subject: The Gold Coast - Watching Whales [print this page] The Gold Coast is a well-known spot for watching whales, and there are many different boat tour providers in the area. The best tours to join are those that are members of the Gold Coast's Whale Watching Association. It is also sometimes possible to see whales from the shore, as they often come in very close to the land along this coast.
The season to watch whales on the Gold Coast begins earlier than that at Hervey Bay, with whales beginning to pass the Coast approximately six weeks before any are spotted at the Bay. The season lasts longer on the Gold Coast too, thanks to its location that ensures whales pass nearby on both parts of their annual migration, and can be spotted throughout the season.
Humpback whales are some of the most magnificent creatures that you can see. An adult humpback whale can reach lengths of between 12 and 16 meters, and can weigh 36000 kilograms. They are also one of the most playful species of whales, and will frolic in the water, breaching frequently, and slapping the surface with their broad tails. Many individual humpbacks are very curious and will come up to look at the whale watchers who are looking at them from a boat.
The waters off the Gold Coast play host to as many as 10000 humpback whales between June and October each year, when these huge animals make their annual migration. At the beginning of the season, they are heading north into warmer waters for their breeding season, while later in the year they travel back south into the Antarctic, where they will spend the rest of the year feeding on small fish and krill. They only feed while they are in the polar waters. When they are in the tropics and sub-tropics, they live off the fat that they have built up. Humpback whales usually migrate up to 25000 kilometers every year.
White humpback whales have been spotted along the Gold Coast, including one of the world's most famous whales, a completely white humpback whale.
A whale watching tour by boat will usually take about three hours, and most companies offer both morning and afternoon departures. Costs can vary, but a half-day tour will usually cost approximately $85 to $95 for an adult or about $50 for a child. A number of tours depart from around the Marina Mirage at Main Beach, but there are also some other places where it is possible to join a tour. It is best to wait for a calm day before going out to look for whales. Not only is it easier to spot the whales when the weather is good, but it will also be much more comfortable on the boat.
