THE BEST TIME FOR WHALE WATCHING ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

Whale Watching from Crusader 1

The annual migration of the Humpback Whale is one of nature’s most amazing sights, and the Sunshine Coast is lucky to be a key destination on their route! Over the winter months, around 20,000 humpback whales undertake the 10,000km journey from the icey seas of Antarctica, to the warm tropical breeding grounds of sunny Queensland. The Sunshine Coast is quickly earning a reputation as one of Australia’s best whale watching destinations!

 

WHALE WATCHING TOURS

From late May, these giant visitors will begin to arrive in the Sunshine Coast’s waters, lured by the subtropical waters which make for a comfortable mating and birthing ground. Once the business is done, they’ll begin their journey back South from August to November, with their new babies in tow!

The best time for whale watching is during their mating season from July through to late October. This is when visitors to the Sunshine Coast will spot these magnificent creatures singing, fighting and performing acrobatics to the delight of whale watchers. Whilst some of this can be seen from the shore, nothing quite compares to getting up close to these animals on the sea.

Some tour operators commence whale watching trips as early as June, however Sunshine Coast Afloat prefers to wait a few weeks to ensure there are plenty of whales in our waters. This means you’ll spend less time whale seeking, and more time whale watching!

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

We are fortunate that the 2018 Term Two and Term Three school holidays land during the Sunshine Coast’s peak whale watching season. If the promise of golden beaches and sunny skies wasn’t enough to lure you to this piece of paradise, a whale watching experience with Sunshine Coast Afloat is guaranteed to be a holiday highlight for the entire family!

WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?

The Sunshine Coast has well earned its name, however Mother Nature isn’t always kind and has been known to lash us with occasional wild weather. The safety of our passengers is paramount, so from time to time, rough seas, high winds and heavy rain may result in tour cancellations. But don’t worry, unlike humans, the whales aren’t scared off by the rough seas. They’ll still be there tomorrow when the ocean is calm, and the sun is shining!

With the humpback whale’s population increasing each year, and more babies being born in the Queensland’s waters, there been an easier or more exciting time to go whale watching on the Sunshine Coast. Let Sunshine Coast Afloat take you on the experience of a lifetime!

For more information about our trips – head over to our website – www.sunshinecoastafloat.com.au

WHALE WATCHING SUNSHINE COAST

We are about to start our Whale Watching Season as we have been seeing them in larger numbers now and in rather close, about half an hour out.  The baby whales have been quite active.

We offer two types of Whale Watching: –

  • Fast, Fun Whale watching trips in our fully enclosed Jet Boat.   This is not a thrill ride but a way to get out to the whales fast and in a fun way.  You are also close to sea level watching them.
    • This is a 2 hour trip – $ 120.00 per person
  • Cruise in comfort while Whale Watching, have plenty of room to move around, guaranteed rail side viewing, all non-alcoholic drinks and food included.
    • This is a 3 hour trip – $ 99.00 per person

Being a small family owned and operated company we strive to give our guests the best experience we can.

With only 10 people on Hela-Va Jet and 23 on Crusader 1, you can get full viewing of the whales no matter where they are in relation to the boats.

Don’t miss out on this fabulous experience this season : –

  • Personal interaction with crew
  • Small passenger numbers
  • Access to all areas of vessel
  • Everything included in the price
  • Rail side viewing – ready for that photo moment

Call Paddy to book – 0412 155 814

HIGH SPEED WHALE WATCHING

Sunshine Coast Afloat was the first tour operator across our stunning region to offer “extreme” whale watching. Our custom-built, turbo-charged speed boat will take you screaming across the water at speeds of up to 40 knots, to the local sites where our biggest aquatic visitors come to play!

Humpback Whales

The Humpback whales are visiting our waters in record numbers. With more than 10,000 set to grace our shores this winter this tour will bring you closer to these magnificent creatures than any other. In fact, Hela-Va jet will have you sitting so low and close to the water, you’ll almost feel like you’re swimming with them (but don’t worry, you won’t even get wet!).

The Humpback Whales are playful creatures and often treat awe-struck whale watchers to an impressive display of acrobatics as they play with their calves. So it’s not all speed and action, we’ll slow to a crawl and spend time soaking in the experience of viewing these animals in their home environment. Dolphins also seem to be attracted to our speedy boat and often cruise along with us!

This tour aboard Hela-Va Jet is the perfect balance of adrenalin and whale watching. With some wild spins, drifting turns and throttle-stomping straightaways, this unique and exciting experience is one you’ll be talking about for many years to come!

Whale watching tours operate from July – October.

2021 Update –  Hela-Va Jet has since been sold but our large 55 ft vessel, Crusader 1 is a very enjoyable boat to be on when Whale Watching.  We only take 23 passengers and you have rail side viewing the whole time.

