Minke Whales are back in town
The rear sundeck aboard HABA was the place to be on June 22nd just after lunch… where else would you get such a great view of the playful Minke whales that passed within two metres off the port side? With water boasting 20 metres of visibility, it was easy to follow the movements of these curious whales as they rolled onto their sides showing off their white bellies.
Diving and swimming with whales is a wish for nearly everyone exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Those lucky enough to get so close to these curious animals came out of the water overwhelmed with joy. Even though these whales were small, roughly 3.5 metres long, their presence sent a rush of excitement through guests and crew alike.
- The minke whales are the second smallest of the baleen whales
- Mature Minke whales can reach 10 metres on average
- Both males and females weigh 4 to 5 tons when they reach maturity but can reach a max of 14 tons
- Their bodies are typically black or dark grey on top and white underneath
- The max swimming speed has been estimated at 20 km/h
- Seasonal migration of dwarf Minke whales can be enjoyed during the months of June and July in the northern Great Barrier Reef
