Whales in the Whitsundays - a spectacle for sailors

9:15 PM Sun 23 Aug 2009 GMT

'whale tale' Department of the Environment Water, heritage and the Arts Click Here to view large photo

Sailors are not the only ones to flock to warm Whitsunday waters during winter. Whales head north to the calm, sheltered waters off the coast of north Queensland to give birth to their calves and, in the process, become quite a draw-card for sailors.

Kim Lehmann, marketing manager for Sunsail Yacht Charters, based on Hamilton Island in the heart of the Whitsundays, said their chartering sailors quite often saw whales frolicking in the warm Whitsunday waters between about July and September.

If they were very lucky, they might see the magnificent creatures breaching, which means jumping up and out of the water, arching themselves before crashing back down.

"Guests aboard our yachts have reported to us some wonderful sightings of whales and their calves frolicking in the water," said Ms Lehmann.

"It truly is an amazing experience to see these massive mammals playing and splashing around. But if you aren't one of the lucky ones, don't worry!

Sailing with Whales - Photo by Channel Whitsundays - Whitsunday Rally - Various Various Click Here to view large photo

"We also have 74 tropical islands to explore - most of them uninhabited - with amazing fringing coral reefs and great bushwalks through pristine forests. And winter is a wonderful time to visit as we have warm, sunny days and clear, star-encrusted nights.

"Getting away to the warm Whitsundays this winter has never looked better with some great deals on charter boat hire and some really low airfares on offer at the moment."

The flotilla of Seawind cats taking to the waters of the Whitsundays. - .. Click Here to view large photo

Flights arrive every day from major cities into Hamilton Island airport in the Whitsundays. And because the Sunsail base is only three minutes away in the air-conditioned courtesy bus, would-be sailors and whale watchers can be on board and sailing out the harbour within a couple of hours, following a safety briefing. Sunsail can even provision the boat in advance in readiness for a quick getaway.

Sunsail tells us their fleet of high-specification luxury yachts and catamarans cater for every kind of sailing experience and holiday, and yachts can be hired with or without a skipper.

For more information call 1800 803 988 or visit www.sunsail.com.au

by BW Media

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Whales in the Whitsundays - a spectacle for sailors

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