Capturing some stunning images of the minkes recently was Blue Dive’s Jenny Cann, dive master on Port Douglas’ new liveaboard Blue Dive/Reef Connection, which offers overnight adventures to the outer Great Barrier Reef.
“People that choose an overnight liveaboard excursion get to experience a whole different world with not only diving during the day, but also at night and sunrise.
“It is during the sunrise diving that we are seeing a lot of minkes. They are naturallly curious and as we are the only boat out on the reef at this time, they are very happy to approach us and swim amongst the divers and snorkellers.
“Yesterday morning we were all held captivated as a number of minkes swam around us. We stayed under the water for 15 minutes just watching them and then when our air tanks began to run low, we swapped these for our snorkel equipment and continued to watch and swim with them.
“It was truly life changing and such an unforgettable experience, those who were part of it will take away some incredible memories.”
Ms Cann said while there was a great number of minke whales sightings at the moment, the larger humpback whales had already begun arriving.
“There is some crossover where the minkes are in the water at the same time as the humpback whales but it won’t be long before they move on and we see a lot more humpbacks arrive.”
Different to the minkes and not naturally as curious, Ms Cann said the humpback whales were also happy to come close to boats, and were known on occasion to give their belly’s a rub against these.
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Tara Bennett said swimming with the whales was just one of the many highlights of visiting the Great Barrier Reef.
“People travel from all around the world to experience this every year, but not only do they have the opportunity to see the ocean’s largest mammal they also get to experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef,” she said.
For more information on liveaboard dive experiences, visit wwww.bluedive.com.au
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