No whales have yet been sighted from the shore at Beachport as we enter the third month of the so-called whale watching season.
The Southern Right Whales species migrates each winter from the sub-Antarctic waters to the warmer waters off the southern Australian coast.
There were enough whales in Rivoli Bay in colonial times that a whaling station was established in the 1830s at the site of the modern day Beachport.
The Beachport National Trust Museum has some relics from the whaling era.
The first whale sighting last year at Beachport was not until July.
The SA Whale Centre at Victor Harbor logs sightings across the state with the first report for 2022 occurring 800m from the beach at Normanville on March 22.
Since then, there have been dozens of other sightings in SA but none off the South East coast.
Meanwhile, over the border at Portland, two Southern Right whales were the first sightings this calendar year in early May.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Anita Rank said Portland was living up to its profile as a whale watching capital.
“From May until September, Portland’s spectacular coastline is prime territory for whale spotting,” Mayor Rank said.
“This includes humpback whales, Southern Right whales, blue whales and even orcas as they make their annual journey to give birth and raise their calves in Australia’s warmer waters.
“More than 150 whales, including humpback, southern right and blue, were sighted off the coasts of Portland, Narrawong, Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater in 2021, providing yet another strong and consistent year of visitation.
“Just like clockwork (in) early May and the first of our marine visitors have made their way to our region.
“It is a promising sign that we will experience yet another busy and exciting season of whale sightings.
“There are plenty of unique vantage points in Portland to catch a glimpse of these creatures in action – whether that be our purpose-built viewing platforms, clifftops along the coast or even from our new Town Jetty.
“The whales have a way of surprising us by coming closer and closer to the water’s edge.
“I look forward to seeing locals, and welcoming a steady influx of visitors, as keen whale-watchers put their spotting skills to the test over the coming months.”
