The weather gods were shining down on us today for the first day of the Whale Season here in Augusta, the sun WAS peeking through warming our backs as we watched whales play in Flinders Bay. As it was our first day for the 2019 Augusta season we were slightly apprehensive as to whether or not we would even see a single whale since they are wild animals and obviously don’t have a calendar like we do… but multiple reports of whale sightings from the last few weeks from around the Leeuwin and Naturaliste Capes eased our nerves. The glassy seas made it easy to spot blows off in the distance as we left the harbour this morning on the search for whales and we knew today would be special.
We started the morning tour with a small humpback whale who slowly circled around the bay, its mind-blowing to think that this little humpie has already survived at least one northern migration and is preparing to go northwards again a 12,000kms round trip. He was accompanied by a larger whale who had found some entertainment with a pod of 20 or so bottlenose dolphins. As they played, fed and circled the whale joined in by rolling around, raising its tail sky high by almost doing headstands on the sandy sea floor. This dolphin-whale pod combination stayed with us for over an hour as they mugged the boat – makes us wonder who is watching who….
The afternoon tour was not to be forgotten either as a slow start to the tour rapidly turned into gleeful cheers as the midday-siesta was over and the whale perked up and decided it was time to BREACH! Three breaches in a row all along our starboard side. Can you believe it, not only were we spoilt with the splendid weather but it was as if the whales wanted to start the season with a bang! We cannot wait to see what tomorrow and the rest of the season brings, hope to see you there!
