The Whitsundays Whale Heritage Area is nestled within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and includes a group of tropical islands with fringing reefs and beaches. From around June to October, migrating humpback whales calve in the protected waters of the Whitsundays. Visitors are invited to experience the unique beauty of the Whitsundays through responsible ecotourism and the plethora of year-round festivals and events.
Cetaceans are a group of animals including whales, dolphins, and porpoises. They are an important part of the marine ecosystem in the Whitsundays, with six species of whale and four species of dolphin officially recorded as calling the Whitsundays home. Some species, like the short-finned pilot whale, can be seen year-round, while others are migratory.
From around June to October eastern Australian humpback whales relax and calve in the protected warm Whitsunday waters. The Whitsundays is recognised as a significant calving ground for humpback whales due to the islands creating safe and sheltered locations for mothers to give birth and start teaching their young.
The largest threat to cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the Whitsundays is climate change. While this is a global issue, it will have direct impacts on whales, both due to changes in ocean temperature and ocean acidification and food source disruption, as krill abundance and distribution is also highly dependent on sea conditions such as temperatures, water quality, and the presence of sea ice.
Visitors to Wildlife Heritage Areas can take part in outstanding wildlife watching experiences that put wildlife first. Staying in a Wildlife Heritage Area helps local communities invest in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, benefitting community well-being and driving forward sustainable practices.
Communities achieve Wildlife Heritage Area designation by playing a central role in protecting wild animals and their habitats. With support from responsible travel organisations and wildlife experts, these communities are committed to help turn the tide on biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, adopt a zero tolerance for wildlife suffering in tourism, and advocate for positive change through a willingness to collaborate.
In 2009, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority zoned a Whale Protection Area in recognition of the Whitsundays being a significant calving ground for humpback whales. Within the protection area, approach distances for all air and sea-based vessels were increased to provide added protection for whales. This added distance directly benefits new mums who are given added...
Engaging the community and key stakeholders and providing education is the best way to protect cetaceans now and into the future.
In 2023, the first pre-whale season event brought together tourism operators, with a focus on skippers, to engage with them about their added responsibilities during whale season. There were presentations from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park...
In 2023, the first annual Welcome Whale Event was held in the Whitsundays. It was designed and presented with Traditional Owners and included a Traditional Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony, an Indigenous dance ceremony welcoming whales to the region, stories from Traditional Owners about their connection to whales, the opportunity to participate in creating a traditional...
The Whitsunday Islands and Airlie Beach Sea, Sky, and Land are Country to the Ngaro People who also share close connections through bloodlines, culture, and Country with the Gia and Juru Peoples.
Due to colonialism, significant traditional knowledge and connection to (sea, sky, and land) Country has been lost. Fortunately, the people are strong and enduring. Recently, Ngaro...
The Whitsundays is doing its bit to help mitigate climate change. The Whitsunday Regional Council has partnered with EarthCheck to become a Sustainable Destination and support the Healthy Heart Project in its goal to decarbonise the region. The Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project not only looks at the council’s carbon footprint, it also engages the tourism sector. Having formed...
Signifying the start of whale season and the connection of Traditional Owners to humpback whales, the Welcome Whale Event aims to reconnect people to the environment. The event includes a Traditional Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony, an Indigenous dance ceremony welcoming whales to the region, and stories from Traditional Owners about their connection to whales. The event supports and connects visitors and locals to the Whales of the Whitsundays project.
The annual Great Barrier Reef Festival takes pride in inclusively connecting the reef to the shore. It celebrates the coastal region of the Whitsundays at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The Immersive Marine Art Installation, created using recycled products, brings a colourful reef attraction to the Airlie Beach foreshore. The Master Reef Guide Discovery experiences include interactive workshops and guided tours of the outer Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands.
The Whitsundays has an adventure or a escape for everyone. With breathtaking waters abundant with marine life and ample options it is no wonder the Whitsundays is known as the heart of the reef. For more information on the region and its bays and beaches visit Tourism Whitsundays.