START PLANNING YOUR WHALE WATCHING EXPERIENCE

Queensland’s whale watching season has started for some and it is not that far away before we begin as well.

We have picked a date – 2nd July, 2018 so book your spot by call Paddy on 0412 155 814.

It is expected to be another massive year so we thought we would keep you informed and give you some interesting facts about these fascinating creatures.

With the massive increase in Humpback Whales each year now, we are expecting to have over 30,000 pass the Sunshine Coast this season.

To be able to get you up close and personal with these majestic animals is exhilarating.  We love to be able to share this experience with you.

Some Fascinating Facts about Humpback Whales are: –

  • The average weight is 45 tonnes which is about 1000 children together
  • An average length of 13 to 17 metres which is about 10 adults lying head to foot.
  • The average lifespan is between 45 – 50 years
  • Calves are fed daily over 400 litres of rich milk which is the consistency of condensed cream
  • Adult Whales can hold their breath under water for over half an hour
  • An expelled breath or ‘blow’ that reaches a speed of between 300 – 500 kilometres per hour as it exists through the blowhole.
  • The Humpback Whale has two blow holes, one for each lung. Each of its lungs is the size of a small car.
  • Humans identify different whales is by their tails. Each whale has different characteristics, just like our fingerprints!
  • The Humpback Whale has no teeth instead they have baleen plates, that acts like a giant sieve!
  • They also have little or no sense of smell or taste
  • They do have very sensitive skin that is easily sunburned
  • Remarkable eyes with strong muscles that change the shape of the lens so they can see in the air or underwater.
  • Their eye the size of a grapefruit
  • Incredible hearing ranging over many kilometres for navigation, communication and finding food
  • Calls or songs that travel hundreds of kilometres
  • Pectoral fins that are ten times longer than your arm
  • You identify Whales mainly by their tail flukes  but also dorsal fins and body markings
  • They have a Belly Button as well.
  • Humpback calves stay with their mothers for 11–12 months before becoming independent. During this time, the biggest threat they face is attack by killer whales or sharks.

 

SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES- THE GENTLE PLAYFUL GIANTS

The Southern Right Whales is another species you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of on the Sunshine Coast! This whale is the rarest of the four species you’ll find in Queensland’s waters and is currently considered endangered. The good news is, their population is on the rise meaning sightings are becoming more and more common! Here’s what to look out for on your whale watching tour.

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Adult Southern Right Whales range from 14-18 metres in length
  • These large animals weigh up to 80 tonnes – that’s the equivalent of 8 adult elephants
  • Their mating season is from June – August, which is when there’ll be the greatest chance of spotting on one the Sunshine Coast
  • Compared to other whale species, their heads is disproportionately large, making up roughly one third of the whale’s body.
  • Unlike other species, the southern right whale does not have a dorsal fin.
  • They have a dark greyish/black skin tone, with white patches on its throat and belly.
  • The exact lifespan of these animals is unknown, but it’s estimated to be between 50-100 years

BEHAVIOUR

  • Like the humpback and dwarf minke, the Southern Right Whales also primarily feed on krill, plankton and other tiny crustraceans.
  • Their migration patterns are similar to that of the humpback, spending their feeding season in the colder Antarctic waters, and migrating north up Queensland’s coast for mating and birthing.
  • These whales are skimmers and can be seen swimming at or near the surface of the water – this is great for whale watchers!
  • Southern Right whales are fairly active and can be found performing acrobatics in the water
  • They’re a very social species, and have been known to approach boats and vessels to observe them and the people.
  • But they’re also gentle giants, appearing to be thoughtful when interacting with humans and small animals by limiting their activity, to ensure they do not cause injury to others.
  • Unlike other species, male whales to not typically fight with one another or show jealousy when it comes to mating.

 

With as few as 12,000 Southern Right Whales spread through our oceans, they are the rarest of the whales you’ll likely spot in the Sunshine Coast’s waters. But, with their population on the rise and sightings becoming increasingly common, your chances of seeing these playful giants are better than ever before! Keep your eyes peeled  – they’ve even been known to swim as close in as the surf zone!

 

Nice Fishing & Weather Conditions – Finally

We finally had a full weekend of great fishing and weather conditions.

We did a “Mega Day” – 11 hour fishing trip on Saturday.  Not a trip we do often.  It was great to see a lot of our regulars on board and after the mid week flare up of weather, it gave for some good fishing out wide.

A great variety of fish on board ranging from a nice big Tusky, Tea Leaf Travalley, Wrasse, Moses Perch, Banana Fish and a beautiful Clown Fish which obviously went back.

