Rottnest Island Whales breaching extravaganza it was today as multiple pods lit up the Indian Ocean with an incredible surface active display that lasted over an hour. The winds had arrived this morning as they ruffled the waters surface and were an indicator of the weather change expected over the next couple of days. There was however a window of opportunity to spend some time with the whales this morning and as we departed the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour it didn’t take long to notice and eruption of activity just ahead. Breaching, head lunging, pec slapping, inverted tail slapping and peduncle throws were observed for over an hour as multiple pods communicated amongst each other with great enthusiasm. It was incredible to observe such activity and one pod in particular was travelling closely with us and launching into full body breaches just off our bow.
It was a fantastic example for all Pod Members onboard to have a full view and education on the different types of surface language and their importance. Communication for Humpback Whales is a big part of the migration and sound being their main sense it pays to be able to make some noise! Surface activity causes loud impacts on the oceans surface as the whales come crashing down. The sound will travel vast distances where other whales can listen in and locate the communicating pod. Deciding if they will respond or not with surface activity of their own is entirely up to them and what they want to achieve at that point and time in their day. This morning we had very surface vocal and exuberant Humpbacks as multiple pods both near and far decided they did want to communicate and we were spoilt with such incredible, non stop action throughout our interaction with them all. A weather front will move through over the next couple of days but will clear through by Friday and we cannot wait to head back out and spend some time with the remarkable Humpback Whales of Western Australia.
