Last Thursday, two very curious humpbacks chose Sea World Cruises’ flagship whale watching vessel, Spirit of Migaloo II, as the perfect place to hang out.
Skipper Michael turned off the engines as the whales approached the boat from all directions. They were even caught swimming underneath the boat on the sounder!
The whales playfully popped their heads out of the water and rolled onto their backs, exposing their bright white underbellies.
This intense mugging, which lasted over 45 minutes, made it impossible for the vessel to travel back to the departure point. Vessels cannot move away from the whales until they have swum a safe distance away from the humpbacks. Sea World Cruises enjoyed spending extra time with the whales whilst the humpbacks enjoyed the company of the vessel and checking out the humans on board.
When the adult whales aren’t preoccupied with saying hello to eager whale watchers, they have been busy hanging out in the Gold Coast Bay.
There have been sightings over the past week of the last competition pods of the season. A competition pod is also playfully nicknamed ‘Fin-der’, a way for female whales to find their perfect match. These sightings show that breeding season is still in force, and the last of the available females are being pursued by males.
Males can be seen showing off to one female to prove to her that he is the best choice. Males will slap their fins, throw their tails and launch themselves out of the water in a display of strength and agility. The female will choose a partner that she deems the strongest.
Over the next few weeks, researcher Laura Torre-Williams is expecting to see calves of the season on their journey southbound.
Whale Watching Cruises depart up to seven times daily from Sea World Cruises Terminal at Sea World in Main Beach. For more information, visit seaworldcruises.com.au
