Calves Galore!
This morning’s tour was a spectacular experience, with the bay graced by the presence of three humpback whale calves.
The conditions were perfect—no wind and warm sunshine, making it an ideal day for whale watching.
As we left the harbour, we immediately encountered our first mother and calf pair heading towards the reef.
Encountering the First Pair
The sight of the mother and calf was a delightful start to our tour.
The duo was gracefully making their way towards the reef, a common behaviour as the reef provides a protected environment for the calves.
However, our curiosity led us to spot more blows further away, so we decided to leave the pair to their day and head out to explore more of the bay.
Cruising with the Trio
We soon found ourselves cruising with three individual whales for a significant portion of the tour.
These magnificent creatures surfaced intermittently between their 5-7 minute dives, taking full advantage of the calm weather.
Their majestic presence and synchronised movements were a mesmerising sight, showcasing the beauty and grace of humpback whales.
Discovering More Mothers and Calves
Our adventure continued as we encountered two more sets of mother and calf pairs.
These calves were much smaller than the one we saw earlier in the tour and had a more greyish appearance.
Humpback calves are typically around 4 meters in length and weigh between 500-1000 kg at birth, but these particular calves were likely only about 3 meters long.
Hope for the Calves
The bay serves as a crucial nursery ground for these young whales.
It’s essential for them to gain weight and strengthen their muscles before they begin their journey north.
The first year of a calf’s life is incredibly vulnerable, and putting on good weight and muscle strength in the bay gives them the best chance of survival.
This morning’s tour was a reminder of the wonders of nature and the incredible journey these humpback whales undertake.
We were fortunate to witness such intimate moments between mothers and their calves, and we hope to see them thrive and grow in the months to come.
View more photos from this mornings tour on Facebook
Tours in Augusta are available for booking until August 9
