The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation says humpback whales have been spotted along the Ningaloo Coast.
Minister for the Environment, Amber-Jade Sanderson said visitors would have the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, while supporting tourism operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Humpback whales generally migrate through Exmouth and Coral Bay between July and October, and Western Australians can interact with them through licensed in-water tours,” Ms Sanderson said.
“Swimming with these incredible animals is a bucket list experience and the only place in Western Australia this can be done is with a licensed operator on the Ningaloo Coast.”
She said now was the perfect time to follow the Department of Tourism’s advice to Wander out Yonder and support tourism businesses affected by the pandemic.
Ms Sanderson said each year approximately 40,000 humpback whales migrated along the coast of Western Australia.
The Minister said visitors would also get the chance to spot other marine life along the Ningaloo Coast, including whale sharks, marine turtles, dolphins, dugong, rays and other sharks.
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. It is one of the larger rorqual species, with adults ranging in length from 12-to-16 metres and weighing around 25-to-30 tonnes.
“The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head,” Ms Sanderson said.
