Description

Minke Whale Dive Expeditions – A unique opportunity on the Great Barrier Reef

Dwarf minke whales travel through the Great Barrier Reef each winter, with most sightings occurring during June and July.  The Great Barrier Reef is the only location where snorkel and dive tours with minke whales are available and Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is one of a handful of operators licenced to operate them. Most sightings occur at Ribbon Reef # 10, where some of our best dive sites are.

Swimming with minkes – an incredible experience!

It is a truly remarkable moment when these big, beautiful whales slowly approach you and glide gracefully past. As you come eye to eye with these amazing marine creatures you’ll realise just how privileged we are to share the ocean with them.

Minke expeditions are suitable for both snorkelers and scuba divers.  The close-up whale action combined with excellent winter visibility on the Ribbon Reefs makes for great diving.  A code of practice is in place to manage safety for both divers and whales, providing the maximum opportunity to see whales at very close range while ensuring the whales interact on their terms. Most diver and whale interactions occur while snorkelling.

The itinerary is dictated by the whales, visiting areas of high minke activity and our key dive sites.  The number of scuba dives advertised is the approximate number of dives provided but may vary to enable our whale-focused itinerary.  Since commencing Minke Whale Expeditions in 1996 we have had a 98% success rate. The largest pod seen was 28 whales, the longest encounter was 10 hours. Every day has a high probability of whale encounters.  If we are not able to locate whales at our usual sites, up to two hours at a time is spent searching for whales further afield.  If none are sighted, we will dive as many of the Ribbon Reef sites as possible.

The Whales

Dwarf minkes whales grow up to eight metres in length, weigh several tonnes and are very inquisitive. An average interaction consists of 2 – 3 whales for approximately 90 minutes. The largest minke pod seen was 28 whales, the longest encounter 10 hours. However, minke whales are wild animals and can be unpredictable; past success does not guarantee future success.

Research is continuing to define the exact species of the dwarf minke whale that visits the Great Barrier Reef.  There are two known species of minke whales, the North Atlantic minke whale and the slightly larger Antarctic minke whale.  It is thought that the Great Barrier Reef dwarf minke whale is related to the North Atlantic minke, or is an un-named species.

Video is courtesy of Undersea Productions

7 Night Ultimate Minke Whale Expedition

7 Nights / Up to 22 Dives.  An expedition dedicated to maximising your in-water interactions at the world’s only known minke whale aggregation sites, whilst enjoying the diverse marine life of the Ribbon Reefs.  Sites, where minkes are most often seen, may be visited several times.

Vessel

MV Spoilsport is Australia’s most awarded liveaboard dive boat. Custom built to provide superb dive and guest facilities, Spoilsport has a twin hull design which maximises stability and passenger comfort in all conditions. Measuring 30m in length, Spoilsport has a dedicated crew of 12 people including the dive team, Master, chef and host.

We have everything you need for a comfortable, enjoyable liveaboard dive expedition. Guest cabins are a combination of double and twin share. All are air-conditioned and are serviced daily. Relax in the spacious lounge / bar inside, or head up to the sun deck and enjoy the view over the Coral Sea. Our award-winning food and service caters to all dietary requirements. Your chef prepares all meals fresh and vegetarians are well-catered for with their own dedicated menu. There is a reason Spoilsport is Australia’s most awarded diving liveaboard!