Whitsunday Whales

Between July and September every year, Humpback whales migrate to the waters off Airlie Beach from their summer feeding grounds in Antarctic waters. During their visit to the Whitsundays, adult female Humpbacks are often accompanied by young Humpback calves, some born right there in the waters surrounding Airlie Beach. The calves are inquisitive very soon after birth and will often approach passing yachts to the delight of passengers sailing the clear, calm waters. The mother is usually very close and often will interact with guests on board as well, but when she thinks enough is enough, she will place herself between the boat and her calf and gently herd the baby whale away. Both mother and calf are often seen inside an anchorage cruising serenly between moored and anchored vessels. This usually occurs in the northern anchorages along the top of Hook Island and around Hayman Island as the anchorages are deeper and the water clearer.

Whale watching rules

There are rules about engaging with Humpback whales such as how close you may approach to whales when you sight them. Often once you have approached as close as you are permitted to go, switched off your engine and are simply drifting on the calm seas, the whales will dive and surface right beside your boat to check you out. Do not attempt to swim with the Whales, or chase them with your boat. The Great Barrier Reef Marina Park Authority (GBRMPA) has a great Guide to Whale and dolphin watching page.

Japanese whaling

Right in the middle of the season, it is common to have multiple whale sightings on the same day as they are plentifull at the moment after their population recovered from near extinction in the early 1970's due to commercial whaling. It is worth noting here, that the Japanese are still killing hundreds of whales in the Antarctic every year even though it has been banned internationally. They do this through a loophole in the treaty for the protection of whales by claiming it is for 'Scientific Research'. Well this is a load of crap, how many whales need to be killed every year to study ? one or two ? Maybe, but NOT hundreds. They target many different species of whales including the Humpback whale. Some of the whales you see here will not return next year as they have been harpooned and dragged into the back of a Japanese whaling ship and it's meat sold on the market in Japan as an expensive delicacy after 'Scientific Research' has been concluded on the whales carcass.

It seems that the Japanese government is not prepared to hunt in their own waters as whales no longer exist there. They have been hunted and destroyed. The only way to change this is to voice your opinion to a Japanese citizen. Most of whom are blissfully unaware of the practice and the threat to not only the species but to the tourism industry in Australia.