Humpback Whale

The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual and is the only species in the genus Megaptera. Adults range in length from 15 – 16 m (Female, Adult), 13 – 14 m (Male, Adult) and weigh up to 40 metric tons and can live up to 45-50 years. The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and tubercles on its head. Population is increasing since the ceasing of whale hunting in the pacific.

Whale watching from the Town of 1770

There are no specific whale watching tours departing from the Town of 1770, however if you join our full day tour to Lady Musgrave Island during whale season. Regular whale sightings are an added bonus.

When Is Whale Season?

The first whales are normally sighted here in June, during this time they are few and far between as their migration north begins. Then midway through July the numbers start to increase with August and September being peak times. Whale sightings slow down after August and the last sightings are around the start of November.

Where are the whales going?

The Humpback Whales have travelled 5,000 kilometers from Antarctica to swim past us here in the Town of 1770 on there to the tropical waters of North Queensland. Here the Great Barrier Reef and Inner Island provide a safe sanctuary for mother whales to give birth and for others to begin their mating rituals.

Whale Fun Facts

Whale songs are used to communicate with other Humpback Whales and can last for up to 30 minutes.
Humpback Whales are considered the Giants of the ocean. Growing up to 18m long and weighing up to 50 tonnes.
A Humpback’s brain can weigh 5kg
When feeding they can eat around 2,000kg of food a day.
The consistency of the mothers milk is very similar to toothpaste.
The heart beats only 3 times in a minute.