Rare Antarctic whales spotted in Bass Strait near Phillip Island

Watch the video as 12 rare whales approach a wildlife cruise near Phillip Island in what is the first reported sighting in Australia.

A rare Antartic whale has been spotted for the first time in Victoria.

Wildlife Coast Cruises sighted a pod of at least 12 type C killer whales, including one foetal fold calf, off the coast of Phillip Island in the Bass Strait on Thursday.

Ben Dickie from WCC said the whales approached up to and underneath the boat.

“They were scouting the area looking for a feed,” Mr Dickie said.

“We are very lucky to spend time with these magnificent animals a chance meeting that may never repeat itself.”

The pod was spotted about 7km southwest of Powlett River, near Phillip Island.

Two of the type C killer whales, spotted off the coast of Phillip Island on Thursday. Picture: Wildlife Coast Cruises.

These whales are fish-eating orcas that migrate north from Antarctica. Picture: Wildlife Coast Cruises.

The whales are fish-eating orcas that migrate north from Antarctica. They are known for their narrow-angled eye patch, prominent dorsal cape and overall smaller size compared to all other killer whale ecotypes.

Dave Donnelly from Killer Whales Australia and the Dolphin Research Institute said it was the first recorded sighting of them in Victoria and the seventh reported in Australia.

“It is a pretty special thing,” he said.

Type C killer whales are characterised by their narrow-angled eye patch, prominent dorsal cape and overall smaller size compared to all other killer whale ecotypes. Picture: Wildlife Coast Cruises.

According to recent research, the shedding of skin is an important physiological need for whales that could be met by migrating to warmer waters. Picture: Wildlife Coast Cruises.

“They are Antarctic ecotypes so it is so rare to see them up that way.”

Mr Donnelly said the whales were likely trying to “exfoliate” their skin.

“It is thought that these animals migrate to lower latitudes from Antarctic waters to shed diatom algae from their skin, which gives them a yellowish appearance when in cooler waters,” he said.

“They have been reported to travel to more temperate waters to do this shedding, but they are a bit of a mystery.”

“Not a whole lot is known about their migration patterns.”

They scouted the area looking for a feed. Picture: Wildlife Coast Cruises.

Alannah Sutherland, a passenger on board the cruise, said she was amazed by the sighting.

“I kept looking at the clock thinking we were running out of time to see something and then out of nowhere they appeared,” she said.

“I would have been happy with any type of whale and I see so many people saying they have been waiting forever to see orcas, even the crew were so excited.”