With Ocean Rafting’s exclusive access to the best local snorkel sites, we’re no stranger to some epic wildlife encounters… but this may just top them all! Yesterday, after pulling up on mooring at one of our favourite Northern Exposure snorkel sites, our guests were happily enjoying the wonders of the local Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It wasn’t long before our lucky guests had company, and incredibly, were joined by two adult Humpback Whales! These whales slowly cruised along the fringing reef edge, and straight passed our guests in the water, and on the boat. Upon seeing these unexpected visitors, our guests were instructed to hug the reef edge, sit back and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience! The Humpback Whales season is in full breach, and while we’re having daily encounters with these gentle giants, it’s not every day our guests and crew get to swim with them. The Whitsundays is vital breeding and nursing ground for these migrating whales, and while they’re in our waters, we all have a role to play in ensuring they’re protected, and free from harassment. As an Advanced Ecotourism Australia ‘Hall of Fame’ tour operating in the ‘Whitsunday Whale Protection Area’, our passionate team are committed to the protection of these incredible mammals, while giving our guests the ultimate Whitsundays and GreatBarrierReef experience!
For more information on these incredible animals be sure to read our Great 8 blog post! Or to watch the incredible footage of this event check it out on our social media!