Weekly Update from the Boat

The 2010 Season is in full swing with an abundance of sightings from Spirit of Gold Coast.

Week ending 8th of August, 2010  

Our week started off with not much activity from the whales, a lot of sleeping and resting going on. In the middle of the week we were excited to experience two days in a row new born calves with their mothers. With one of the pods swimming close to the back of the boat for an up-close encounter.

This calf would not have been any older than 1 - 2 days as it was still a chalky white colour and was only blowing bubbles as it couldn't produce a full blow yet.  

Week ending 1st of August, 2010  

During the past week we have had some very different experiences Whale Watching off the Gold Coast.

After weather improved last Thursday, we witnessed a female Humpback being pursued by four male Humpbacks. They were preforming classic courtship manoeuvres, tight turns, slightly aggressive positioning, travelling at speed in different directions and some terrific Tail Slaps. As seen on Channel 9 Gold Coast News.

Friday the guests on the cruise were fortunate to see three different Mothers & Calves making their way up the coast. One in particular looked only a day old, very light in colour and very small. Not all Calves are born in Qld, many are born during the migration North.

Week ending 25th of July, 2010  

Plenty of pods have been sighted this week. On one particular day the whales seem to know they had an audience, as the put on a show for Spirit of Gold Coast passengers and crew alike. There were a lot of breaching, tail slapping and pec slapping, there was a few bottlenose dolphins who seemed to join in with the activity.

On another day our a mother and calf were sighted 

Week ending 18th of July, 2010  

Good numbers of Humpback Whales are being seen daily, so it's a great time to join us on a Whale Watch.

During the week we also had to many Dolphin encounters to count, both common Dolphins and Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins. There has also been sightings of loggerhead Turtles, 2 Sharks and many Seabirds, including a visiting Wandering Albatross.

Week ending 11th of July, 2010  

This week started off with perfect weather and perfect whales. Each day we were sighting at least three separate pods. With a lot of courtship behaviour happening amongst the gentle giants.

On one day in particular they put on a great show with whales breaching and  close encounters with our vessel swimming underneath the boat. 

By the end of the week the weather was not on our side with strong winds forcing us to cancel a few days.

Week ending 4th of July, 2010  

Another exciting week on board Spirit, Our week started off with spotting out first calf of the season, off South Stradbroke Island.

Superstar Migaloo (the White Whale) past through at night and was spotted off Frazier Island on Wednesday the 30th of June 2010.



Week ending 27th of June, 2010  

We have been spoilt with numerous amounts of pods each day ranging between 3-6 miles offshore, with alot of courtship behaviour as they have migrated to our warmer water for mating/calving purposes.

Including 1 pod of 5 whales breaching, head lunging, tail slapping in pursuit of a female, swimming straight under our boat and covering our guests in whale snot. Something our guests and crew will remember for a long time.