Two humpback whales leap out of water to stunned watchers at Dover Heights

This sociable humpback whale had a kriller personality and blew onlookers away as it leapt out of the water for almost an hour off Dover Heights on Monday afternoon. SEE THE PHOTOS.

• Humpback whales in amazing show off Manly

This sociable humpback whale had a kriller personality and blew onlookers away as it leapt out of the water for almost an hour off Dover Heights on Monday afternoon.

Whale Watching Sydney wildlife photographer Jonas Liebschner, 33, was on a boat when he suddenly saw the giant mammal breaching just near South Head about 3.30pm.

Whale watchers were treated to a stunning show by this humpback. Picture: whalewatchingsydney.com.au

The whale did close to 50 breaches just off Dover Heights. Picture: whalewatchingsydney.com.au

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“We saw jumping in the distance, we got closer and it kept jumping — it did 50 breaches — it’s probably still jumping now,” he said.

“If you’re very lucky, they just keep doing it, we had two individuals that just put on a show for 45 minutes.”

More than 30,000 humpback whales are making the long journey from Antarctic waters to warmer tropical waters so they can mate and feed during the winter months.

Humpbacks are making the journey from cold Arctic waters to warmer tropical waters. Picture: whalewatchingsydney.com.au

They will then make their return journey past Sydney with a few thousand extra calves during August.

Mr Liebschner said it remained a mystery as to why whales leap out of the water.

“Nobody knows, there’s plenty of theories — it could be to communicate, to have a look around or to express emotions or (maybe just) cause they can,” he said.

“They come from the Antarctic where their food is, they spend the summer down there and for winter they head up north to mate and give birth.”