The whisper past from boat to boat, the word on everyones lips was ‘Nyala’, setting all the captains and crew alight. The whispers passed on ‘Nyala’ had been spotted in the bay. The enchanting tale of Nyala first spotted and photographed in Cairns in 1987 she was then spotted in Hervey Bay in 1992 and has been annually returning to the bay ever since. Nyala a fully grow female about 16m in length and about 45 tonnes, a friendly humpback well recognised and associated by her well pictured tail fluke.  How to spot Nyala simple, just scan the surface for a tail as if she is doing a handstand  tail up slowly bobbing above the surface. We boarded our passsengers itching to depart, both Captain and crew itching for a glimse of the famous whale. Nyala on average gives birth 2 seasons in a row then takes a one year break and returns with a calf like clockwork the following year. Nyalas’ regular break was last year but she had not been spotted with a calf!  We cruised out, the whales once again choosing far off areas of playtapus bay. We cruised on informing passengers of the special whale we hoped to seek. After a lengthly cruise we saw her, tail up the behaviour recognisable from quite a distance, she had boats around and crew with hearts full there was Nyala. We saw a blow ahead and came upon a pod of 2 we also saw more blows to the right. With all the boats captured by Nyala we got lucky and curiosity got the better of the whales ahead, they came for a glance, next 4 whales surrounded the boat , one rolling belly upgiving us a wave and a mind stiring glance of its glowing white belly. After a magical encounter we could see Nyalas’ tail hovering above the dark sea, dolphins dorsals cutting the surface around her, we couldn’t resist but to have her for a moment to ourselves. The beautiful Nyala her sheer size moving you to silence, she was surrounded by 3 sub-adult  whales circling her in a protective bubble, Nyala showing her associated tail up to all happy enough to see it. One subby with a unique (for Southerns) darker belly  doing the occassional spyhop, keeping tabs on all in the vicinity, another circling her all appeared to be creating a protective barrier, Nyala showing how large she is….could she be expecting????? We remained with Nyala for an hour all encaptured with her beauty and size, crew discussing with excitement the possibility of a potential offspring. Whale season in full swing and blessed by Nyala we headed home.

Another day another dollar, not the logic I ever associate with the boat. We left from Urangan and with flat seas and a slightly overcast sky we headed towards Platypus Bay. We ended up cruising for quite a while and we reminded customers that patience is the key to happy whale watching. We came across a school of dolphins the mothers (2) training their little calves how to feed. The dolphins dorsals swiftly breaking the surface before before becoming enveloped by the sea again. We cruised on and came upon our first pod a brief encounter but with still calm water the sub-adults, one on its side, swam along the side and around the bow before heading off in a North direction. After stumbling upon a few more pods we were blessed with a single subby, the whale thriving for attention, spyhopping so close to the boat that customers were finger tips away. The singleton emphasizing their curious nature. The subby remained around the boat for a while before taking a deep dive and cruising in a specific direction, after a few blinks 1…2……3 blows! The 3 whales playing and socializing under the surface displaying themselves to each other, jolly customers and crew observing with a cheerful gaze.  Then with a change of the wind the whales changed their point of focus and three whales 1 large female, 1 small male and another and then the spyhopping chaois began. Never have I seen so many spyhops in one encounter, the whales in serious curiousity mode, mouth so far out of the water that the calming tide barely covered a pecfin, eyes wide open and taking all the detail it could. The 3 covered all areas of the boat spyhopping every time. Crew mesmirized, customers overwhelmed after an hour we had to leave, the whales  not wanting us to leave  followed as we slowly backed away appearing spyhopping at our side and luring us in for a longer encounter. We happily obliged and remained till we began running very very late! We tried to depart again thanking the whales for their romantic interaction. Having backed away the whales maintained their spyhopping bonanza. Crew and customers watching for every second of the final glimse.

