Humpback Whale sightings across South Australia have reached new heights this season. Whale tour operator, Rod Keogh, says it’s the most he’s ever seen up in the Eyre Peninsula.
“This year is just astronomical!” He said.
“We are hearing ten to 15 humpbacks just in the hydro-phone and seeing humpbacks almost daily.”
Rod says he’s even seen a humpback calf – which is a new sight for the peninsula.
The whales are popping up across the state in droves, just today two whales were spotted at Hallett Cove. Researchers and novice whale-watchers have also seen them recently at Victor Habour, Fowlers Bay along the eastern Gulf St Vincent, from Hallett Cove to Port Noarlunga, and Second Valley.
The future for the visiting humpback population is bright, according to Associate Professor in Marine Biology at Flinders, Luciana Möller, after they were taken off the endangered animal list two years ago.
Professor Möller theorises that the rising temps of the ocean – thanks to climate change – encourages the population to come closer to the coast.
“The population is rising and they are probably looking for different areas to explore that perhaps could be a good habitat,” she said.
Humpback whales can grow up to around 18 meters long and weigh up to 40 tons – that’s longer than a school bus and more than double the weight!
Often called ‘the singers of the sea’, the male whales are known for their long, haunting vocalizations. Every morning with the sunrise, Rod catches the whale’s tunes on Facebook Live – the only whale-watching livestream in the world.
Rod says he loves how much of a mystery whales are.
“You’re always left guessing. It’s a mystery, like a Christmas present every time you see one,” he said.
“Everything you think you know about whales, throw it out the window!”
Professor Möller echos that curiosity.
“We don’t know where they come from, we theorise they could be travelling east to west,” she said.
Professor Möller encourages South Aussies to take advantage of the good whale-watching season, as the next season is never guaranteed.
“There have been so many sightings and humpbacks are quite acrobatic, so you’ll see them breaching the water,” she said.
“There’s loads of vantage points [across the state] and there is a big show for anyone who wants to see the whales.”
Check out Glam Adelaide’s guide to the best spots in SA to catch a glimpse of the ocean giants.
Rod is also calling for SA tourism to look more to the regions.
“You only get three months to capitalise on it and it’s disappointing as a regional/rural tourism operator that we haven’t heard from the tourism commission,” he said.
Book a whale watching tour on the West coast with EP Tours here.
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