IF YOU’VE got keen eyes on the coastline, you may just spot the whales travelling to local hotspots.
Whales can often be seen migrating around Phillip Island and the wider Bass Coast area this time of year.
They often travel solo or in small pods on their way to their prime breeding locations.
There are a number of vantage points to check out around the coast where you may be able to spot a whale – most notably from May through to November.
The whales head north from Antarctica in late autumn in search of warmer waters.
Phillip Island Whale Watchers – a Facebook page established around nine years ago – has its finger on the pulse when it comes to catching a glimpse of the magnificent creatures.
Humpback whales are mainly sighted locally, along with southern right whales and killer whales.
The page was launched by Jamie Naismith and has attracted more than 33,000 members.
“The whales have been coming in dribs and drabs for about a month and a half,” Jamie said.
“Sometimes the ‘whale season’ is considered to have started when Wildlife Cruises starts its tours, but there have been a fair few sightings already. There are some whale watchers who have seen them on the opposite side on the Peninsula, as well as around Phillip Island.”
Jamie said he started the Facebook page to help locally-based watchers have better luck spotting the whales, with more eyes on the lookout.
“You can drive around and have a bit of a look, but actually spotting whales can be hit and miss. This way, people can post to Facebook and rely on each other, so, with the power of numbers, sightings are easier to come by on water and onshore,” he said.
“I’ve lived in Phillip Island a long time, and there was a time when I didn’t know you could see whales from there. My wife and I love the area and we love the ocean, so we decided to make it easier for everyone else to enjoy.”
Jamie said he believes sightings have increased, and people stay interested in seeing what’s happening out in the ocean and following the emerging patterns of the whales.
As well as Phillip Island and Bass Coast, Wilsons Promontory and Port Albert are also known for whale sightings.