The whale-watching season peaks along the NSW coast with the daily passage of up to 200 humpback and southern right whales from May to August.

Most of these whales pass within three kilometres of the coast on their migration north to breeding grounds in the Coral Sea off Queensland.

Coastal headlands are a great place to spot the whales' telltale blow or, if you're really lucky, the giant splash of a humpback re-entering the water after a spectacular breach.

In this Easy Guide we'll recommend the best spots to see these giant marine mammals and list some basic rules to help ensure that you get the most out of that experience without encroaching on the whales' personal space.

 

When and where to see whales 

In general, you should plan your whale watching expedition for early morning when the spray from the whale's blow is not hidden by haze, or late morning and early afternoon when the glare off the water is minimized by the angle of the sun.

Of course, sightings can occur at any time and if your local radio station is buzzing with news of whales frolicking off your stretch of coast it's best to get there as soon as possible because they can disappear very quickly.

The following places are among the most popular for whale watching in NSW:

• Cape Byron State Recreation Area near Byron Bay
• Broken Head Nature Reserve near Byron Bay
• Solitary Islands Marine Park north of Coffs Harbour
• Hat Head National Park near Kempsey
• Crowdy Head National Park near Taree
• Tomaree National Park near Nelson Bay
• Barrenjoey Headland in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park near Sydney
• North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park
• Cape Solander in Botany Bay National Park at Kurnell
• Jervis Bay National Park near Nowra
• Ben Boyd National Park near Eden 

Which whale is that? 

Once the cry of "Whale-ho!" has been voiced, there are a number of clues that can help you identify the species.

Humpback whales travel north from their Antarctic feeding grounds in pods of three or four and can sometimes put on spectacular displays of breaching with huge explosions of water marking their re-entry. They also generally breathe or blow three or four times before their tail comes out of the water to signal they are about to dive for the depths. It is amazing how far they can travel once they have dived (or sounded) and you often have to scan far ahead to see them again. They mate and calve once they have reached the warmer waters of the Coral Sea.

By contrast, the southern right whales spotted off the NSW coast, generally south of Newcastle, are often pregnant females looking for a safe, quiet inlet or bay to calve and suckle. They can stay in favoured locations for a few hours or even days while the calf learns to swim and dive.

Boat-based whale watching 

While just about everyone can enjoy shore-based whale-watching, members of the boating fraternity get to make their observations from a closer vantage point.

But whales are sensitive creatures and anyone or thing that intrudes on their personal space can cause distress. This is particularly true of mothers with young calves.

Boat-based whale watchers should be aware that engine noise and approaches within a threatening distance can cause severe distress.

Males competing for females may also engage in rough physical contact so it is imperative to obey the following rules:

• At the first sign of distress or alarm, move away and leave the whales alone
• Never separate or scatter a pod of whales
• Never feed whales or throw garbage into the water near them
• Avoid loud noises while watching
• Obey general boating regulations while watching

Motorised or not, the following boating rules also apply:

• Never approach within 100m of a whale
• Within 300m move at a constant speed no faster than the slowest whale
• Approach from behind and parallel to the direction the whale is headed
• Avoid sudden or repeated changes in speed and direction
• When stopping to watch, place engine in neutral or idle for one minute before switching off
• Maximum of three boats to observe a whale or pod at any time
• Never cut-off or box-in a whale or pod while watching, particularly when more than one boat is present
• Never approach within 300m of a mother with calf
• When leaving do so slowly at no-wake speed until at least 300m away.
• Swimmers, divers and surfers can get even closer than boats and other vessels (including jetskis), but they also face the greatest risk of injury

The safest option is to stay out of the water but if you are already in and a whale approaches, try not to get closer than 30m.

Pilots of aircraft, including ultralights and hang gliders, should also be aware of a 300m no-go zone above or near whales. This zone is extended to 400m in the case of helicopters due to the loud noise and distressing down draft.