Today began like most other days, clear blue sky, slight cool southern wind, we cruised along the beautiful Fraiser coast with flat luminous water lapping on the sandy beach. We headed out on our daily whale watch adventure….no sooner than we began to head out wide the wind picked up the shining sun decieving  us with its radiant glow……crew and customers wrapped up from the cold southern wind. We came across our first whale, we had a glance the whale spending most of its time submerged, we cruised on.  Another pod of whales appeared after a few km of travel, they placed an occassional glance in our direction but travel, speed and behaviour told us that they were on a mission.  So with the whales caught in their own water bubble we took a gamble and headed further up the bay…..alot further…….after a lenghtly cruise, wind picking up , waves competing for glory we saw some splashes. PLAYTIME for kids! Two young whales having a ball in the bubbly sea, one subby rolling in the swell on every turn showing its beautiful pleated belly and pec slapping to turn, the entertaining young whale continuing this activity following the swell and the current turn and slap , turn and slap. The whale beside cruising along occassionally joining in the fun. After 15+ mins tail up, Captain and crew secretly whispering breach and low and behold BREACH, straight out of the turbulent water and creating foaming splashes on its return. Customers clinging to the rails in the bellowing sea smiling at my dictation “always worth the wait!”. We had a few more breaches followed by more pec slaps the subbys curious of this big whilte vessel with people cheering their funtime. The whales  came in for a brief look turning in the sea and pec slapping till just off the bow  then rolling right up and having a glance, spyhops from a distance not satisfying curiousity! We remained till the whales calmed and the swell picked up, we headed inshore only to be met by friendly bottlenose dolphins, one with a new arrival to show off. Crew and customers running around the boat to get a look at the tiny calf. The dolphins remained for a while the glowing sun providing us with a clear view of all below the surface. Eventually we carried on home, everyday something new!

And another spectacular show from the whales yesterday. Lots of pods in the bay starting at Coongal point where our whales spotting day began to right up near West Roonies, whales all in different modes of motion and display. The pods off coongal cruising along, occasional glance in our direction the pods further up creating that unbelievable breathtaking feeling of being surrounded by Southern Humpbacked whales. We seemed to be fortunate enough to witness an array of different behaviours through our day from sleepy whales to curious whales to two young sub-adults tossing and turning, bending and flipping while attempting to following two dainty Indo- Pacific bottlenose dolphins. We then had a of 2 (unusual normally 3+) carryout behaviours that are associated with chase pods. One large whale and one smaller one, the whales being defiant of their gentle manerisms and forcefully head lunging and peducle throwing on each other. Incredible behaviours to witness and ahhhh…………………….ouch………………….uhh……………… from passengers and crew. Whales occassionally holding a seize fire and confusing us with gentle pec slaps, tail ups and a curious spy hop. When action died down we could move position the boat to see the sub-adults playfully ride some waves with the happy to entertain Indo pacific dolphins. Never a dull moment or a day the same!

Been a chaotic week been so busy I haven’t had a moment to write. Feel something is in the water just now a luminescent glow that seems to be following and touching everyone who departs from Kasey Lee. The whales this past week have being daily givers of attention and displays.

Even on days I have not been on the boat crew have bounced off practically skipping home to regurgitate their magical whale moments. Today we began our ecocruise by spotting a solitary green turtle happily bobbing on the surface this was followed by a devious looking dingo following the boat along the lush fraser coast and then the breathtaking hours that unfolded had crew and passengers beaming with glee.

Halfway through the cruise I couldn’t resist turning to a lovely lady onboard and state’ that there wasn’t many jobs in the world where one would get an ache in their cheeks from smiling so much!’. Today like every day this week contained its own magical spell, the sea pumping from slight wind and current and the sun gleaming down creating a mist of sparkles, the whales, as if they could feel the good energy and vivacious crowd.

From the moment we hit the arches on fraser coast we could spot blows in all directions, this season so far the best of many. The first two sub-adults were resting, the second came into have a look and even though it was a short but sweet encounter they seemed to touch the crowd. We cruised on KASEY bellowing in the slight swell and we saw pod after pod every pod with their own special treat from pec slaps to head lunges  to the most perfect breach….if I had a score card I would of proudly held up a 10!  Face beaming and that illuminescent glow catching from person to person the phenomenal grand finale…..4 whales….4……..like ballerinas in a show gliding around the boat twisting and turning, overtaking each other , belly up , belly down, fluke up, fluke down an elegant unrehersed caberet.

The one thing that always catches my breath those captivating gentle eyes glazing over the boat, crew and customers forever wondering the thoughts in those eyes. The whales remained with the boat, could see breaches and pec slaps in the distance (250m) and another 4 whales started to head our way. The only battle on board was which direction to look to captivate every second and every motion. It was like a majestical battle, 4 whales surfacing on the left one large female 3 younger sub-adults all a breath away, the 4 others heading in at our right splashing to catch out attention. The whales by passed but retained their active displays the customers divided into to alternating groups, one in awe of the sheer size and closeness of four whales the other mesmerized by the acrobatic displays of the other pod. As always we were running out of time and to our disappointment we had to say a tearful goodbye to the whales, they followed the boat for a few meters willing us to stay. We cruised on calm waters home a hum of emotions held within the boat we slowed down and had a look in on two more pods everyone rushing outside to get a final glimse…….another day in paradise.

