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Whales, Sharks, etc.

Great White Sharks: Guadalupe, Mexico | Farallon Islands, California | S. Africa | S. Australia

Whale Watching: Whales, Whales, Whales | Sea of Cortez Wildlife Cruise

Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Basecamp | San Ignacio Lagoon Whale Watching Basecamp

Whales: Minke Whales | Dolphins | Gray Whales | Humpback Whales | Whale Sharks

Whales, Sharks, etc.

MINKE WHALES:

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

"Minkes" are baleen whales; they have no teeth but rather a series of horny plates hanging from the roof of the mouth, enabling them to engulf masses of water containing schools of small fish or krill. As the throat contracts, water is forced between the baleen plates and out of the mouth, but the fishes and krill are trapped on a meshwork formed by fine bristles on the inside of the baleen plates. The throat of minke whales can expand enormously, like a pelican's pouch, engulfing masses of water containing schools of fishes or krill.

On the northern Great Barrier Reef the whales arrive in June through July. They usually stay around visiting snorkelers for up to an hour or more in small pods. These whales are very friendly and often times are curious about us, enabling U/W photographers a great opportunity for great shots.

This interesting whale was only described about 10 years ago as a probable dwarf subspecies of the minke whale (Nalaenoptera acutorostrata). The largest animal measured was just less than 8 meters long. Individual whales may be recognized from particular details of their color pattern as well as positions of scars and parasites on their bodies.

Minke Whale vocalization has only recently been recorded. These sounds range from low grunts to high pitched star wars type vocalizations.

Minke whales are known to approach vessels elsewhere in the world, especially if they are anchored or only moving slowly. However, often they make just a few passes before moving on. On the northern Great Barrier Reef, however the whales usually stay around for over an hour, and in some cases up to 8 whales for over 11 hours. What is most intriguing of all, is the fact that these acrobatic little whales approach boats and divers in the first place and even occasionally surf in the bow wave like very big dolphins. Sightings are highly seasonal with the highest concentrations in June and July.

The Great Barrier Reef is about the only place noted on earth where the dwarf minke whales regularly approach boats and divers. It is thus especially important that encounters with whales be managed carefully. With such care, it should be possible for divers to continue to have what is one of the ultimate wildlife experiences, diving with whales!

WE offer live aboard dive vessels in the Great Barrier Reef that will enable you to fulfill your fantasy of swimming freely with these beauties, and listen to their song! Trips range from 3, 4 and 6 nights in duration. This is truly a great arena for that special photograph of a smiling Minke in crystal clear water!

Trips to see Minke Whales in Australia:
Undersea Explorer
Nimrod III

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