Whale Watching Byron Bay

There was hardly any wind and the ocean was flat like a mirror. It felt like we were about to launch the boat in a lake. The water was crystal clear and you could easily see to the bottom. I was deckhand one of the two boats of the http://www.byronbaydivecentre.com.au/ going out for a whale watching trip.
Normally we cruise around the bay first to check for dolphins and talk about what to expect on this trip, but not this day.

As soon as we were clear of the surf I spotted the first whale. The distinctive arched back and short stubby dorsal fin of a Humpback whale. Two of them right in the middle of the bay. In between the beach and a Julian Rocks, a rock formation where sea birds nest and Grey Nurse sharks come to mate during winter.

We drove the boat a bit closer to get a better look. The whales weren’t as much into us as we were in them and they dove down deep only to appear a couple of hundred meters away from us. This went on for about an hour. We would spot whales and head over to get a better view them, but they all seemed to keep eluding us.

About 2 hours into the trip the whales became more active. Until that time they were probably taking it easy like us as the clear blue sky and the calm dark blue waters of the ocean had a soothing and relaxing effect on everything and everyone.

The sound of the slapping of the pectoral fins on the surface could be heard clearly, but no one seemed to be able to pin point where it was coming from. Another thud closer by this time and then we saw it. A tall almost 5 meter long white fin sticking up out of the water and coming down with incredible force. Right next to it a smaller fin ding the same. A calf copying her mom and practicing this form of communication that the Humpbacks use.

Out of nowhere about a hundred meters behind our boat a beautiful big whale decided to show off. It was a full breach with only her tail still submerged. The rest of her almost 15 meter long, 40 ton heavy body was completely out of the water. She came down with a big splash as we watched in awe of this amazing spectacle. She showed off her jumping skills a few more time before she decide it was time to move on. This was already an exceptionally good whale watching trip, but the best was yet to come.

After about 2,5 hours when we were almost ready to head back to shore two of these friendly giants showed up right next to the boat. We turned off the engines and bobbed around on the waves while we were treated to a truly once in a lifetime experience.
One was just hanging around and staying close to his friend and maybe potential mate. The other was turning on her back, showing her white belly, hanging upside down right next to boat. With the weather and water conditions being perfect we could easily see her underwater acrobatics.

Once every few minutes she would come up to check us out. She would swim straight up and stick her mouth out of the water almost to her eyes. This is called ‘spy hopping’. Humpback whales have incredible good eye sight and can see just as well under water as at the surface.

She would flap her tail so close to the boat that could feel could feel the splash on our faces. And it resulted in ear to ear smiles with everyone on board. The spectacle lasted for about twenty minutes. The whales were done playing with us or just lost interest in these weird looking small animals floating around in little red boats.
The captain, who has done hundreds of these whale watching trips, said it was the best one he had ever done and I felt extremely lucky and fortunate to have experienced it. Seeing these enormous, gentle and intelligent animals up close and personal was fantastic. It gave me a smile that lasted the rest of the day and comes back every time I think of this wonder of an encounter.