Incredible Coffs Harbour photo by Carly Adams of whale breach near boat

A Coffs Harbour photographer was “surprised, shocked and excited” to catch the moment a whale breached incredibly close to a small boat, sending it swaying wildly. See how it played out.

Coffs Harbour photographer Carly Adams couldn’t believe her luck when she captured the moment a whale breached right in front of a boat in the harbour, sending the craft into a spin.

She took the image on Sunday morning, August 14, while out on one of her regular walks on the harbour’s south wall.

“I felt surprised, shocked, excited – and also proud, that I managed to capture this shot.”

She said the boat was left swaying violently, but didn’t tip.

“But I wasn’t really focusing on the boat – more focusing on getting those shots.”

Ms Adams has been a keen amateur photographer for the past eight years.

“This is definitely the most incredible photo I have ever taken,” she said.

“I love photography because I love being out in nature and seeing what the end results can be when I take a shot.”

You can see more of her photos on Instagram at: carlyadams_photography

The majority of humpbacks in Australian waters migrate north from June to August, and back towards the Southern Ocean from September to November, but this can vary depending on water temperature, sea ice, predation risk, prey abundance and the location of their feeding ground.

Last month a four-metre juvenile humpback whale found stranded at Nambucca Heads had to be euthanised.

If you see a stranded, entangled, or sick whale, report it immediately to NPWS on 13000PARKS or ORRCA on 9415-3333.

The NSW government advises powerboats, sailing boats and paddlecraft to keep a minimum distance from whales of 100m (or 300m if there are calves) and to travel at a constant slow speed and leave minimal wash within 300m of whales.