Whale Tales

20/4/2014

With a new Whale Watching season fast approaching for 2014, I thought I'd share some tips on making the most of a whale watching cruise.

I have been on many WW trips. My first trip was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. High winds, high seas, gripping the side rails the entire trip so as not to have a 'man overboard' experience. Half the guests made use of seasickness bags. We saw whales at a distance and many people really wanted to get back to shore.

Since that time, I have been on many WW trips (with a different company) - www.brisbanewhalewatching.com.au & each has been fantastic & the memories of the whales shine through. I found Captain Kerry to be passionate about the whales & a fountain of knowledge. The crew were very welcoming & did whatever they could to make sure everyone was enjoying the trip. Morning Tea, a generous buffet lunch & afternoon tea are provided. The cruises leave from Redcliffe Jetty & travel across Moreton Bay & just out past Cape Moreton to the open sea.

I have a few guidelines I follow to help make the day a joy to remember.

Firstly, I book only a few days in advance, that way I can be quite sure of the weather conditions. I look for a day with the following conditions forecast at reputable websites:

Swell under 1 metre
Wind Speed less than 10 knots
Weather Conditions - As a photographer, I prefer a fine or cloudy day but not overcast. As the ocean's colour is a reflection of the sky, a blue sky means blue water & I find the whales are easier to spot.
Temperature - I just dress appropriately - a warm layer under a windproof jacket & a hat that is snug enough that it won't blow away in the wind & keeps the hair out of my eyes.
Polaroid Sunglasses really help cut any glare & it's easier to spot the whales underwater too!
Seasickness medication might be a consideration for you. I take a natural alternative which contains ginger as a precaution, this works for me.

Many days during our Brisbane winter align with these guidelines so it's not too difficult to find a suitable day. Days with these conditions will often give you beautiful glassy water in Moreton Bay & a swell in the open ocean that won't be demanding that you need to have a good set of 'sea legs'.

Humpback Whales can be spotted along the east & west coasts of Australia from June to November each year as they migrate from Antarctica to our warmer waters for birthing & breeding.