whale sightings in Sydney 2011

During peak migration in June numbers looks much better then it was last year. Except one week, but it is not because was no whales. The sea was a little bit rough and some whale watching tours were canceled because of weather. I think everybody is expecting perfect whale watching season in October/November.

Whale sightings in Sydney, 2011 midseason update is a post from: Travel Tips

VIVID Sydney, 2011

It is possible to spend all nights in front of Sydney Opera House by watching projections as there is no the same projection during all duration of the festival.

From 8th of June 58th annual Sydney Film festival starts. Check screening schedule on their website. Festival runs until 19th of June.

And of course you can go for whale watching if it is good weather outside.

p.s. Above picture is part of Travel Photo Thursday.

What’s on in Sydney in June, 2011 is a post from: Travel Tips

It is quite long list. So which company to choose? It depends on you – do want only whale watching or something else too, like speed boat ride? Do you stay in the city or in Cronulla or Manly. You have variety options here.

My personal choice was – Bass and Flinders Cruises (btw above picture is taken from their website). They are longest period in this business and also participate in whales research program with Macquarie University, has shore based whale spotters which helps them faster to spot whales. In sea it looks like all other companies just follow their boats.

Also you can do whale watching from the shore too in case you think whale watching from boat is not for you. Find the best spots in Sydney here.

Whale watching in Sydney. Tour prices 2011 is a post from: Travel Tips

57th annual Sydney Film festival starts. Check screening schedule on their website.

17th Biennale of Sydney is still running in different venues around the city as whale watching season continues in Sydney.

What’s on in Sydney in June, 2010 is a post from: Travel Tips

Whale watching in Sydney. Season 2010 is open is a post from: Travel Tips

Whale watching in Sydney. Best time of the day is a post from: Travel Tips

Vivid Sydney 2010 – annual festival of light, music and ideas

Another festival is 17th Biennale of Sydney – Australia’s largest and most exciting international festival of contemporary art.
Also whale watching season start in Sydney.

What’s on in Sydney in May, 2010 is a post from: Travel Tips

whale sightings in sydney (by www.whalewatchingsydney.net)

So if you want to see whales in Sydney, probably it is better to wait till next July. Although if you feel very lucky you still can try whale watching in Sydney in November/December. Good luck!

Whale watching Sydney: 2009 season whale sightings update is a post from: Travel Tips

The full story and video about that is here.

Very nice, but also it is such rare visit and nobody know when Killer whales will visit again. Humpback whales are more predictable. On www.whalewatchingsydney.net website there is list with Humpback whales sightings, but I decided put numbers into more convenient form.

This is statistic for 3 and half year, but it is clear visible two peeks in the season. Especially these peaks were distinct last year. In June/July Humpback whales migrating North for breeding. From end of September until December they  are going back South. At this time of year females with new born calves usually are seen closer to shore. Can’t wait for the Spring then they gonna start coming back.

P.S. As Humpback whales are main attraction in this chart I didn’t include sightings of Pacific and Bottlenose dolphins, False Killer whales, Southern Right whales, Killer Whales (Orcas), Minke Whales

Whale watching in Sydney. What is best time is a post from: Travel Tips

(Southern hemisphere) winter and spring is whale watching season. Depending on time you can see Humpback whales going North to give birth and mate in the waters of the Coral Sea. Usually that happens from April to mid August. In spring Humpback whales are going back South to the Antarctic feeding ground for the southern hemisphere summer. The Southern Right Whales do not migrate North or South, they usually move along the coastline seeking places to mate and shelter with their newborn calfs. There are more different kind of whales you can see in Sydney, but are much rear then Humpback whales or Southern Right Whale.

If you are in Sydney during whale migration/mate season you probably will be considering go for whale watching tour. There is bunch of companies which organizing tours like Bass and Flinders Cruises, Sydney Ocean Adventures, True Blue Cruises, OZ Jet Boating and others. But during nice and calm days there are places where it is possible to see whales from the shore. Only thing you need – binoculars. Best and easy accessible places are North and South heads. As there are high cliffs out there and it makes very good place for observation. South Head is my preference, as there is trail along the coast and you can walk almost all way down to Bondi Beach which Southern Right Whales like to visit from time to time.

Besides whale watching from the shore is more ecologically friendly as still there is unknown how boats are affecting whales migration. Marine Mammal Research Group at Macquarie University currently working on a project assess the current whale watching guidelines in Sydney. Actually they have some volunteering positions if somebody interested to join them.

Above picture of Southern Right Whale was taken yesterday at South Head.

Whale watching in Sydney. Best places to see whales is a post from: Travel Tips