When Are The Best Months To Go On A Whale Watching Cruise?

By Author: Andrew Bain
Total Articles: 72
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Whales migrate in groups for the purpose of feeding, breeding their offspring, or hunting. Although these giant mammals sometimes prefer to travel on their own, it is far more common to see them traversing the oceans together in large groups.

Whales are truly fascinating creatures and if you have been interested in discovering the perfect time of year to observe them in their natural habitat, here in South East Queensland, then you will find this article to be extremely helpful.

Whale watching season generally starts in June and ends in October of each year. Although it is possible to come across whales outside of these months, June through October are regarded as the most significant periods for whale watching.

June period

The month of June represents the beginning of the whale watching season. During this period, female whales use the opportunity to parade around with their young calves from the previous season. These calves are also known as yearlings. At this point, the yearlings are still nursed by their mothers and at the same time, use the period to learn how to navigate the ...
... ancient humpback highway. This route stretches from their feeding grounds in the Antarctica region to their warm breeding ground in the Great Barrier Reef.

July period

By July, whale migration kicks into full gear. It is the time of the year northern bound whales begin their movement. During this period of the year, you may be lucky to see baby whales, also known as newborn calves. However, sighting a whale's young calf can be a bit difficult due to its small size. The Length of a newly born calf is typically around 3-4 meters long, and their colour is usually light grey when they are still at a younger age.

August period

Beyond the two previous months, August is another significant period for Gold Coast whale watching. During this time, pregnant females migrate towards warm water, while the non-pregnant females join the other males. At this stage, the male (bulls) usually focus their attention on getting a female (cow). For this reason, do not be surprised if you see more than one male chasing a single female.

September

In September, whales begin their movement from the north, back to Antarctica in the south. The Juvenile whales and heavily pregnant whales are tasked with the responsibility of leading the journey back home. In a last-minute bid, giant male whales also join the chase for the last attempt on mating with non-pregnant females.

Besides the whale's migration back to the south, an ever-memorable event for onlookers is the tendency of pre-adult whales to get up close to the whale cruise boats, out of curiosity. This is always a fabulous chance for guests onboard to take incredible photos and record unforgettable footage of these massive ocean dwelling giants.

October

October marks the end of the whale-watching season. It is usually common to see female whales with their calves during this period, as they transform the Gold Coast waters into their own nursery. Additionally, it is during October that the females train their young calves on the rules of the aquatic world, teaching them how to swim and hunt and for food effectively.

Final thought

Whales have a culture of seasonal migration from one location to the other. Despite their enormous size, whales are among the most graceful and magnificent creatures ever to inhabit the earth’s oceans. To guarantee a wonderful whale watching experience, you must be aware of their migratory habits. While it is possible to spot whales throughout the year, the best time to see them in Australia is between June and October.

Managing director of leading Australian cleaning company, Worth Every Cent Cleaning.