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There are many species of whales, and if you are lucky enough to live in New South Wales or Queensland, you have a unique opportunity to observe humpback whales in their natural habitat. Humpback whales spend a portion of the year feeding on the rich krill population in the cold waters of Antarctica, then around the months of May and June, they head north to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland.
Sydney – The Whale Watching Capital of the World
For whale enthusiasts, Sydney whale watching offers a unique opportunity to get close-up with humpback whales, and during the season (May to September) thousands of humpback whales pass through the section of ocean just off the coast of Sydney. If you are planning a holiday in Australia and are looking to spend some time in NSW or Queensland, you really should book a whale watching trip, which will be something you will never forget.
Humpback Whale Surface Behaviour
The humpback has an array of stunning activities that you can observe, including the following:
- Breaching – The most spectacular of all the whale’s surface activities, breaching involves the whale powering itself directly out of the water, to come crashing back down again. We are not completely certain why whales breach; some experts think it is to remove parasites, while other believe it is a form of communication.
- Tail Slapping – The whale points his tail directly up while out of the water, then it slaps the tail down forcefully on the water to create a loud noise. Experts think tail slapping is a warning to anything that comes too close, or it could be a form of communication, but either way, it makes for very interesting viewing when out on the boat. The skipper will get as close as is safety possible, in order to give you the very best view.
- Spy Hop – The whale slowly raises his head out of the water, and the experts all agree that they do this to observe their surroundings. Spy hopping is usually followed by a lot of surface activity, so if you see a whale’s head popping out of the water, get ready for some picture taking.
There are other actions that whales might exhibit, and the skipper on the boat knows all about humpback whales and can enlighten you regarding their behaviour.
Booking a Whale Watching Trip
If you would like to experience a close encounter with humpback whales, a Google search will take you to the website of a specialist company that organises whale watching trips. The best times for this are between the months of May to November, but it is possible to see whales at other times of the year, although the chances are greatly reduced.
The number of humpback whales are in decline, and if you would like to see these amazing animals while you still can, book through an online charter company and prepare for what will be the experience of a lifetime.
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