Summer Winds

Hard day today. Strong easterly winds, hugged the coast and got to Herald Point. Then over towards Michaelmas Island, had a good look out deep but nothing seen and conditions not very nice at all so didn't venture too far. Cruised to Mistaken Island with strengthening winds went over the passage and then home.
Dolphins swimming with us but no whales seen. But conditions very hard.

Funny how when you tell people that weather will restrict the area we will be able to operate in and they say its ok. Then you can see that they are very disappointed they have not seen a whale. Wonder if some times people think that I don't know what I'm talking about. Been doing this 16 years now learnt a thing or two, but still don't understand people.

Quick Update

Time does get away from you when your having fun. Quick up date.
2 Humpback whale today that could not make up their mind which way they wanted to go. Made things a little hard. Swell didn't help either.
Yesterday we found 3 humpbacks East of Breaksea Island hoped they would go between the islands but didn't hang around with another boat charging around. Not sure if they knew where the whales were or not, seamed like they spent a bit of time following us.
Friday we found 5 whales between Breaksea Island and Bald Head.
Followed 2 that were joined by a third and then the show began. Some got some good shots of breaches but I had no luck.

Biggest Swell of the Year

We have had a stop start few days. Strong winds at times have kept us at the marina and yesterday we could not find the very quiet Southern Right whales that were seen just off Marine Drive the day before.
With strong winds limiting our desire to leave King George Sound too.
A couple of days ago we found whales in the shelter of the northern side of Breaksea Island. After a fair bit of effort to find them, it was good to see them slapping their tails on the sea surface, until just before the other whale watching vessel got there. Just after I had explained to our passengers the rules regarding distances we must keep from the whales the other operator cruised down our port side until they spotted the whales and then turned towards the island, luffed up and dropped their sail just in front of the whales. The whales dove and went very quiet so we follow until they get past the seal colony and then head for home.
I have contacted Dept Parks and Wildlife and will meet with Peter Hartley some time next week

For the second day we have witnessed one of the biggest swells of the year. Today we saw The Belches (an offshore reef with 12 metres of water covering it) breaking. No doubt The Gap, Blow-holes and Natural Bridge on the south coast would have been very spectacular, with the southerly swell.
We head out and intend to cruise through Frenchman Bay, past Limestone Head hoping to find a whale in Frenchman Bay which is very protected. Not to be though and just like yesterday we head across King George Sound with the swell helping us on our way.
As we get about half way across Bernie calls to say he has seen blows back towards the ship that is about half way back to Marine Drive.
We spot the blows and head in that direction. We get to the general area, we think the whales are heading towards town so idle in that direction. No sight for over 10 minutes. Whales have a huge lung capacity and it can be longer than 20 minutes between breaths, but like you and I if they are travelling fast that time is a lot shorter. These whales cant have gone far.
The whales surface in about the same place we first saw them and just lay on the surface for some time, much to the joy of some of our passengers.
Now the whales slowly head North West towards Middleton Beach. They are just cruising slow, staying on the surface for several breaths and then travelling just under the surface as they are leaving their foot print on the sea surface, making them easy to follow. 
We have been with these whales for some time and are now joined by the other whale watching vessel. 



But now the whales turn and head South East. They are now heading in the Bald Head direction. We follow for some time, we have been with the whales for close to 1 hour and its now time to head home.