THERE were plenty of "whale tales" to be told after customers on Imagine Cruises got up close and personal with a migrating humpback and her calf off Port Stephens heads. According to cruise director Frank Future, it was by far one of the best encounters of the southern migration season.
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"The pundits certainly hit the jackpot to see a newborn calf breaching and frolicking with mum so close, " Mr Future said of the recent encounter. "The big female was tail slapping in tune with the little bloke breaching with Fingal Island lighthouse as a backdrop. It doesn't get any better than that.”
More than 30,000 humpback whales are currently making their way south down the east coast of Australia following the breeding season.
It is estimated around 2500 calves were born in the warmer waters off the north coast of Queensland during the winter months. The southern migration will run through until late November and Port Stephens is regarded as one of the best hot spots along the entire east of Australia to witness the annual pilgrimage.
