Editorial Compilation & Report by the MOOK Scenic Spots Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
Dive with whales in the azure waters of Queensland—what an opportunity!(Image provided by Tourism and Events Queensland)
Visitors who have experienced this all describe it with words like “amazing!” “Unbelievable!” “One of a kind!” Julia Abraham, a passenger on the first voyage, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—you can only experience it at a specific time of the year, and only a few people in the world get to take part. We saw these minke whales in their natural habitat, freely and actively approaching humans right in the middle of the ocean. It was truly a breathtaking encounter between humans and animals.”
The Great Barrier Reef, a world wonder, is the largest and longest coral reef system in the world.(Image provided by Tourism and Events Queensland)
Dr. Alastair Birtles from James Cook University said: “No other wild animal approaches humans so readily and stays with them for such extended periods without any form of baiting or feeding. The minke whales initiate the approach because they are genuinely curious about us. Aside from anything else, just being able to interact with them at such close range is truly indescribable. They are absolutely amazing.”
Queensland has always placed great importance on marine conservation. Pictured here is shark tracking research being conducted at the Far Northern Tiger Shark Research Centre. (Image provided by Tourism Queensland)
Swimming with humpback whales is definitely an unforgettable lifetime experience. (Image provided by Tourism and Events Queensland)
John Rumney, who has been running the “Eye to Eye Marine Encounters” marine research tourism since 1985, said: “We used to often see these dolphin-like creatures but had no idea what they were. It wasn’t until I had the chance to swim face-to-face with them that the idea for this dwarf minke whale program came about. This unique marine experience entirely depends on the whales—they swim toward you, observe you, and initiate contact, usually for over two hours, sometimes even four, five, or six hours. It’s a truly extraordinary wildlife encounter.”
The whale-swimming experience operated by John Rumney was selected by the International Whaling Commission as one of the best activities in the world and is now widely adopted in the industry. His “Eye to Eye Marine Encounters” won the 2013 Whale Watching Award from the “Planet Whale” organization and has consistently supported scientific research by marine biologists, including tagging and tracking of dwarf minke whales.
For visitors, the magical feeling of locking eyes with a dwarf minke whale is as awe-inspiring as sitting next to a gorilla in Rwanda or an African wildlife park. Some are moved to tears, some shout, some are left speechless. John says it is this breathtaking, unforgettable interaction that has drawn him back for 29 years, chasing this “whale” of a legend every winter.
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