General News
29 August, 2026
Whale sightings surge off Cairns during a bumper season
WHALE watchers off Cairns are enjoying a bumper humpback season, with Reef Unlimited recording 115 adult whales so far – already surpassing the total number spotted in its entire 2025 season.
The Cairns-based operator has also recorded 24 calves, with tours continuing until 6 September as the annual humpback migration reaches its final weeks.
Last season, Reef Unlimited recorded 100 adult humpback whales and 30 calves on its tours.
In recent weeks, crews have also begun spotting neonate calves – very young humpbacks travelling alongside their mothers – giving passengers the chance to see some of the newest arrivals of the migration season.
The sightings come as humpback whales undertake their annual migration along Australia’s east coast, travelling thousands of kilometres between their Antarctic feeding grounds and warmer tropical breeding waters.
Reef Unlimited launched its 2026 whale-watching season on 15 July, with tours combining whale watching off the Cairns coast with time on Fitzroy Island.
At the start of the season, Reef Unlimited marine science division manager, GBR Biology, Dr Eric Fisher said the annual migration offered visitors a memorable wildlife experience.
“There are few more engaging experiences in nature than witnessing majestic humpback whales,” Dr Fisher said.
Last year, the company reported a sighting success rate of more than 90% across all its tours.
Tours are led by qualified marine biologists who provide information on whale migration, communication, anatomy, diet and population status.
The company operates aboard Aquarius II, with passengers able to combine a 90-minute whale watching cruise with time spent exploring Fitzroy Island.
Tropical North Queensland tourism chief executive officer Mark Olsen said earlier in the season that whale watching offered another way for visitors to experience the region’s natural attractions.
“The dedicated Reef Unlimited whale watching tour adds yet another way for our interstate and international visitors to experience the region’s key attractions with time to enjoy the reef and rainforest at Fitzroy Island,” Mr Olsen said.
Reef Unlimited’s whale watching season is scheduled to continue until 6 September.
