Whale watchers off the coast of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens are expected to be spoilt for choice this season.
After La Nina wreaked havoc on our waterways last year, local cruise businesses are already boasting record sightings of the majestic mammals.
The annual migration of humpback whales occurs annually along the East Coast of Australia from late May through to early November.
They are making their 5000km journey from feeding grounds in the icy Antarctic Southern Ocean to the warmer waters off northern Queensland.
NOVA Cruises general manager Peter Hanrahan says he has watched whale numbers gradually increasing since he launched into this industry in 2007.
He expects 2023 to be the most populated yet, with researchers from the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans (ORRCA) hoping for an increase in whale migration numbers of 10%–15% on last year’s east coast recorded numbers.
In 2022 more than 40,000 humpback whales were recorded off the east coast of Australia.
“The comeback of the whale population is great news not only for the humpback species but is also a good indication on the health of our oceans and the environment,” he says.
“The fact we are seeing more and more every year is good news.
“When we first began our whale-watching cruises there were only 7,000 whales estimated to be migrating.
“To see close to 50,000 whales migrating this year is something not yet witnessed in our lifetime.”
Numbers of humpback whales have in fact increased so much they have been removed from the threatened species list.
“2022 was a challenging season with La Nina weather influences causing regular flooding events on the Hunter River resulting in a change to the migration pattern off Newcastle,” says Mr Hanrahan.
“Fortunately, the weather patterns have settled, and we are already seeing whales migrate past Newcastle on their usual track of 30 degrees in approximately 30m water depth, which is roughly on track from Norah Head south of us heading towards Boat Harbour in the north.”
Moonshadow TQC Cruises team member Lisa Skelton reported her first sighting of the majestic creatures off the coast of Port Stephens on 24 May.
The keen photographer wrote on social media that young calves were very active in and above the water.
“My first dose of humpbacks for 2023,” she wrote.
“We’re starting to see steady numbers of whales passing the coast.
“There were plenty of pectoral waves and tail slaps and even a couple of breaches from two of the animals in the group.”
The crew at Coast XP proudly showed off photos of their first 2023 whale sighting on social media on 31 May, simply captioned ‘We have lift-off.’
The 2023 season operates from 3 June to 29 October.
Sightings occur from June to August as the whales are on their northern migration, and again during September and October as mothers and their newborn calves journey on their southern migration.
As well as whales, dolphins, seals, sea birds, sharks, and more can often be seen while on a whale-watching cruise.
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