Monday, May 9, 2011

Whale Watching Byron Bay

Byron Bay is one of the premier beach vacation destinations in Australia. This small town, nestled by a cape that forms the eastern most point of the Australian continent, has a unique laid-back style that every visitor learns love and envy. They leave relaxed but yearning more. Byron Bay whale watching is one of the key attractions the town offers its visitors.

Every year thousands of humpback whales leave their summer feeding grounds in Antarctica and migrate north to tropical waters of the southern hemisphere to breed. Some of these whales choose to complete this migration along a route close to the Australian east coast. Why only some whales choose to journey close to the Australian coast is not well understood. But it provides us with a perfect opportunity to observe them up close.

Humpbacks are one of the largest animals on the planet. They grow to approximately 16 meters long and up to 50 tonnes in weight. Their name refers to the distinctive arch they form as they dive. They time their migration up and down the coast from May to December. The peak viewing season is June to November.

Byron Bay is a well placed to enjoy these mammoth animals. The boat journey from town to their path is very short, only a handful of kilometers, allowing more time for viewing rather than cruising. The whales often venture even closer to shore. Beachgoers at Cape Byron frequently share the water with whales, as well as dolphins.

One last notable physical feature that characterizes humpbacks is their very large pectoral fins. These structures can extend for up to one-third of their body length. The pectoral fins are well-developed limbs with notably long finger bones.

Several whale watching tour providers operate out of Byron Bay to ferry watchers a few kilometers offshore. Some providers launch their craft from Main Beach. Others moor their vessels at Brunswick Heads, some 18 kilometers north, and arrange a complimentary bus service for patrons.

In summary, Byron Bay whale watching tours usually last 2 or 3 hours. Operators usually provide at least two tours a day, if weather permits. The tours also provide an opportunity to view dolphins and some of the local natural ocean topography like Julian Rocks.

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