Courtesy Entrada Travel GroupDwarf minke whales can grow up to about 26 feet long and weigh up to 14,000 pounds. The PADI Dwarf Minke Whale Awareness Distinctive Specialty course teaches divers and snorkelers all about these gentle giants.
Every year in June and July, something remarkable happens on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Large groups of dwarf minke whales converge on their annual migration, creating one of the world’s only predictable opportunities for in-water encounters with these gentle giants.
Why Take the Minke Whale Specialty Course?
Dwarf minke whales can grow up to about 26 feet long and weigh up to 14,000 pounds. They’re known for their curiosity and often approach boats, divers and snorkelers. The PADI Dwarf Minke Whale Awareness Distinctive Specialty course gives divers the chance to gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating species. The course covers minke whale biology, how to identify whales based on their markings, and important rules to follow when in the water with whales.
Any certified diver, age 10 or older, may enroll in the specialty. Charlotte Barbosa, PADI Course Director and training manager at Divers Den in Cairns, wrote the course with newly certified divers in mind.
Ethical Minke Whale Encounters
“There is a strong emphasis on buoyancy control, situational awareness and passive interaction,” Barbosa says. “Students learn how to respectfully observe whales and what to do if a whale approaches them.”
Divers Den has a special permit that allows divers and snorkelers to enter the water within 98 feet (30 meters) of a whale. Operators without a permit can’t put people in the water unless the whale is at least 328 feet (100 meters) away. This special privilege comes with rules to keep both people and whales safe. For example, no one may enter the water if a calf is present.
“The course is conducted during three-to four-day Minke Expeditions, where we know students will be diving with us multiple times throughout the trip,” Barbosa says. “The two required training dives are completed at some point during the expedition. If minke whales aren’t present on the specific training dives, we are confident participants will interact with them, either while diving or snorkeling, at some stage during the expedition.”
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Courtesy Spirit of Freedom
The liveaboard trips take place during peak season, when there is a 90 percent chance of seeing minke whales. During the training dives, students practice passive positioning, line contact and how to remain a safe distance from the whales. When whales are present, students practice identifying individuals by their markings and noting sexual characteristics when visible.
“Most divers are surprised by how close the whales get and how vocal they are,” Barbosa says.
No Certification Required
Experienced snorkelers can enroll in a nondiving version of the specialty course and receive a certificate of recognition. Both divers and snorkelers learn how to record and report marine life sightings via the Eye on the Reef app from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. This data supports vulnerability assessments and management decisions for the Great Barrier Reef.
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Regardless of whether they’re in the course, everyone aboard the OceanQuest expedition vessel gets to learn the minke dance. “It’s a long-standing tradition that helps draw in the minkes!” Barbosa says.
Guests can also attend informative lectures by researchers from the Minke Whale Project on select expedition dates. These whale experts are on board throughout the trip to answer questions and provide insights into minke whale behavior and vocalizations.
To learn more about the PADI Dwarf Minke Whale Awareness Distinctive Specialty course or to book an expedition, visit diversden.com.au.
Best Time to Swim With Minke Whales
This specialty is offered during peak migration in June and July on the liveaboard boats OceanQuest and Spirit of Freedom. Expeditions sell out months in advance.
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