Happywhale Fluke Tracking

Each humpback whale fluke tells a story. The tail, or fluke, of a whale acts like a fingerprint; it has markings, scars, spots, patterns, and black or white colour that is unique to that whale.

Wildlife Coast Cruises has been actively recording flukes over the years, adding them to a world-wide database called Happywhale, and helping to tell the story of these remarkable creatures. We have citizen scientists on board, photographing whales on every cruise. This season so far we have recorded over 80 new flukes, with 23 of them re-sighted in previous years, from Tasmania, to Sydney, the Gold Coast, and even off Broome, WA! 

A whale sighted off Pyramid Rock last month (June), had previously been sighted off the coast of Broome on the 5th of August, 2022. While most of the humpback whales travelling along Victoria head east to NSW and Queensland, it is really interesting that a few inviduals seemingly travel along the western route in some years. 

Matching flukes on Happywhale helps us understand more about the humpback whale migration. What does their migration path look like? Where do they go to breed? Do they come back along the same route? Do they stop to eat? 

Passengers are also welcome to add their fluke images on to Happywhale, please contact Wildlife Coast Cruises for more information.