If you have time, head up to port douglas, which is only an hour and a half away. Whale shark spotted at chinaman reef, port douglas. It is most likely that these large migratory movements have to do with feeding and. There is a tight window of opportunity to join a whale watching tour from cairns join a liveaboard dive trip to see the dwarf minke whales in the northern ribbon reefs of agincourt off port douglas.
As a matter of fact, 35% of the worlds whale population breeds on the great barrier reef. Brisbane to cairns selfdrive rental itinerary drivenow. Dive in australia is pleased to provide an easy booking service for all swim with dwarf minke whale trips. Minke whale dive expeditions great barrier reef mike. The best time for whale watching on cairns great barrier reef is between may and september, depending on the type of whale you would like to see. Migaloo is perhaps the most famous humpback whale in the world. The cairns post has reported that,500 whales are making the migratory trip from the antarctic, up to cairns and its great barrier reef, a 10% increase on last year. Whale watching is done in hervey bay which is the gateway to fraser island, this is a long long way from port douglas every year the humpback whales make their migration and while some do get up to the whitsundays it is hervey bay that is the whale watching capital of queensland with over 5,000 whales making a stopover for a rest port douglas is not known for this which is probably why no. Hemingways brewery port douglas our first brewery opened in 2015 and is a unique venue situated on the beautiful crystalbrook superyacht marina with 180 degree views stretching from the marina out to the daintree rainforest and beyond and is a perfect location for your next function.
This is when the whales move from antarctic waters up to the ribbon reefs. Forget dolphins, and swim with friendly dwarf minke whales in cairns. This forms part of an annual migration of approximately 4000 whales escaping bracing cold conditions in antarctica to rear their young in the warmer waters of australias east coast. These spectacular creatures migrate to our tropical waters to mate and give birth to their young. If the boat captain spots a pod of whales they may.
Whale watching cruise and taronga zoo visit departs daily between may and october. Our researchers were also among the first to study migaloo, australias famous albino humpback whale. Experience the best of cairns and port douglas when you book online and save with australias innovative activity and attraction booking engine. We will be in port douglas from 20th july and have heard that we. Dont forget your camera, a whale watching tour in port douglas is an unforgettable experience.
The minke whale is the smallest baleen whale, identified by about 5070 throat grooves. Watch as their confidence and curiosity grows, bringing them eye to eye with you. They have a characteristic white band on each flipper, contrasting with its very dark grey top color. During the months of may to august, whales visit the great barrier reef. Silversonic has one of the few permits available from the great barrier reef marine park authority that allows our guests to swim with dwarf minke whales if encountered a truly unforgettable experience from our experience, july to september is the peak season to encounter the inquisitive minkes as they frequent the agincourt ribbon reefs where silversonic visits. Whale watching tours cairns swim with whales cairns. Unfortunately no other white humpback whale migaloo jrn or barloo or chalkie has been sighted for over 5 years so it is possible migaloo is the only one still alive. The whale then moves through the net and uses its baleen to trap the prey.
Contact us at reeffree and we will find the right great barrier reef for you. Minke whale, australia and whales researchgate, the professional network for. If you every wanted to go whale watching and see the magnificent humpback whales come out to play, then hervey bay is the place. Experienceco is an online and reallife store where you can shop experiences from the worlds adventure tourism leaders all in one place. Taking the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures will leave you with memories lasting. Adam is the current australian free diver champion and is based in cairns.
Please note that whale watching is not available all year round. The commonly sighted whale species are the dwarf minke whale and the humpback whale. Australia dive, australias best scuba diving locations, australia dive day tours, liveaboards and australias scuba diving expeditions. Whale watching cairns port douglas call 07 4059 5959. Our cairns whale watching guide will give you the low down on the whale season. John rumney marine encounters scuba diving cairns port. Minke whale dive expeditions 2017 a unique opportunity on the great barrier reef. Can i travel with whale watching tours cairns if im staying in port douglas. Study area showing ribbon reefs within the cairns section of the. Pods of southern humpback whales migrate approximately 10,000km each year from antarctic waters to the warm waters of the coral sea for mating and birthing. A technique developed to allow whales to entrap their prey krill by creating a ring of rising bubbles.
