PAGE 6 | LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE PHILLIP ISLAND Each year, hundreds of whales migrate through the waters of Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory as part of their journey up the east coast of Australia to breed in warmer northern waters. During the winter whale tour season, from June to early August, Wildlife Coast Cruises offers a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close on daily tours around Phillip Island. The whales that frequent the area are mostly humpback whales, but there are also smaller numbers of southern right whales, and occasional pods of killer whales. Wildlife Coast Cruises relies on the community to help locate these whales, using the Wildlife Whales App, Facebook, and other contacts, to supplement the efforts and experience of the captain and crew. The app provides live notifications about whale sightings, allowing for a collaborative search. In addition to watching the whales, Wildlife Coast Cruises provides valuable information about the migration and behaviour of these creatures. The crew documents information about all its sightings, taking photos of the whales' flukes (tail fins), which act like fingerprints to identify individual whales. This information is shared with research institutes, such as Two Bays Whale Project and Deakin University, to help gain a better understanding of whale behaviour. For an unforgettable whale-watching experience at Phillip Island or Wilsons Promontory, check out Wildlife Coast Cruises' range of tours online. Be sure to book ahead, as these tours are very popular and spots are limited. To make a booking or find out more, visit wildlifecoastcruises.com.au Have a whale of a time at Phillip Island Wildlife Coast Cruises offers daily whale-watching tours during the winter whale season. Seeing whales up close is an unforgettable experience. PB22466
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