Up there with the best of them is the opportunity to observe two of the oceans most magnificent creatures, whales and dolphins, in their natural habitat. Humpback whales are gentle and curious by nature, and will often approach us for a bit of people watching. The busy school holidays are over and the weather is starting to warm up. Instead of teeth, they have an elastic horny substance baleen in the upper jaw. During their migration season, humpbacks make their way from antartica to the warmer waters off queensland and return with their young calves. Because edens twofold bay is the thirddeepest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere, it hosts an abundance of humpback, southern right and killer whales throughout the season. Welcome to winter in byron bay, the prime time for whale watching in byron bay. Cape byron broken head lennox point ballina lighthouse car park. Byron bay whale watching facts about the humpack whale the humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae is a species of baleen whale. May to november is the season to get up close and personal with whales as they migrate past the most easterly point of the australian mainland byron bay. In western australia, the south coast is the best place for spotting whales. Where to go whale watching in ballina and byron bay. Whale and dolphin watching at byron bay, australia.
Top spots for whale watching in australia tourism australia. Hotel transfers arent included in the price so passengers are required to make their own way to and from the docking point. At the 2016 census, the town had a permanent population of 9,246. Wild byron whale watching conduct daily whale watching tours between june and october. In the excitement of the whale season beginning, we reflect on byrons history of whaling and whale watching. Get on board for an unforgettable ocean experience with the humpback whales of byron bay. It is highly likely that we will encounter several whales each tour and also other. If you happen to visit ballina or byron bay this winter or spring, watching migrating whales is a must. Whales were hunted for their blubber which was melted down processed to be used as oil for lamp fuel, perfumes, soap and medicine.
Subscribe to naturescapes for the latest news from nsw national parks and wildlife service. Plan your next coastal adventure to byron bay to experience the whales enjoying their natural playground. Experience the thrill of seeing humpback whales breach and witness the curiosity and playfulness. Humpback whales and southern right whales frolic in augustas picturesque flinders bay in the margaret river wine region from early june, and then watch rare blue whales and their calves join bottlenose dolphins in geographe bay in dunsborough in september. Humpback whales around byron bay, queensland, australia. This vessel was designed for whale watching and provides a 360degree viewpoint. Byron bay, once a whale hunting ground in the 1950s and 60s is now one of the best places on the east coast of australia to view majestic humpback whales. Byron bay whale swim swim with humpback whales in byron bay. Byron bay whale watching 9 marvell street, byron bay, new south wales 2481 rated 4. Each year between june and november thousands of humpback whales travel past byron bay. With cape byron being the most easterly point on the australian mainland, the migrating whales are closest to the shore at byron bay,which makes it an ideal spot for whale watching from the shore, especially up on cape byron reserve, by byron bay lighthouse with its high elevation making it a great vantage point from which to view the whales. In june you can see the whales heading north to begin breeding and then we see them come back through with their baby whales around august. Byron bay is one of those rare places on earth where you come for a visit and never, ever want to leave.
While byron bay was known as a whaling town from 1954 to 1962, where a total of 1146 humpbacks and two sei whales had been slaughtered, it is now regarded as one of. The beautiful byron bay lighthouse is located at the most easterly headland point in australia. October is also whale watch season and you will be able to spot mothers and their calves as they travel south back to antarctica. Byron bay is also a popular spot to watch migrating humpback whales in may and june, when they head north to warmer waters to breed, and also when they. Its a mustdo attraction on anyones holiday to byron bay, so if your timing is during migration season, make sure youre not only admiring the gorgeous views but keeping a watchful eye. Our byron bay big day out tour takes you to some of the best vantage points for fantastic viewing, including the byron bay lighthouse, where you are also rewarded with incredible district. Whale watching in nsw nsw environment, energy and science. Come and enjoy an intimate encounter with their majestic humpback whales from the comfort of their 8. Welcome to blue bay whale watching, byron bays most popular whale watching tours.
The byron bay whale watching season starts in mid june. The byron bay whaling station operated from 1954 to 1962. During this time 1,146 whales were processed producing 10,000 tons of oil. Best lookouts for whale watching in byron bay east on byron.
Whale and dolphin experiences in byron bay november. Were at the most easterly point of australia spotting whales from the famous light tower at byron bay. Get up close to byron bays most majestic animals with an incredible trip on the water. The whale season in australia runs from june to november, and the. The stretch of coastline found between byron bay and ballina is not only home to spectacular golden beaches and sparkling waters, but also many great places from which to spot. Head out on a whale watching tour like no other where youll spot whales, dolphins and turtles on underwater viewing devices and listen to epic whale song on a hydrophone. Spend your time spotting humpback whales off cape byron as they make their annual migration north along their mammoth 10,000kilometre journey. These days the cape is the best land based whale watching platform in the southern hemisphere. Eden has a long history with whales and the town boasts a killer whale museum they sound a siren from the museum when whales are sighted and a killer whale. Whale watching byron bay conduct tours every day during the whale watching season juneoctober. Some of the best whale watching spots can be found in our national parks all along the nsw coast, stretching from byron bay in the north to eden in the south. Visit byron bay, one of australias most popular whale watching locations.
