Whale watching has become a truly unique experience for us and our passengers.
With Humpback whales arriving around June after their long journey from Antarctica heading north along the east coast of Australia, our special and unique marine friends finally reach their calving and breeding grounds.
With Humpback whales arriving around June after their long journey from Antarctica heading north along the east coast of Australia, our special and unique marine friends finally reach their calving and breeding grounds.
Whilst many humpbacks enjoy staying further south in their usual breeding grounds the humpbacks that travel so much further to Far North Queensland where they may possibly prefer warmer waters for their chosen calving, courting and breeding or for whatever reason.
And that makes our special Humpbacks truly unique as they obviously choose to migrate so much further than many other whales.
And that makes our special Humpbacks truly unique as they obviously choose to migrate so much further than many other whales.
Our local whales could be considered to be the true athletes in the migratory journey, moving for example, 1000 klms further north than other whales of the same species.
The plunge... curled up tight it results in a vertical drop underneath the surface.
Feeling very comfortable up close and personal an adult whale views us.
Perhaps our unique whales enjoy the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park or just need a true tropical change but it is also considered that whales may return to the area they were originally born.
With an estimated 10 percent increase every year in Humpback numbers overall, that simply means there are more whales travelling about which we often observe whales breaching or frolicking about with friends during our travels to and from the Great Barrier Reef on our Snorkel Adventure.
At times, certain whales actually ' chase' the boat to signal us to stop so they can visit.
With an estimated 10 percent increase every year in Humpback numbers overall, that simply means there are more whales travelling about which we often observe whales breaching or frolicking about with friends during our travels to and from the Great Barrier Reef on our Snorkel Adventure.
At times, certain whales actually ' chase' the boat to signal us to stop so they can visit.
Other times, whales will disappear in the distance to ultimately pop up right by us, almost close enough to touch.
There is no doubt in my mind, that Humpback whales remember us from one year to the next and find a close-up experience with us, just as exciting as we do.
So we have considered the number of engagements the whales have enjoyed with us and the fact they roll around on their backs and sides as a personal whale invitation that they would like to engage with us.
This is of course, is at a time that suits them.
There is no doubt in my mind, that Humpback whales remember us from one year to the next and find a close-up experience with us, just as exciting as we do.
So we have considered the number of engagements the whales have enjoyed with us and the fact they roll around on their backs and sides as a personal whale invitation that they would like to engage with us.
This is of course, is at a time that suits them.
Sometimes certain whales spend quite a few minutes considering if they will approach us, other times we observe whales in an apparent head on discussion about it, floating about on the surface engaging with each other.
But once they have decided to approach us there is no turning back then as we observe them pop up along side, behind or off the bow.
Once there is an approx. 35 tonne whale beside us, this really is a sight to be seen.
But once they have decided to approach us there is no turning back then as we observe them pop up along side, behind or off the bow.
Once there is an approx. 35 tonne whale beside us, this really is a sight to be seen.
What happens when we stop the boat?
As we slow down and stop, whales catch up and can be seen on both sides and/or and including following us from the stern of the vessel or a number can be seen approaching the vessel at what seems like 'high speed', at times there are audible sounds they make.
As we slow down and stop, whales catch up and can be seen on both sides and/or and including following us from the stern of the vessel or a number can be seen approaching the vessel at what seems like 'high speed', at times there are audible sounds they make.
Why?
It is not possible to determine exactly why this occurs.
However, after they noticed us initially 6 years ago, the Humpbacks took little interest in us, sometimes disappearing altogether.
And then, something changed for them in the second year.
The whales started to chase us.
As humans, we have little understanding or even hear the communication sounds.
Marine life are no doubt talking to each other all the time.
If the intelligent marine life locally give Reef Express the tick of approval, we are behaving in a way they feel comfortable with I think.
Plastic Kills Marine Life
Did you know that plastic is dangerous to marine life ?
Help protect our precious marine life and our environment.
Plastic and other waste materials that may be discarded on land can end up out at sea and can cause serious illness or death to our precious marine life.
As can discarded fishing gear, including fishing line, bait bags, fishing balloons, hooks, lures, bottles etc.
Don't throw it overboard and bin it instead back at port.
We encourage everyone to consider where your rubbish items could end up after use.
Plastic free oceans for all of us.
