Since the weekend, a number of whales have been spotted around the waters of Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay. Yesterday a pod of whales, thought to be humpback whales, were spotted just off Coconuts Resort in Nelly Bay. Coconuts bus driver Daniel Daniels told Magnetic Times that the three whales were seen frolicking just 150m off the shoreline. "They were really easy to spot and have been seen there for the last few days."

Passengers on the Sunferries Reef Trips have also been spotting whales off Horseshoe Bay. Sunferries Marketing Manager, Christine Woods, told Magnetic Times, "Passengers on nearly every reef trip this week have been able to see whales - it's a fantastic and memorable experience for our guests on board"

Yesterday, on the workers' ferry home (the 5.45pm) passengers were treated to a sighting of a whale coming to the surface for a breath and much to the delight of passengers water could be seen spouting from its blow hole.

Sightings of humpback whales in late July and early August are now a regular occurrence, around Magnetic Island and Townsville waters, as they travel north to calve and escape the winter cold.

If you are lucky enough to be on a boat when you spot a whale be aware that there are strict regulations that stipulate that, unless a whale decides to move towards a boat, people are not permitted to move to within 100 metres of whales if they know them to be there. Engines should be cut 300 metres from a sighted whale.