Whale of a time: Kayaking with whales

By Cath Reilly

Well I’ve done it! My first Action Girl kayak-with-the-whales-adventure and all I can say is WHEN CAN I DO IT AGAIN?!

It all started early on Sunday morning with Region X Kayaking at Mossy Point. We turned up at 7.30am as requested and when Josh presented us with freshly brewed coffee and berry muffins still warm from the oven, I knew it was going to be good.

The morning was perfect with an early morning mist hovering over the glassy ocean and if I was an artist (which I’m not) this is definitely a picture I would have wanted to capture. Josh led us to the double kayaks and started our training is the how to and safety aspects of kayaking and whale watching and before we knew it we were gliding across the water and heading out to sea. All too easy!

The chosen route was south from Mossy Point where whales have been sighted for the past few weeks. A short paddle around the headland and there they were, right on cue. Three whales were lolling around quite close to the beach at north Broulee, a mum and calf together and the third, a bit out. I thought it may have been the father keeping a bit of a lookout as the So
uthern Rights stay in these protected beaches to keep clear of killer whales and sharks looking for the young calves.

We paddled towards the beach stopping a few hundred metres away and then floated around watching them. I couldn’t believe how calm they were, just lazing around, in true south coast holiday mode.

We watched for about 30 minutes and then paddled around Broulee Island, listening to Josh’s stories about the island which has a fascinating history. He pointed out a place called Pink Rocks which was a ballast dump point for early ships and the pink granite rocks from Brazil they dumped can still be seen at low tide and through breaking waves. The water was clear and we could see giant kelp forests, caves and many varieties of fish. I’m pretty sure I saw a huge blue grouper.

Next stop was Shark Bay on the south side of Broulee Island and this gorgeous sandy protected beach looked anything but sharky. Again, crystal clear azure water and stunning rock formations all around us gave it all a very Mediterranean feel. Josh and Shane got breakfast ready while we had a wander up the beach and towards the island walking track which takes you on a great walk around the island in about 40 minutes.

Breakfast was a feast. Picture a table laden with fresh fruit, hot porridge, yogurt, salmon frittata, marinated feta, bread, condiments and that was before the fresh coffee and chocolate came out. Back in the water and we were soon watching the same whales that had moved closer to the north side of Broulee Island. The wind was up a bit by now and the whales were much more active and so noisy. I had no idea how loud a whale tail flap was and there was a lot of blowing and snorting and grunting going on too. We reluctantly tore ourselves away and paddled back to Mossy Point. As we rounded the last headland, a majestic sea eagle soared above. A fitting end to an amazing kayak trip which I will definitely do again this spring.

About Cath aka Action Girl

Catherine Reilly has the best job on the south coast of NSW, hanging out with media and travel writers who visit in search of a good story. When she isn’t snorkelling with seals  and kayaking with whales she goes camping up and down the coast with her teenage boys and husband or on overnight camping / kayaking trips with the girls , eats out at any restaurant which used local regional produce and when the tides are right, kayaks to work to her job as Tourism Manager in Moruya on the south coast of NSW.