Sunreef Mooloolaba tour operator predicts 2021 whale watching season to attract more than 35,000 humpbacks

More than 35,000 whales are expected to travel through the Sunshine Coast this winter with tour operators saying they are “already seeing good numbers”.

Whale backflip. Picture Migration Media Underwater Imaging

Tourism operators are expecting a bumper whale watching season with the number of humpbacks expected to be higher than in previous years.

More than 35,000 humpback whales are expected to travel north and then back south through Sunshine Coast waters this winter.

Sunreef Mooloolaba owner Dan Hart said the number of whales travelling north along Australia's east coast was expected to increase by 10 per cent each year.

"If last year's season is anything to go by, we will see whales from now through until the end of the season in early November, and we're expecting more than 25,000 people on our whale watching and swim with whales experiences," he said.

"While all of us humans, particularly those in southern states, have been restricting our movements, no one told the whales, so their migration is on track with other years.

A whale breaches in front of Glasshouse Mountains. Picture: Katie Jackson

Mr Hart said the whales would again be up close and personal for all to enjoy.

"We also find that the whales are as curious about us as we are of them, coming in for a closer look," he said.

"We're already seeing good numbers of whales and expect to see adult whales looking for mates, mums ready to calve in the warmer waters as well as juvenile whales travelling in pods."

Mr Hart said whale watching tours were important for the tourism sector especially in what is a traditionally quieter period through the winter months.

"Whale watching season is an economic driver for the tourism sector and it's even more important this year as the region continues its recovery following the COVID-19 shutdown," he said.

The whale watching season would run from July 3 through to October 17.

Originally published as Sunreef Mooloolaba tour operator predicts 2021 whale watching season to attract more than 35,000 humpbacks