Humpback whale

(megaptera novaeangliae)

During the months of June to October migrating humpback whales from Antarctica pass the northern New South Wales coastline and because Byron Bay is the most easterly point of Australia, Humpbacks whales can be easily viewed from the coast. Weighing up to sixty tonnes and about fifteen metres in length, Humpbacks whales can still put on amazing breaching displays, getting ninety percent of their body out of the water.

Humpbacks whales can travel at about twenty kilometres per hour and dive for up to thirty minutes. Incredibly their echo location, songs and calls can be heard up to one thousand kilometres away.

Although Humpbacks whales are gentle and intelligent, males become quite aggressive when competing for females. Humpbacks whales annual migration takes them a distance of about twelve thousand kilometres each year.

Japanese whaling is their main threat and remains a volatile issue, Great White Sharks also feed on Humpbacks whales. During their migration humpbacks won't feed for months.

Humpback whale Gallery

All the pictures were taken on our wildlife tours.