Please contact the operators via our tours page to find out the best times to go. Private road transfer from cairns airport to crystalbrook marina in port douglas. Book your seat now on a cairns whale watching tour from cairns today. Swimming with dwarf minke whales dive in australia.
It seems like whale sharks like staying in port douglas for our new year. The main tourist destinations of queensland include, brisbane, far north queensland including cairns, port douglas and the daintree rainforest, gold coast, the great barrier reef, hervey bay and nearby fraser island, north queensland including townsville and magnetic island, north stradbroke island and south stradbroke island, the sunshine. Passengers of a port douglas reef charter got a close up look at a rare and massive whale shark yesterday. Minke whale dive expeditions great barrier reef mike ball dive. Important information about the health of the great barrier reef tel. Frequently asked questions whale watching tours cairns.
Australia dives dive sites include great barrier reef, coral sea, ss yongala, ningaloo reef, ribbon reefs and cod hole. Weve published articles detailing his behaviours and movements along the east australia migratory route, and weve catalogued his sightings over the years. The best months to see the whales in cairns is from june to july for dwarf minke whales, and july to august for the giant humpback whales. Australia great barrier reef whale watching handbook. Although the great barrier reef may be famous for nemo and his pals, it is also home to a much bigger marine specimen. Superb privately guided day trips on poseidon and aquaquest.
As the only permitted operator with no fixed itinerary, we are free to make the most out of changing sea conditions and animal behaviour, ensuring you get the very best whale watching experience possible. Cairns whale watching tours on the great barrier reef. Whale shark spotted on new years day cruise off cairns. The humpback whale season in cairns is at its peak from july to september. Usual wait is 20 minutes or sooner after all bags have cleared. Thanks to everyone who answered my query about where to stay in queensland i think that i am now sorted out with 5 nights in port douglas and 4 nights at the atherton tablelands. Experience a life changing event on the great barrier reef and book a tour to swim with giant humpback whales on the southern reefs or snorkel with dwarf minke whales from port douglas on a day tour or join a liveaboard dive trip to the ribbon reefs and spend some extra time in the water with these highly inquisitive animals. Whilst cairns and port douglas do not offer daily dedicated whale watching tours visitors just may have the chance to see the humpback whales whilst they are on their way to and from the great barrier reef on their dive and snorkel tours. Australias great barrier reef world heritage area provides an important breeding sanctuary for approximately 30 species of cetaceans whales and dolphins.
On the great barrier reef just off port douglas and cairns, we are blessed with the annual migration of the dwarf minke whales and the giant humpback whales as they head from the cold waters of the southern antarctic to the warmer waters further north to calve and. We specialise in cairns airport shuttle bus transfers to port douglas direct no stops. Also note migaloo can be sighted anywhere in between port douglas far north queensland or eden on the far southern new south wales coast. Whale watching on the great barrier reef is simply spectacular. Minke whale watching port douglas tourist information centre. Dont forget your camera as you are set for an incredible day out on the water with whale watching tours cairns. Swimmers had a whale shark of a time off port douglas. Whale sharks need our help please give generously to help the run for the reef research team find out why these spectacular creatures have mysteriously reduced in numbers across the planet.
