route in four hours and 33 minutes.
Which is prettier North or South Island New Zealand?
The South Island is very different from the North Island. For starters it's larger than the North Island and generally considered more beautiful. It also has gorgeous coastline, though it's best known for the many mountains and fjords that define its inland.
How long is the ferry ride from North to South Island New Zealand?
New Zealand's most famous and beautiful ferry route is between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. The journey between the two islands is commonly referred to as 'crossing the Cook Strait'. The sailing time is around 3.5 hours (weather dependent).
How rough is the Cook Strait?
Cook Strait can also be one of the world's roughest stretches of water. It's part of the westerly wind belt known as the Roaring Forties. As the only gap between the mountainous main islands of the country, the strait acts like a huge wind tunnel.
Can you swim between North and South Island New Zealand?
A Scot has set a new world record for the fastest swim across the Cook Strait - the waters between New Zealand's North and South Islands. Andy Donaldson, 31, swam through the night to complete the 23km route in four hours and 33 minutes. It was the third leg of seven comprising the Oceans Seven challenge.
How deep is the water in the Cook Strait?
Cook Strait, strait separating the North and South islands of New Zealand, extending northwest to southeast from the Tasman Sea to the south Pacific Ocean. About 14 miles (23 km) wide at its narrowest point, it averages 420 feet (128 m) in depth.
Is it too cold to swim in the ocean in New Zealand?
How cold is the water in NZ? Being long and skinny, New Zealand's ocean temperatures vary from island to island. The North Island enjoys temperatures of 20-22°C in summer, while in winter, it drops down to 15°C.
Is it better to go to North or South Island New Zealand?
Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. If you want to deep-dive into nature, the South Island has plenty of lakes, mountains, fjords, and glaciers to discover.
Why is there no bridge between New Zealand islands?
It would be engineeringly impossible to build a bridge or tunnel between the North and South Islands of NZ using current engineering technology. Cook Strait is very deep and the several earthquake fault lines would preclude a tunnel.