Where and When Can You See Whales In New South Wales?
When can you see Humpback Whales in New South Wales? You are guaranteed to see whales between May and October. One of the best places on the Mid-North Coast to watch Humpback Whales migrating is Woolgoolga Headland.
You can read some more information about Woolgoolga and it’s headland on the National Parks NSW website.
There hasn’t really been a time I’ve gone out there in the last four months where I haven’t seen a whale breaching. They are not terribly close to shore most of the time, but with my Nikkor 55-200mm lens, I get an OK look at them.
You Can See Whales Pec Slapping From Land
This huge whale was waving it’s massive pectoral fin in the air like a first-time Olympic flag-bearer. These photos don’t really do it justice but this fin must have been twice my height and I’m 175cm (5″7′)!
Pectoral fin slapping is another way that Humpback Whales communicate with each-other. Male whales will do this before they split off from a group of other males that are competing for a female. Females will pec slap to attract a mate.
More Action From The Whales In Woolgoolga New South Wales
As is the norm at Woolgoolga Headland, it wasn’t long until I saw another whale. This one was breaching.
I am always fascinated as to how such an incredibly heavy animal (a large adult can weigh up to 30 tonnes!), can launch itself clear out of the water. It shows you how incredibly powerful they are.
This Humpback was a fair distance from shore, so my 200mm focal length couldn’t get any closer than this.
My family and I are going out with one of the local Whale Watching Cruise providers Jetty Dive to watch whales soon, so I hope to get some awesome shots then.
You Don’t Just See Whales In Woolgoolga
Just before I left the headland I noticed a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins swimming out of the bay. Luckily for me, they had a quick play in the huge waves on their way out. It is not uncommon to see pods of Dolphins along the coast here.
I would think surfers would be jealous of the Dolphin’s wave-catching abilities. They can swim at speeds of up to 30km/hr, which would make catching a wave so easy. And of course, they don’t need a board!
Have you had an awesome whale watching experience yourself? Please let me know in the comments below.
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