Poor Zoe nearly had a fit when a Crested Tern, that is a bird for all you fisho’s, got tangled in Tony’s fishing line.  It was all hands on deck to save this poor little thing.  Zoe nurtured him to recovery, mind you I think he was happy nestled into Zoe’s chest while recovering but soon after releasing him a Booby bird tried to attack him but that soon sent him off.

Our usual Dolphin visit is always a bonus.

Sunday was a small 5 hour fishing charter – lovely conditions out on the water with a lot of Happy Moments coming up, more than we’ve seen in a long time.  A few (just) undersized Snapper were caught but a few of the passengers managed to hook a nice Grassy Sweet Lip and a good size Mowong.  Slightly frustrating as it was clear from the sounder information that the area was solid with good sized fish under the boat!

It was nice to see some women on board and Julie hooked up a nice Trigger Fish

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DEEP SEA FISHING CHARTERS

Winners of Trip Advisor 2017 Certificate of Excellence, Sunshine Coast Afloat is your number one pick for deep sea fishing charters on the Coast!

Sunshine Coast Afloat’s award winning Deep Sea Fishing Charters have a wide range of options to suit everyone. From first timers diving in to try their hand at fishing, to the experienced, avid fishermen!

Our tours range from half a day to overnight, and everything in between. Our shorter charters are ideal for the beginner looking to try their hand at a bit of fishing. A fun and enjoyable trip that offers a tantalising taste of what you’ll experience on longer trips.  This trip is far more focused on having a fun time offshore. There’ll also be plenty of amazing marine wildlife to observe!

The longer charters are perfect for the more experienced fishing enthusiasts seeking a true deep sea fishing adventure.  Wanting to chase that trophy fish! On these longer charters, we’re able to travel beyond where recreational boats feel comfortable, meaning less fishing pressure and with a little skill, more fish!

Fishing equipment and bait is included and all legal fish are yours to keep. They’ll be gutted and gilled for you by our crew.  Ready to throw straight on the BBQ when you get home. Our sunrise and sunset/evening charters all include snacks, fishing tackle, soft drinks and water.

With varying departure times, Sunshine Coast Afloat’s range of deep sea fishing charters are a fantastic way to get out on the water and have a great time on a lovely, large and safe vessel, regardless of your fishing ability! Our friendly and highly experienced crew will show you the ropes and take you on an award-winning adventure to remember!

 

KILLER WHALES ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

Orcas, commonly known as killer whales, are lured to the Sunshine Coast’s waters during the winter months thanks to the abundance of food on offer…with a favourite being the humpback and minke whales!

Orcas prey on these whales, and with thousands likely to visit our shores from May – November, it’s highly likely there’ll be some orca pods lurking in the background!

Here are some facts about these fascinating creatures to help you spot one on your whale watching tour.

CHARACTERISTCS

  • Orcas are black and white, with a white eye patch
  • They can weigh up to 6 tonnes, and range from 23 to 30 feet in length
  • Their average lifespan is 50 to 80 years
  • They have a diverse diet, feeding on fish, marine animals and even other whales
  • Lucky for them however, there is no other animal that preys on them!
  • They are a toothed whale
  • Orcas can be found in each of the world’s oceans and in a variety of marine environments

BEHAVIOUR

  • They’re extremely intelligent and highly social animals
  • They hunt in pods – family groups of up to 40 individuals
  • Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviours are often specific to particular groups and passed across generations
  • Contrary to popular belief, wild killer whales are actually not considered a threat to humans – they’ve only ever been aggressive towards humans whilst kept in captivity!
  • Unlike most other species of whales, Orca whales do not appear to follow a regular migration route each year, instead driven by the availability of food
  • Orcas are not actually whales, but in fact the largest of the dolphins!

With more humpback whales to feed on, it’s highly likely there’ll be more orca pods in the Sunshine Coast’s waters this winter! Another reason to book your whale watching tour with Sunshine Coast Afloat, to view all these wondrous animals at play!

 

