‘Spectacular’ start to Gold Coast whale watching season
It’s been a strong start to the whale watching season but the best is yet to come with a record number of whales expected to swim past the Gold Coast. Watch the video.
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It’s been a “spectacular” start to the whale watching season with a “record number” of whales expected to come past the Gold Coast this season.
Sea World Whale Watching has had one of the strongest starts to the season with 16 whale appearances over the first weekend, averaging three whale sightings per tour since then.
“The first week has had absolutely spectacular conditions in terms of calm seascape and bright skies which is always a good start,” Lauren Horner, Sea World Cruises brand manager, said.
An estimated 40,000 whales are expected to make their way through the Gold Coast waters twice this year – a record population number – as they head towards the southern Great Barrier Reef and back again.
And tourists will be spoiled for viewings with the Gold Coast boasting one of the longest whale watching seasons in the country.
“They come through in staggered stages,” Ms Horner added. “So what we’re seeing now is all the teenagers – they’re the first movers.”
“Then in the next couple of weeks we’ll start to see the really big boys and then after them we’ll even have some of the heavily pregnant females.”
The Gold Coast is famed for its humpback whales – a favourite among whale watchers for their curiosity and their “magnificent” aerial performances.
“Of all the whale species they spend the most time near the surface and the most time performing aerial displays,” Ms Horner said.
“They’re also famous for their songs – and we do have hydrophones on the boat to hear them singing live.”
But if you know your way around a boat, you might be able to see some spectacular displays for free.
Local Gold Coaster Guy Mason was fishing a kilometre off The Spit last weekend when a curious humpback whale sidled up to his boat.
“He hung around for a good ten minutes swimming under my boat and sticking his head up right beside me,” Mr Mason said.
“I don’t chase whales – they turn up just about every time I go out (and I see) whales breaching and jumping out of the water.”
“One minute it’s silent – the next you hear a prehistoric sound right beside the boat.”
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