The IFAW have developed a project to aid the protest to the Australian government to stop Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary. 551 whales were killed in 2008 so to show support for anti-whaling and gather material for their advertising campaign the IFAW encouraged people to submit a photo of them doing the ´whale tail´ pose. To date 553 people have submitted there photos. Check it out at www.project551.org.

For the first time ever I was unable to speak for over 1/2 an hour, I have never been so overwhelmed and touched by the whales as I have been today. We came upon three sub-adults one with a very distinctive dorsal, the whales instantly curious about Kasey Lee and all on aboard. What followed makes my heart jump as I visualize it back, we had our engines off for two hours and for a precious 1 1/2 hours we had a powerful experience, three whales began coming up to the boat, so close you could step of the back and place a gentle foot on the centre of a solid huge black back and feel like you could be part of the whale rider movie…. these whales the most trusting and content that I have ever seen. The whales remained around the boat resting at the surface inches away from waving hands, gasps and awe was all that could be heard, the whales loving the attention and the reaction of everyone as they drenched us from blowing bubbles and the power of their blow. After 40 mins one of the whales departed but the other two remained I have many moments of eye contact but never as what I have seen today, to meet the whales glance as it slowly and elegantly glided gives you goose bumps, a spiritual moment that anyone lucky enough to experience treasures in the places that lifetime memories remain. The whales a true gift and a reminder of why we should work to protect them. The whales remained covering all areas around the boat and slowing showing everyone everything from the tiny fine hairs on the tubercleus to the barnacles hanging from their glowing skin, customers were speechless. Eventually I found my voice and avoided the mike so not to disrupt the whales over my shoulder and began spilling out every bit of information I could recall, never have people been educated with such a majestic tool! Eventually the whales turned but not before I had a moment, just the whale and I, as I thanked it for their attention I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye and I was reminded of my determination and passion to work in conservation and education for the marine environment. The whales moved of the bow and as the hydrophone was placed in the water we attentively listened to the whales communicating and turning in the direction of another whale (possibly the one from earlier). We ventured off all high on life and emotions to be finally met with 20+ bottlenose dolphins porpoising in the fading sunlight. A beautiful day forever in my heart and memories.

Thank you crew, passengers and above all THANK YOU WHALES, I am grateful forever.

xx Clodagh,

Marine biologist aboard the Kasey Lee. 4th August 2008. xxxxxxxx

Today we had three curious majestic whales, the whales spyhopping to get a good look at the crew and passengers aboard the Kasey Lee through a sparkling sun drenched sea. Both crew and customers touched at the magic of these moments and with awe and appreciation for these amazing mammals. AFter an hour of unbelievable moments and the full attention of these sub-adults we turned Kasey on and began heading home, after 20 min journey we spotted blows ahead and two beautiful sub-adults beelined for Kasey….. once again crew and customers were blown away by the eye contact and the closeness of these whales. We eventually tore ourselves away due to running late…again and headed for Urangan and just to complete the day we had dolphins riding the bow. Was beautiful to see so many smily faces (including crew) as we said goodbye to our charming customers.

WOW,

myself , crew and customers were all blown away with the extreemly warm welcoming the whales gave us today. To start the day off we came across a single sub adult not far into platapus bay, stopped to say a quick hello, the young fella hung around us for a ten minutes. Next pod were another 6 nm further up the bay when we found them (pod of 2) they were truly inquisitve and giving us about 1 hour of loving right alongside the boat, having shut the engines down we enjoyed the interaction in peace and quite, first time whale watches were going crazy with exitment, and us crew couldnt control ourselfs either, no matter how many times we see these amazing animals we still find these experiances extreemly moving.

On the way back home we watched a pod of adult and juvinile dolphins playing in the wind chop, then to be greeted by yet again another pod of very friendly whales.

once leaving them and continuing our run home we saw a dingo on the beach at fraser island, just near the fraser dawn barge landing, he was very curious and came right down to the waters edge.

How lucky are we!!

After the crazy weather the whales have started to come into the bay for shelter. The crew are enjoying meeting all the new and old customers. Saw a curious sub-adult today, came close to the boat for a good look at everyone onboard. The bay brightening up and crew eager and keen and full of energy for the whale season.  The whales will start coming into the bay in more numbers over the coming days/weeks and the magic begins every day as we depart.  Fluffy is gone to circumnavigate Tassy, on board chef rach is soon to be departing to Darwin for a brief vacation, Mel is appreciating the kindness of locals and the Irish one is flamed haired and doing a gig and Captain Dickie is just cruising ( and missing his misses).