An australian phenomena, known as schoolies week, sees byron bay crowded with many graduating high school students who flock to byron for two weeks during late november and early december. How appropriate then, that byron bay also gets credited with these properties and is such an awesome place to view the majesty of our ocean going friends. The whale season in byron bay starts in the australian winter when humpback whales pass the australian coast on their annual migrations between may and november. See amazing footage of whales and dolphins breaching the surface. October is spring in australia and a great time to visit byron bay. All along australias coastline are fantastic spots to see whales. Given the opportunity, we are able to swim with these giant majestic animals and experience them in their ocean element. Whale watching byron bay out of the blue adventures. Cape byron lighthouse sits on the most easterly spot in australia, so naturally this location is easily the best place in byron bay to watch for whales. Explore julian rocks and the areas unique marine life, and learn about local aboriginal history. Best time for whale watching in australia about australia.
Consider whale watching in byron bay with out of the blue adventures. From june, byron bay becomes the capital of humpback whale spotting. Be amazed by the breathtaking panoramas of the entire bay. Get set for an amazing, naturefilled adventure as you witness the incredible sight of whales breaching off the coast of northern nsw. It wasnt all that long ago that whales were hunted and killed in the waters around cape byron. The byron bay region, on the north coast of nsw, is one of the best places in the world to observe the yearly migration of humpback whales. With 360 views, youll have a hard time missing the whales breach as they make their journey past. Some of the cruises will also provide hydrophones to let you tune into the mournful, curiously repetitive whales song. Whale watching in australia is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity along various coasts. Whaling in australia took place from 1788 to 1978 and was once commercially successful. Our custombuilt ecovessel is the only dry and comfortable whale watching boat in the cape byron marine park. Byron bay is the most easterly point of australia, hence being one of the best vantage points to see the majestic animals as they migrate along the coastline.
Byron bay is a beachside town located in the farnortheastern corner of the state of new south wales, australia it is located 772 kilometres 480 mi north of sydney and 165 kilometres 103 mi south of brisbane. Byron bay area whale watching the byron bay region, on the north coast of nsw, is one of the best places in the world to observe the yearly migration of humpback whales. Byron bay lighthouse byron bay lighthouse image via. Whale watching byron bay will take you right up to the humpback whales with the amazing byron bay landscape as a backdrop. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, filmed the sequence on his iphone. During the whale migration season in byron bay, thousands of humpback whales pass by byron bay where you can spot them travelling with their young. The official whaling season each year was from the beginning of may until the end of october. Tours depart every day during the whale watching season junenovember, simply choose from the three available daily session times 8am, 10. The first migrating humpback whales can possibly be sighted in may, but we dont start whale watching until there are enough whales around to ensure that you will have a quality trip.
Whether youre a swimmer and ready for the once in a lifetime experience of swimming with whales, or if youd rather keep your feet on the ground and see whales frolic in the ocean from the beach or a cruise, theres a spot in australia perfect for your style of whale watching. Southern right and humpback whales are baleen or whalebone whales. Byron bay weather best time to visit byron bay when to go. As well as whale watching, there are plenty of other activities to experience in our coastal national parks, from bushwalking and photography, to discovery tours and spotting a wealth of.
There are lots of landbased vantage points at byron or perhaps a whalewatching cruise with blue bay whale watching, byron bay eco charter or whale watching byron bay is more your thing. Cape byron, a headland adjacent to the town, is the easternmost point of mainland australia. Cape byron kayaks have been operating sea kayak tours for the past 22 years and every year the anticipation of whale season is almost too much to bear as there is no other experience quite as. If you happen to find yourself holidaying at byron bay between the months of may and november, you will likely spot some of the whales that make their way along the east coast of australia during their annual migration.
Photos from the 1950s show crowds of bystanders watching whales hauled up on the jetty. Like now, going to byron to see whales was a popular outing. Being the most easterly point in australia, the whales tend to come very close to shore. Located in ballina, our boarding zone, we offer first class byron bay whale watching tours and river cruises aboard our stateoftheart eco vessel. During the whale migration season in byron bay, thousands of humpback whales pass by byron bay where you can spot them. The whale season is one of natures most spectacular sights and nsw coastal national parks are the ideal place to catch the action. During the whale season it is easy to spot whales from the beaches and headlands in the cape byron state conservation area. Whaling became one of australias first primary industries in the 1800s.
Passengers meet at whale watching byron bays base located at 9 marvell st byron bay pre booking essential. Almost 60% of the worlds cetaceans are to be found in australian waters. Watch them pass by from may to november from the most easterly point of the state, byron bay, and other coastal towns in the region, like brunswick heads, lennox head and ballina. Five or six killer whales were working together about a mile east of byron bay, he said. A commercial fisherman has spoken of watching killer whales attack a whale just off the coast of byron bay. Another man tells me of his first visit to byron back then. The waters in this part of australia are frequented by humpbacks, killer whales, and southern right whales. Whale watching byron bay conduct tours every day during the whale watching season junenovember.
Stay a few days at one of the national parks accommodation options and be sure to head to the historic cape byron lighthouse, where you can learn more about whales, grab a coffee and enjoy breathtaking views or wander. If you would like the chance to get even closer there are many whale watching tours that help you get a closer look of these beautiful animals. Our trips are intimate and personalised with a maximum of 12 customers per tour. Blue bay whale watching, the only dry and comfortable whale watching tours in byron bay brunswick heads. When it is summer on the southern hemisphere, humpback whales stay in their feeding grounds in antarctic waters. We are so confident in the quality of our trips and the experience of our crew and whale spotter that we are happy to give you a full money back. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 1216 metres 3952 ft and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms 79,000 lb. Download our free app to find the top whale watching spots in nsw and submit your sighting. Humpback whales, dolphins, turtles and a variety of amazing sea birds await you on a tour with whale watching byron bay, byron bays. Whale season begins in early june and continues right through until october. The largest whale caught at byron bay was a female 15.
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