On the great barrier reef just off port douglas and cairns, we are blessed with the annual migration of the dwarf minke whales and the giant. Great barrier reef whales pro dive cairns australia. Tourism operators must have an endorsement from the great barrier reef marine park authority to conduct swims with dwarf minke whales, and only a handful of tour operators in port douglas and cairns are permitted to provide these unique whale experiences. If no whales are found, continue your divesnorkel adventure on beautiful coral gardens and pinnacles. With airconditioned cabins, each with en suite bathroom, a comfortable lounge and bar and an onboard chef delivering delicious hearty meals, youll have everything you need to rest and relax after your minke whale encounter. Especially when said whale is a unique, cuteasabutton species that still has scientists baffled. Activity deals and last minute discounts on reef trips, sailing, snorkeling, fishing, golf, day spas, rainforest tours and more. When underwater you can hear the minke whales singing to each other, which is their main form of communication. Dwarf minke whale diving trips from cairns are a highlight of the scuba diving calendar, and one that can only be experienced at the great barrier reef. Our padi courses and privately guided dive trips are conducted on the excellent purposebuilt dive boats poseidon and aquaquest the best scuba diving in port douglas. Whilst cairns and port douglas do not offer daily dedicated whale watching tours visitors just may have the chance to see the humpback whales whilst they are. Cairns airport shuttle transfer service to port douglas does not wait for the bus to fill.
Whether you take a cruise from cairns or port douglas or join a multiday cruise, interaction is dependent upon the whales and ifwhen the whales decide to approach the boat. After last years lower than average numbers, it was a. Day trips are available with departures from both cairns and port douglas however these are not dedicated minke whale trips but do offer travellers frequent sightings throughout the season. There are few more emotional or moving experiences in nature than viewing humpback whales up close in their natural environment. With whale season, manta season and turtle season to experience, theres plenty to see all year round.
No stops direct from cairns airport to port douglas, and vice versa. Whale season in cairns cairns attractions cairns attractions. Private chartered flight from lizard island to cairns. If youre planning a trip to the great barrier reef, departing from either port douglas or cairns this winter, youve got a good chance of seeing these amazing marine giants. Swim with dwarf minke whales on the great barrier reef this junejuly with eye to eye marine encounters. Amazing encounters with these inquisitive whales happen at the peak of their migration every june and july. This equates to around 35% of the worlds total living cetacean species. The whale watching capital of australia, hervey bay, is a popular spot for our biggest coastal visitors, the humpback whales from june to november. Debate has sparked over whether a white whale spotted swimming off port douglas is the famous migaloo, who turns 30 this year. Port douglas reef charter spots huge whale shark near agincourt reef. Dwarf minke whales generally start to appear on the northern ribbon reefs approximately 240km north of cairns from may onwards. Minke whale expeditions take place on our liveaboard vessel oceanquest.
Every year the humpback whales make their migration and while some do get up to the whitsundays it is hervey bay that is the whale watching capital of queensland with over 5,000 whales making a stopover for a rest. Whale watching is done in hervey bay which is the gateway to fraser island, this is a long long way from port douglas. More than 7,000 whales holiday in the fraser coast on their 5,000km migration from antarctica to teach their baby calves sweet skills like breaching, spy hopping, tummy flashes and plenty of other survival tools. Where to get your padi certification on the great barrier reef. Whileaway is the port douglas destination for lovers of books and great coffee.
In the evening, attend an interpretive talk and power point presentation by researchers on whale biology, behaviour and the history behind the minke whale project. During junejuly there are often seen off the coast of port douglas and cairns as they migrate through t. Port douglas is approx 90 minutes drive from cairns reef fleet terminal so an 11am departure may work best for you. Humpbacks are referred to as baleen whales, as they filter sea water through large. While more reef off cairns becomes a hot spot in september. Whale watching port douglas cairns forum tripadvisor. Swimming with dwarf minke whales is a fiercely guarded privilege only a handful of operators are licensed to offer the experience. Book your dwarf minke whale dive tour expedition today. Scuba dive the great barrier reef from port douglas blue.
52 82 10 964 1460 1027 881 891 391 98 71 114 907 1364 1170 245 35 1129 1009 303 328 1257 802 560 553 1490 1145 5 233 230 598 870 1408 1057 1425 1401 498 674 1001 250 1334 773 661