Where are all the whales?

There have been many whale sightings in Albany in the first month of the season, but not many tourists to see them.

Albany Whale Tours operator John Woodbury claims tourist numbers are about 20 per cent down on last year, but those who have come for a glimpse of the world’s largest mammals have been thrilled to see humpbacks, orcas and two blue whales.

Albany Ocean Adventures skipper Paul Guest, who has taken a few stunning snaps of breaching whales this winter, said he had seen as many as 20 whales on a trip.

“Humpbacks are travelling through at the moment, we’ve had a few southern rights come into King George Sound, but it was probably a pregnant cow looking for somewhere quiet to have a baby,” he said.

Mr Guest said trips to spot the whales were cancelled last week because of bad weather but he hopes tourist numbers will pick up in the school holidays.

Mr Woodbury said most of the humpback sightings had been near Michealmas and Breaksea islands.

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