Sunshine Coast Pelagic Bird Watching Tour, June 3, 2018

Sunshine Coast Pelagic Bird Watching Tour, June 3, 2018

Shy Albatross
With fresh memories of a rocky ride on our May 2018 pelagic a week ago, fingers were crossed for a smoother run as we departed Mooloolaba Marina at 6.55am on Sunday June 3 with a brisk 10-knot SW breeze blowing. The wind picked up as we headed out but it was behind us so the trip was relatively comfortable. We encountered a smattering of Crested Terns and Australasian Gannets and two fly-by Hutton’s Shearwaters before spotting two Humpback Whales – the first of the season.
Humpback Whales
We were 19 nautical miles offshore in 60 metres when we spotted a Fairy Prion and the first Grey-faced Petrel of the day. Then we picked up a Shy Albatross in 115m 25 nautical miles offshore sitting on the water behind a trawler whose crew were cleaning its catch from the night before. This was the first record of the species for a Sunshine Coast pelagic and the bird was of the race cauta, a scarce visitor to south-east Queensland.
Shy Albatross
Shy Albatross
We began laying a berley trail on the edge of the continental shelf 32 nautical miles offshore in 350 metres (S26.3.1; E 153.43.4) at 9.55am. By this time we had a steady S-SW wind of 15-20 knots and a hefty swell of 2-3 metres which remained the order of the day. We soon had Providence Petrels and Wilson’s Storm-Petrels coming to the slick and quite a few of both were about the boat while we out wide.
Providence Petrel
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
It wasn’t long before an Antarctic Prion made an appearance and we had this species come and go several times while we were on the shelf.
Antarctic Prion
Antarctic Prion
A Grey-faced Petrel was looking good as it approached the boat – the second sighting of this species for a Sunshine Coast pelagic following last week’s first. Satellite tracking of Grey-faced Petrel suggests it does not stray north of Brisbane (it is seen regularly on the Southport pelagics) and today is likely the most northerly Australian record of the species.
Grey-faced Petrel
Grey-faced Petrel
We’d been floating for a couple of hours before a Black-bellied Storm-Petrel showed up, with one or two birds about for the next hour before we turned around to head back at 1.15pm. We had drifted 4.7 nautical miles in a north-westerly direction to 150 metres.
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel

On the way back we had a flock of Hutton’s Shearwaters with 2 Fluttering Shearwaters among them; the image here was the best I could manage of the latter. We arrived back at the marina at 4.05pm. Elist.

Fluttering Shearwater

PARTICIPANTS:

Greg Roberts (organiser), Toby Imhoff (skipper), Zoe Williams (deckhand),
Eric Anderson, Margie Baker, Tony Baker, Warren Bennett, Jane Cooksley, Ken Cross, Phil Cross, Rick Franks, Richard Fuller, Malcolm Graham, Geoff Glare, John Gunning, Nikolas Haass, Bob James, James Martin, Paul Marty, Steven Pratt, Allan Pratt, Liam Pratt, Trevor Ross, Esme Ross, Raja Stephenson.
SPECIES: Total (Maximum at one time)
Shy Albatross 1
Grey-faced Petrel 1
Providence Petrel 60 (8)
Fairy Prion 1
Antarctic Prion 6 (2)
Hutton’s Shearwater 15 (12)

Fluttering Shearwater 2 (2)
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel 2 (1)

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel 30 (5)
Australasian Gannet 30 (6)
Silver Gull 4 (4)
Crested Tern 80 (30)
Humpback Whale 2 (2)
Originally posted by Greg Roberts at 10:09 Here

SUNSHINE COAST’S WHALE HIGHWAY

We have seen our first whales for the season this weekend!

We were out on the water on Saturday for over 10 hours and saw ONE whale and again on Sunday and saw TWO whales.

2 early Humpback whales spotted off the Sunshine Coast near the Barwon Banks on the 3rd June 2018.

We’re getting excited as we all know that the humpback whales are on their way, and we are gearing up for a bumper season.

At this stage we will start our whale season on July 1st, but if we see them appearing in volume beforehand we will let you know.

Why wait till July? Mainly because we really want to be whale watching, not “whale searching“!

It is a big ocean out there and with small numbers of whales it can often be difficult if not impossible to find them within the time allocation for a whale trip. Our aim is to give our guests an experience they can remember forever. Sailing about looking for whales may be memorable, but not for the right reasons!

If you a looking for an “intimate”, almost private whale watching trip, with lots of interaction and everything included – we offer two options.

  • Crusader 1 –  takes a maximum of 23 passengers – 3 hours
  • Hela-Va Jet –  takes a maximum of 10 passengers – 2 hours

Both trips guarantee you a rail side position with uninterrupted views of these amazing animals. And with an estimated 30,000+ humpback whales expected to migrate from Antartica along the Queensland coastline this year (a far cry from near-extinction caused by whaling not that long ago) numbers are increasing by between 10 and 15% year on year. These increases in numbers are becoming very much more noticeable each year now.

The journey from south to north is one of the longest migrations in the world and we would love to share this magical experience with you.

It was always believed that the whales gave birth once they were well up north in calm protected waters.  We are now seeing more whales having their babies along the way.  The question now is, how far up the coast will they travel with their calf before heading back.

This year we are excited to have “Humpbacks & High Rises” whale research on board to try and find out more about these magnificent creatures.

Generally speaking, over the last years, the absolute best time for whale watching has been  August through October.

Get in early and book your seat on Crusader 1 or Hela-Va Jet.

 

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