Minke Whale, Blue Lagoon - Ribbon Reefs GBR

We have just returned from an absolutely wonderful trip to the Ribbon Reefs on the Great Barrier Reef. Three days of diving with Minke whales, reef fish, pelagics, sea turtles and even the odd diver have left us longing for the warm seas again now that we are back in Adelaide.

This one particular Minke swam straight towards me on several occasions, each time coming a little closer before bearing away. It was a magical experience, and at times I felt I almost wasted it being behind a camera!

Minke whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, visit the Ribbon Reefs every year during June and early July on their yearly migration. They are beautiful, inquisitive animals and actually seek out encounters with snorkellers and divers alike.

We dived from Mike Ball's Spoilsport and were impressed with their Minke education program as well as their adherence to a strict protocol used for Minke encounters.

For more information about Minke whales please visit http://www.minkewhaleproject.org/

Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that's what you do! ) ...Robert

Photo: Robert Rath C5060 1/90s at f/4.0 ISO200 Lens UWL100-28AD