THE GREAT MIGRATION: WITNESS THE HUMPBACK WHALES OF THE KIMBERLEY
Written by Will Gilmore for Coral Expeditions. Check out all cruises by Coral Expeditions here.
A New Season Unfolds
As the dry season takes hold of the Kimberley and the iconic roar of the King George, Mitchell, and Berkeley Falls begins to subside, another of nature’s great spectacles gains momentum. At this time of year, falling sea surface temperatures, calmer seas, and reduced cyclonic activity signal the arrival of the west coast’s winter visitors — the humpback whales.
An Epic Journey Begins
Western Australia’s humpback whale population is estimated at around 30,000. Each year, they embark on one of the longest mammalian migrations on Earth — a 10,000-kilometre journey from the icy, nutrient-rich waters of the Antarctic to the warm, sheltered breeding grounds off Australia’s west coast.
First Arrivals and Courtship Displays
By late May or early June, the first whales, usually juveniles, begin to appear along the coastline. Watchers may observe spectacular surface behaviours such as breaching, tail slapping, lunging, and pectoral fin displays. These dramatic actions announce their arrival.
Soon after, adult males arrive in search of a mate. This triggers the dramatic “heat run” — a pod of males competing for a single female’s attention. During these displays, males breach, throw their tails, and slap their five-tonne pectoral fins to outshine their rivals. As a result, these testosterone-fuelled encounters can be astonishing to witness.
