Seeing humpback whales up close is the highlight of any trip to the Gold Coast. A swim with these gentle giants is something one is to remember their entire lifetime. Watching them breach, spray water into the air for a moment, is a moment that remains unforgettable in an entire lifetime. Long after you have set foot on land.
Every year, thousands of humpback whales cross the Gold Coast. They migrate to warmer northern waters for winter. They follow the continental shelf along the east coast of Australia, a route commonly called the Humpback Highway.
Every year, almost 35,000 whales cross during their migration. Once whales were almost endangered, but now they are making a strong comeback. It has been considered a success, and now they are no longer a threatened species. The population of whales continues to thrive, and this means more whales joining the migrating herd and a better chance of spotting them on humpback highway.
Humpback whales are common on the Gold Coast, so all the tour companies provide a 100 percent sighting guarantee. If someone misses out on whale sightings, they could take a boat and ride it out to the middle of the ocean or come back the next day without any extra charge.
Boats have to keep a distance of almost 100 meters. That doesn’t mean that they will swim near the boat; they do. But the gentle creatures often swim closer to it because of their curious nature. At times, they are as interested in us as we are interested in them, which is why Gold Coast whale tours are such a popular choice among visitors.
It is difficult to imagine exactly how big the humpback whales are. Unless one is witnessed in person. Some grow up to almost 16 meters long and weigh around 30 tonnes. Let’s say it’s almost about 11 elephants. So it can be said that they are absolutely massive.
The average lifespan of whales is about 90 years. Which means the whales that you have been spotting have been making this journey year after year. Amazing trivia, isn’t it?
The best time to go and see whales on the Gold Coast is around June and October. Around a lot of whales use this route to migrate along the coast.
The highest chance of spotting whales is around the time of July to September. It is their peak season. During this time, a lot of activity is witnessed.
During the whale-spotting season, the whales often swim close to the shore. Making their spouts visible from the land. Tours leave from several locations, and let’s say within 20 minutes, there would be a positive sighting.
This is quite easy for families with children and also people prone to sea sickness. An early morning route is viable, leaving the entire day free for leisure.
Whale watching on the Gold Coast is one of the remarkable things one can ever witness in their lifetime. That too in their natural habitat and from the shore. The season brings easy sightings, making it perfect for first-time visitors.
So this time add something really memorable to your trip whether solo or with your family and experience the majestic gem of nature only with Australia Local Tours.
