Whitsunday whale breach splashes Bowen boys on their trip back from Whitehaven

The incredible footage has racked up more than 2.7 million views since it was shared. WATCH HERE.

The crash of the whale landing in the water was close enough to wet the group of Bowen boys watching in awe from their tinny.

Apprentice carpenter Clancy Pilcher said he and three friends had spent the weekend at Whitehaven, fishing around the island and camping on the boat.

The boys were making their way back to the mainland when they were entranced by a whale calf breaching about 100 metres away.

“We were happy enough just to see that,” Mr Pilcher said.

Bowen boys Clancy Pilcher, Wyatt Betzel, Kris Rubesaame and Brad Weston on their camping trip to Whitehaven Beach before being entertained by a humpback whale playing by their boat. Picture: Contributed.

But out of nowhere Mr Pilcher said the group heard a loud noise from the side of the boat.

He said they looked over the side and were shocked to see a huge humpback whale playing right beside them.

“It scared the sh*t out of us,” he said.

“We were like ‘holy’.

“I’ve seen whales around in Bowen and Airlie Beach, but this felt like a once in a lifetime experience.”

Mr Pilcher said he quickly grabbed his camera to film the spectacle just off Whitehaven Beach.

The film of the whale has since gone viral on Mr Betzol’s TikTok with more than 2.7 million views.

The video has turned the tables for the boys with YouTube celebrities they have watched since they were kids reaching out on the clip.

“We had Brodie Moss from Youngbloods comment,” Mr Pilcher said.

“We’ve watched his stuff on fishing and spearfishing for years.”

A huge humpback was spotted off Whitehaven Beach. Picture: Clancy Pilcher

A Department of Environmental and Science spokesman said there was no evidence the skipper in the clip had approached the whale.

But he reminded anyone out on the water of the risks that can emerge in whale migration season.

“The whale migration is amazing to see and attracts thousands of boaties, but humpbacks can surface unexpectedly and they are unpredictable,” the spokesman said.

“An adult humpback can weigh about 40 tonnes and can potentially cause serious injuries to a human if they get too close.

“Skippers need to remember that whales may actually approach their boats, and if you’re in a small craft, move slowly away from the whale.

“Penalties for getting too close to humpback whales include a minimum $667 on the spot fine or a maximum fine of $16,014.”