Humpback whale and calf breach just metres from Port Stephens paddlers
A mother humpback and playful calf breached repeatedly just metres from paddlers' canoes near Port Stephens on Saturday.
Port Stephens outrigger crews were training near Tomaree headland when a humpback whale and her energetic calf intercepted their two canoes. The calf launched itself out of the water almost a dozen times in an acrobatic display that lasted almost half an hour, its white belly and long pectoral fins on full display before it crashed down in spray.
The paddlers stopped to watch as the mother stayed calm near the surface, occasionally showing her fluke. Club coach Tony Compton said they have seen plenty of whales before but never this close.
October is peak migration season when humpbacks travel south from breeding grounds towards Antarctica. Mothers and calves hug the coastline to build the calf's strength for the Southern Ocean.
- Almost a dozen
- Breaches by calf
- Almost half an hour
- Display duration
- Six
- Paddlers per canoe
- 8am Saturday
- Departure time
Why it mattersA rare reminder of the scale and beauty of marine life in Australian waters during migration season.
AustraliaPort Stephens is one of the best spots on the east coast to see whale migration, with tens of thousands of whales expected to pass each year.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
