Te Aumiti / French Pass, Narrow strait between D'Urville Island and South Island, New Zealand.
Te Aumiti is a narrow strait between D'Urville Island and the South Island of New Zealand, connecting Tasman Bay to Pelorus Sound. At its narrowest point, this passage measures only 100 meters wide.
French admiral Jules Dumont d'Urville was the first European to navigate through the strait in 1827, facing significant challenges from the water conditions. His exploration made the passage known to European maritime charts.
The Māori name Te Aumiti means 'the passage', reflecting this waterway's role as a traditional sea route for indigenous navigation. Visitors today can experience this connection to Māori maritime heritage when traveling through the waters.
The strait experiences strong tidal currents reaching about 8 knots, making navigation demanding especially during daily tide changes. Visitors should check tide schedules and local conditions before crossing.
Between 1888 and 1912, a Risso's dolphin named Pelorus Jack guided vessels through these waters and gained protection under New Zealand maritime laws. The animal became legendary among sailors and travelers using the passage.
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