Cook Strait is the stretch of water that separates the North Island of New Zealand from the South Island. It also joins the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. At its narrowest point, the strait is about 11 miles (18 kilometers) wide. At its deepest point, it is about 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) deep. It is noted for its strong currents. The strait is named in honor of the British explorer James Cook.
The first European to swim the strait was Barrie Devenport. On Nov. 20, 1963, he made the crossing in 11 hours 13 minutes. In 1978, Meda McKenzie became the first woman to swim Cook Strait.
