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WHALE WATCHING OFF SYDNEY &
NEWCASTLE
from mid-May to October/November

(taken just outside Sydney Heads)
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OCEAN DREAMING II
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Ocean Dreaming is a fast modern comfortable vessel. Stable in all sea conditions, enabling you to enjoy your day watching these magnificent creatures.
She has three levels of outside viewing decks, perfect for whale watching and with these nice high decks everyone gets an unobstructed view of the whales and some great photo opportunities.
Whale Guarantee - if you miss seeing the
whales on your first trip, you can come again at no charge on a standby
basis.
Days: Every day
Depart:
Cockle Bay, Darling Hbr:
9.45am-12.30pm ,12.50pm-4.15pm
Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay - 9.15am-1pm,
1.15pm-4.45pm
Cost: $85/adult,
(Concession with ID $76) $50/child, $220/family
(child <14)
Discounts for groups over 15 - POA |
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TOTALLY WILD
Days: Every day
Depart: 2 hour trip
Cockle Bay, Darling Hbr:
10..45am-12.45pm,
2pm-4pm
Cost: $65/adult,
$40/child,
*note - children must be over 130cm tall
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HALICAT
Join this
fast catamaran on it's weekend trips outside the Heads to watch the
whales on this 4 hour trip.
Days: Saturdays, Sundays
Time & Departure point: duration 4 hours
Mosman Bay - 8 am and 12pm
Rose Bay - 8.15am and 12.15pm
Cost: $85/adult, $75/student,senior,pensioner, $50/child,
$250/family (2A+2C)
Whale Watching School
Holiday weekday special 6 &13
July flat rate $50 per person
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KATRINA
Sydney Eco Whale Watching's
personalised 4.0 hour eco-tour caters for only 12 passengers at a time.
No pushing crowds and lots of personal attention will make this a
powerful, spiritual experience. Katrina is an excellent ocean going
yacht that lets you have an awe inspiring - experience with the whales.
Days: every day except Mondays (unless a public holiday)
Time: 8am to 12pm or 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Departs: King St Wharf 7 (mostly, can change)
Cost: $105pp, $75 for children under 12 |
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OBSESSION
This is a
luxury sailing catamaran that can take up to 28 guests for a private
charter to see the whales as you experience sailing outside Sydney
Harbour.
Cost: $550 per hour, minimum 4 hours or $110 per person based
on 20 guests |
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FEARLESS
Suitable for private
charter for 8 people, Fearless can cruise at speeds up to 20knots
making it easy to get out to the whales.
Days: any, by arrangement
Departs: Manly or The Spit - 3 hr cruise
Cost: $1350 for up to 8 guests |
| The Humpback whale has
a stocky body with a broad, rounded head and extremely long flippers,
which can be up to one third of the animal's total length (up to 16m).
There is a series of knobbly protuberances on the head, jaws and
flippers, which often have large barnacles growing on their summits.
There is a noticeable rounded projection near the tip of the lower jaw,
and the posterior margin of the tail flukes is scalloped and may also
have barnacles growing along it. The large baleen plates are black, as
are the back and sides of the body and sometimes the undersides although
it is more usual for the belly to have some white on it. The flippers
and underside of the tail flukes are usually mostly white, and the
pattern on the flukes has been found to be unique for each individual. |
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Blowing and surfacing
characteristics of the Humpback whale
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| Humpbacks feed on krill
and small schooling fish, and when food is concentrated the whale lunges
through the patch with its mouth open, or may swim slowly on its side,
straining the water.
Each year, an estimated 1500-1800
humpback whales migrate 5000km from Antarctic waters where they feed to
warmer waters off eastern Australia and beyond where they give birth and
mate. Off Sydney they are seen migrating north during June and heading
south during October.
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Vessel-based whale watching is popular in NSW. Unlike Hervey Bay in Queensland, where whales are resting with new-born calves, most humpback whales in NSW waters are actively migrating. Any disturbance by vessels has the potential to affect these animals.
Whales require 'personal space', and harassment may severely stress them – possibly causing accidents both for humans and whales if the whales feel threatened. This is especially important in the case of the adults with calves, which may be either resting or suckling. Research has shown that whales are highly sensitive to engine noises. You should also be aware that during the mating season, males competing for females may engage in rough physical contact.
All whale watching boats through
Sail Australia keep within the guidelines set down by National
Parks. This means that the boats do not go within 100m of the
whale (or 300 if with calf) and do not disturb their migration.
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Participation
Participants must be fit & well and know of no reason why they should not undertake the voyage . If in doubt please consult your doctor.
Children should be of the requisite age for the tour being undertaken ; ie whale watch winter season 8 yrs ; spring season 12 years; nature watch full day 12 years
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