Whale whatching season start date.

2014 Whale Watching Season first cruise Saturday 31st.
Departing the marina @0930 hours.
Eve Young is off to bigger and brighter things, will miss her, and wish Eve and Chris all the best for the future. May be we will see you back in Albany some time in the future.
To take Eve's place Jason Pomery will join us. Of course Jason's dad used to own Silver Star II and Jason was skipper for several years and knew the boat inside out. Boats changed a little but sure Jason will soon get back in the swing of whale watching in Albany.

Heavy rains bring early end to Whale Watching Season

September saw the south west of Australia endure some stormy weather for more days than I can remember. With strong winds and heavy rain we lost a total of 14 days cruising for the month. With the rain came very dirty water entering King George Sound from Oyster Harbour. Southern Rights don't seem to like fresh water.

Before the rain started we had up to 15 whales just off marine drive and as the fresh water made its way into the sound every day the whales slowly moved back towards Nanarup Beach. After several weeks of weather the bar broke at Nanarup and no doubt they didn't like the dirty water that was there either.

It was a little disappointing as we were in line for a big year and expecting upwards of 36 whales in the bay for several weeks. Oh well, now we just have to look forward to next year.

Strong numbers still being seen.

Whale sightings have fluctuated over the past week or two with up to 20 whales spotted on a calm day and at other times because of strong winds restricting the area of operation, numbers have been as low as 5 whales on a cruise. Still good whale watching when they put on a show like captured below for those willing to brave the conditions.

That said we still use a bit of common sense as to weather conditions that we will travel in.

 

Its not every day we see the whales with their mouth open.

Sometimes its more than the whales.

Over the past weeks the up to 30 Southern Rights Whales have been enjoying some time in the western half of King George Sound.

 But some times its not all about the whales we see, although today we did have the pleasure of a humpback calf breaching just metres from our bow. We also had the pleasure of joining the sail training vessel "Lord Nelson" cruise into Princess Royal Harbour. Its a shame the public could not get a closer look as the vessel is along side the wharf.

A Southern Right cow and calf in King George Sound yesterday. You will note the growths around its head. We have sent these images to Doug Coughran and he has forwarded to US for their opinion. I look forward to the replies we get. Southern Rights are now starting to move around the coast with up to 8 Southern Rights being seen on one cruise.

A few pic's I got today. Finding whales every day.