Breaching
For many people whale watching is a bucket list item, something to experience once in a lifetime. Off the coast of Brisbane, Australia, with the help of Eye Spy, we’re lucky enough to experience this phenomenon for around 6 months of each year. From June through November it’s winter in Brisbane and the whales visit our mild waters to escape winter in the Antarctic.
Eye-Spy is a purpose built whale watching vessel which departs daily from the Redcliffe Jetty, (about 40mins north of Brisbane CBD) during the whale watching season. It cruises through the marine park of Moreton Bay, one of only 2 vessles allowed. Captain Kerry has been doing this for a long time and knows how to spot a whale, so much so that she guarantees a sighting. She also provides a live commentary which explains about whales, their habits, habitat, environment and conservation. All this while you enjoy your Moreton Bay cruise and a buffet lunch on board.
We board around 9:30am and take a seat. I’m out with my mum today and it’s relaxed and not busy at all although there is a big group of Chinese tourists on tour. The boat departs and Captain Kerry gives us some information about the whales and what to expect as well as some background and conservation information. We sit back to enjoy being out on the water on such a lovely September day and watch the horizon in expectation.
It’s about 40 minutes until we hear someone cry out and the Captain announces a sighting. Sure enough, just a little bit south east of the boat, between us and Moreton Island, we can see some ripples in the far off water and then, squinting, I see a blow. Everyone cheers.
It’s a privilege to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The humpback whale has one of the longest migrations of all animals, travelling over 10,000 kilometres annually on their migrations. They feed in the cold Antarctic waters during the summer and return, travelling up the Eastern sea board, to the warm tropical breeding grounds of sunny Queensland during winter to give birth.
After lunch, all there is to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. It’s pretty overwhelming to see these incredible creatures up close. So close that they swim under our boat, disappearing for a moment and then popping up on the other side. I feel as if she’s peering right through me as she breaches and I catch her eye for just a moment. Given the boats aren’t allowed to approach the whales, this is even more incredible as the whales actually choose to swim this close to the boat. I get the feeling that they are as curious as we are, as they play and leap around. Another breach as she slaps the surface and water sprays from her great tail. It really does feel like a game of eye-spy.
As we say goodbye
She is all power and grace as she swims away with her friends, taking her curiosity and playfulness off to discover something else in these beautiful waters. She’ll probably be back tomorrow for another game.
Good To Know
Brisbane Whale Watching runs daily tours from June through to November. Visit Brisbane Whale Watching for more details.
