Cook Strait

Cook Strait, the strait between the North Island and the South Island of New Zealand, takes its name from Captain James Cook, the first European commander to sail through it (January - February 1770). On the north side of the strait lies the harbour of Wellington. On the south side are the Marlborough Sounds and Cloudy Bay.

Related Topics:
Strait - North Island - South Island - New Zealand - James Cook - European - Wellington - Marlborough Sounds - Cloudy Bay

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The two large bays, Golden Bay and Tasman Bay, lie on the South Island coast immediately to the west of the strait, and the North Island coast to the west recedes towards the giant curve of the Kapiti Coast and South Taranaki Bight. To the east of the strait, the South Island recedes, the coast running south-west after reaching the headland of Cape Campbell. The North Island's short south coast stretches along Palliser Bay, terminating at Cape Palliser.

Related Topics:
Golden Bay - Tasman Bay - Kapiti Coast - South Taranaki Bight - Cape Campbell - Palliser Bay - Cape Palliser

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One can clearly see each island from the other in good weather. At its narrowest point the Strait has a width of 23 km (between Cape Terawhiti in the North Island and Perano Head on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds). Counterintuitively, at this point the South Island's coast lies further north than that of the North Island.

Related Topics:
Cape Terawhiti - Arapawa Island

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Regular ferry services run between Picton in the Sounds and Wellington. The Strait often experiences rough water and heavy swells due to strong winds, especially from the south. But New Zealand's geographical position directly athwart the Roaring Forties also means that the gap between the North and South Islands funnels westerly winds into itself and deflects them into northerlies.

Related Topics:
Ferry - Picton - Roaring Forties

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The Strait is on average 128 metres deep.

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