As part of our continued efforts to explore this amazing country in a time of Covid, we found ourselves up on the Great Barrier Reef in search of Dwarf Minke whales. These beautiful sleek whales are one of the smallest of the baleen whale species, growing up to 8 metres in length. Each year during the winter months June to July, these whales arrive in large numbers moving up and down along the ribbon reef. This is the only place in the world you can swim with these unique whales, and we were excited to get in the water and meet these intelligent mammals.
The process is quite unique, you hang on a line drifting out across the open ocean from the surrounding reefs, waiting patiently for a glimpse of these elusive creatures. It is an interesting experience to say the least. But the practice is designed to protect the whales and offer a sustainable activity for tourists.
It wasn’t too long before our first Minke appeared, cautiously keeping its distance but curious by our presence. Then another joined and the word was out. With in 20 minutes there were several minkes swimming up and down the length of the rope slowly inspecting the small awkward human’s bobby on the surface.
The reef is teaming with marine life; turtles, schools or trevally, macro critters and a plethora of other creatures. But you secretly hope a minke will come over and say hi when you are on a dive. But there was no shortage of time spent hanging on the rope enjoying these streamlined creatures and listening to their unique mechanical sounding vocalisations and they communicated to each other during our encounters.
This is one of the most special encounters you can have in the ocean. Once you have spent time with a Minke whale you will be counting the days until you can see them again.