A gentle, tranquil energy set the stage for today’s adventure as we observed several escort pods gracefully travelling north. These magnificent Humpback whales remained mostly reserved, their subtle surface activity providing glimpses into their calm and purposeful migration. The journey of the Humpback Whale is an incredible story as they undertake thousands of kilometres of travel every year to reach the warm waters found further north, which provide suitable nursery grounds for new calves and their protective mothers.
Moving through late July, we start to see the transition of whales moving through the bay still consistent, but starting to slow ever so slightly as the bulk of the population has migrated past our south coast. The estimated population size is around 45,000 individuals, so there are still a few weeks ahead of northern migration momentum until the season changes and the southern journey begins. The first tour was treated to two breathtaking breaches from different whales, creating an exhilarating contrast to the otherwise peaceful ambiance. Each breach served as a powerful reminder of the strength and spontaneity of these ocean giants.
Both tours were also accompanied by the elegant Crested Terns, easily identified by their distinctive black caps and sharp yellow bills. These agile seabirds often follow the whales, diving gracefully into the water in search of small fish stirred up by the whales’ movements. It was a day of quiet connection and shared moments with the whales along the coast of Western Australia, a beautiful reminder that not every memorable moment needs to be loud.
