Humpback Whale hot spots: TAS, NSW, Tasman Sea

[Alan Mighty]

Virigina Andrews-Goff and colleagues have published in Nature their research pinpointing the migration paths of humpback whales N from Antarctica.

The research includes identifying for perhaps the first time that humpback whales may pause for days to forage for food in certain select areas. Earlier thinking, based on the observations from whale hunters, was that little or no foraging was done on the N-ward migration.

Offshore from Eden, NSW, is one such humpback whale foraging hotspot. Little wonder then that cruisers meet whales there (and that Eden was a key site for killing and butchering whales not that long ago).

See the attached graphic of the humpback migration paths and hot spots: Whale hot spots TAS NSW TasmanS.jpg, about 125 KB

Read Andrews-Goff et al.'s paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30748-4#Tab2

[JPA Cate]

If it is your pleasure to interact with them, they also visit Tonga (around Neiafu), and I saw my first double broach in the lagoon east of Noumea, New Caledonia, near Cap Ndua.

Ann

[chris07732]

For sites a little closer to the east coastline: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ocean-i...GKLEd4ryeYcu5Y

[chouliha]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

If it is your pleasure to interact with them, they also visit Tonga (around Neiafu), and I saw my first double broach in the lagoon east of Noumea, New Caledonia, near Cap Ndua.

Ann

You can add Mo’orea, French Polynesia to your list. We have swam with them numerous times. Last time was with a Mom and baby on the surface..... For more than an hour, then a male came up alongside them and started to sing. I could feel the vibrations thru my body. One of our top 10 nature experiences swimming with whales. Especially when the baby peels off from Mom and comes over to play.

[first.contact]

Come to North Queensland! We were fortunate to have four humpback whales play with our yacht while moored at Little Pioneer Bay in the Great Palm Group of islands off Townsville. We were a bit freaked out by their proximity but they were completely gentle with us.

If you are interested a short video of our encounter is here: maritimehippy.com - Queensland Humpback Whale Season

Remember to give them good sea room if you are underway.

Happy whale watching

[44'cruisingcat]

Platypus bay, on the west side of Fraser island is a really good spot for whale watching.

Usually calm waters, sheltered from the SE, the whales seem to stop for a break in their migration.

They're friendly, they'll swim right up to your boat and check you out.