HOW TO SEE HUMPBACK WHALES IN THE WHITSUNDAYS 🐋

In the last couple of weeks there has been a few humpbacks whale sightings in the Whitsundays, as well as whale sounds through a hydrophone.  The whales will start to become more regular now.

The first humpback whales to arrive in Whitsundays in late May/early June are the females who are looking to mate this year.  Followed by the pregnant females.

Humpback whales only mate every 2-3 years.  Their gestation period is 11-12 months and their calf will stay by their sides for 12 months.  Some females will take a gap year after weaning their calf.

The last to arrive are the males wanting to mate.   They often stay in the Antarctic feeding grounds for a couple of extra weeks to build up their energy reserves for performing and pursuing the females wanting to mate.

The males will often be in a competitive pod showing off their speed and strength.  They will breach out of the water showing their strength and land on their backs which makes them appear bigger than their competitors.  The female leads the chase, where the weaker whales will drop off, ensuring she will mate with a male with the best genes.

This can often be seen early in the season, in the open water to the outer GBR or at the reef, which is outside the 300m vessel exclusion zone, but within the 100m zone.

During the season there are regular sightings on Explore’s Full Day GBR tour. The crew love seeing this as well, so will often cut the engines if there is a pod spotted in the distance.  Often whales are spotted cruising along the wall at Bait Reef, while the vessel is on the mooring (see photo).

Cruise Whitsundays have sightings on their full day GBR tour to Reef World and Sealink on their GBR tour.

In mid to late June the pregnant females settle into the maternity ward areas around the islands and then give birth and stay in the nursery area for the first few weeks of the calf’s life.

There is a high chance of spotting pregnant females, mothers and calves; and other humpbacks on any of the regular Whitehaven, Hill Inlet and snorkeling tours around the islands from July to September.

Humpbacks can also be spotted from July,  from anywhere on Hamilton Island including the balcony of your accommodation, One Tree Hill, Passage Peak, the marina break wall and the Yacht Club.  As well on ferry trips to and from the islands.

Land based locations on the mainland include Flagstaff Hill at Bowen, Shute Harbour Lookout, St Helens Beach, Dolphin Heads, Blacks Beach, Slade Point Water Tower, Lamberts Beach Lookout, Mackay Harbour Breakwalls and Campwin Beach Lookout.

You could also charter a boat, but be mindful of the 300m exclusion zone in the ‘Special Whitsunday Whale Protection Area’ zone or near a calf anywhere.  It’s a 100m exclusion zone everywhere else, except if a calf is present.  JetSkis must stay 300m away everywhere.

If you see a whale please post it on the ‘Whales of the Whitsundays’ Facebook group page.  Also check the page to see where whales are being sighted.

Contributed by Kellie Leonard - Whales of the Whitsundays/Master Reef Guide

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