DWARF MINKE WHALE SEASON

"TAKA" is one of the few permitted dive vessels to "Swim with the Minke Whales"

The world's best wildlife experience!

Dwarf Minke Whale Expedition Dates for 2008:

• Tuesday 3rd June
• Tuesday 10th June
• Tuesday 17th June
• Tuesday 24th June
• Tuesday 1stJuly
• Tuesday 8th July
• Tuesday 15th July
• Tuesday 22nd July
• Tuesday 29th July

Tour Type: 4 day 3 night Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Tour

Tour Itinerary: 10 dives (including 2 night dives)

About the Dwarf Minke Whale:

During the months of June, July and August of each year there is the amazing opportunity to encounter Dwarf Minke Whales whilst on their migration path. The Dwarf Minke Whale was first recognised as a distinct form in the mid 1980’s. Since that time there has been much research conducted on these whales, but still to date very little is known about the Dwarf Minke. Through research programs on the Great Barrier Reef, we now know a few specifics about these whales.

The Dwarf Minke Whale is the smallest of the baleen whales growing up to 7 metres in length and weighing up to 10 tonnes. Although they are termed "ship seeker" or in other words very friendly and not afraid of human contact, they choose to travel solitary or in pairs/small groups. They feed on krill in the sub-Antarctic waters between the months of December and March of each year. They spend a lot of time passing through the Great Barrier Reef during the months of June, July & August but have never been recorded feeding in the area.

The Dwarf Minke is the only species of whale at present, with which humans are allowed purposeful in the water interaction. You are likely to see these whales approach the vessel and interact with guests on board by jumping, breaching, spy hopping (poking one eye out of the water to look at you) or presenting their belly. These friendly mammals will play and interact with snorkellers for up to 3 hours at a time.

Taka Dive During Dwarf Minke Whale Season:

During the months of June, July & August we actively search for the Dwarf Minke Whales by having a look out to ensure no whale opportunity is missed. During this time dive sites may be adjusted in order to seek out the Dwarf Minke Whales. The only time we would not actively seek out a sighted whale would be if weather conditions such as tides/current precluded mooring.

Taka Dive Adventures has been in operation for over 18 years on the Ribbon Reefs. Our Minke Whale Skipper Jack Brosnan, has been the master of our various vessels over this period. Thus making him one of the most experienced skippers on our section of the reef. On top of his years of experience in navigating the Ribbon Reefs, Jack is also a fully qualified Zoologist. His love of all animals but in particular the whales, is clearly evident when you join a Taka Dive trip during the whale season. Jack’s success rate for sightings during the whale season is around 90%.

Taka Dive has worked along side CRC Research and James Cook University in their Dwarf Minke Whale research programs since mid 1995 (over ten years). From the years of researching these whales we have discovered favoured sites along the Ribbon Reef to encounter the whales. Although we try to stick to the usual itinerary during the whale season, customers are given the option to stay in the water with the whales and miss a dive.

Due to unpredictable encounters with the whales, itineraries are subject to change during this season. For the protection of these whales, scuba diving is prohibited with the whales. Snorkelling from a Mermaid line is the safest and most non-intrusive way to interact with and research these whales.

*Please note: although it is possible to see the whales on both our 5 day 4 night Cod Hole & Coral Sea tour and our 4 day 3 night tour to the Cod Hole & Northern GBR, due to possible time restraints on the Coral Sea trip, we recommend the 4 day 3 night Cod Hole & Northern GBR option during the whale season. Success rate for whale sightings is double on the Cod Hole & Northern GBR Tour.