Residents of Sydney’s Northern Beaches were treated to an unexpected sight this morning when a juvenile humpback whale was spotted swimming around Little Manly Cove. This remarkable event coincides with the upcoming peak migration season for whales, leaving onlookers thoroughly amazed.
Witnesses expressed their astonishment at the close encounter, with one local, Alex Smith, sharing, “I’ve never seen a whale come this close; it was truly something special.” The adolescent male whale likely took a detour on his migratory journey, which is generally aimed at mating and moving north. According to Steve Trikoulis from Orrca, there could be several reasons for this unexpected visit: “Maybe it got chased in here by an orca, or it was seeking food, or simply wanted to explore our great harbour.”
The whale faced various challenges while navigating through the cove, including avoiding lines from anchored boats and maneuvering around swimmers and kayakers. Nonetheless, after its adventure, the young whale successfully made its way back into the open ocean, just in time for the migration season.
Trikoulis emphasised the importance of maintaining a safe distance from whales in the wild, advising observers to stay at least 100 metres away from any whale. In the case of a calf, this distance should be extended to 300 metres for safety.
As it swam past North Curl Curl, the young whale triggered a shark alarm, indicating that its journey back to open waters was not without complications. Despite these challenges, the sighting serves as a timely reminder of the beauty of marine life and the extraordinary experiences that can arise along the coast.