Whales have been dropping into Yorke Peninsula waters in the past month seemingly unbeknown to authorities. 

There have been no reports to the state’s dedicated whale-watch page of the huge mammals in the YP region so far this whale season — which starts in May and goes to October — despite at least two confirmed sightings locally. 

Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales have been reported to the South Australian Whale Centre almost daily in a host of locations including off the coast of Victor Harbor, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island and Ceduna. 

Earlier this month, however, a whale was spotted off South Beach at Port Hughes, with the Port Hughes General Store sharing a video originally posted online by whale spotter Mark Crocker. 

And the week before that, YP Country Times reader Kristin Young sent in a photo of a whale she spotted near Chinaman Wells south of Balgowan.  

“The whale surfaced at least two times near the boat,” Ms Young says. 

The state Environment Department says the whale-watching season is now in full swing, with the “majestic mammals” currently migrating through SA waters.  

The whales are making their way to the Head of Bight, where six or more are being seen per day there. 

Southern Right Whales travel up to 5000 kilometres in search of warmer waters to breed and raise their calves. 

The SAWC reports every known sighting on Facebook and on its official online log.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 23 July 2024.