Whale watching season begins as humpbacks spotted off Bondi: photos

Sydneysiders are being encouraged to keep their eyes peeled with the first whales of the northern migration spotted off the coast. See the incredible photos.

The first whales of the northern migrations season have been spotted off Bondi Beach as they embark on their annual sea change.

After having a whale of a time feeding down south, thousands of Humpback Whales will venture north in preparation for their breeding season.

John Goodridge from Go Whale Watching Sydney urged people to keep their eyes peeled as many of these majestic giants will visit our beaches in the coming weeks.

“The whale numbers are increasing every day with the peak season commencing from mid-June to mid-July where we could see over 100 whales passing Sydney every day,” he said.

“The whales are making their way north to the breeding and birthing grounds in the warmer waters off the Queensland coast.

A breaching Humpback Whale captured off Bondi in Sydney. Picture: John Goodridge

Thousands of whales are expected to visit our beaches as they migrate north. Picture: John Goodridge

“The whales going up north do enjoy the northerly wind and swell where they usually become more active.”

But the whales aren’t the only ones set to visit the state’s coastline, over the last 48 hours a polar blast has settled in the Harbour City, delivering strong and cold winds as well as hazardous surf conditions.

The whales have begun their northern migration. Picture: John Goodridge

Sydney’s coast could see up to 100 whales a day moving north during the peak migration. Picture: John Goodridge

The NSW snowfields are forecast to receive a lashing of up to 100km, with the damaging winds also whipping across the state’s south coast, central and southern tableland, and Illawarra districts on Sunday morning.

Areas which could be affected including Wollongong and Nowra on the coast, as well as Natoomba, Bombala, and Nimmitabal.

Morning temperatures will dip below 10C this week in Sydney with daytime temperatures below 20C.

Sydneysiders will breathe a sigh of relief with conditions expected to ease later in the week, setting up the city for some perfect final days of Autumn.

Originally published as Whale watching season begins as humpbacks spotted off Bondi: photos