Largest number of whales seen this year frolic in waters at Victor Harbor, delighting locals and tourists
THE largest number of whales seen this year are frolicking in waters at Victor Harbor, delighting locals and tourists.
SEVEN whales frolicking in waters at Victor Harbor are delighting locals and tourists along the state’s South Coast.
With the whale season in full swing, a total of seven southern right whales were spotted at the Bluff at Victor Harbor, including a mother and calf also spotted at Basham’s Beach at Middleton on Monday.
South Australian Whale Centre acting coordinator Amelia Graham said it was the “highest number of whales seen in a day” so far this season.
In SA, the whale season runs from May until the end of October.
During this time of year, southern right whales and humpbacks move into warmer waters off the state’s coast to breed and give birth.
Ms Graham said the whales were as close as 20m off shore.
“It’s pretty special — it’s been great viewing,” she said.
“Because they’re adults, they’re probably mating and courting.
“When southern right whales give birth here, they will hang around up to two months because the calf needs to put on enough blubber to survive the cold water down south.”
The latest photos, taken by Advertiser reader Lance Gray, captured the stunning mammals in full flight.
“When the whales come out of the water it’s called breaching. They’re not as acrobatic as humpback whales,” Ms Graham said.
She said South Australians — and tourists — were lucky to view whales from the coast.
“To advertise that you can see whales from the shore in Victor Harbor is really special, because up on the east and west coast where the humpback whales go to breed they’re not often seen so close to the shore,” she said.