Ballina’s whale watching industry is set to expand with the launch of a new locally owned tourism venture as this year’s humpback whale migration season begins.

The first whales have already been spotted offshore, with numbers expected to increase significantly next month as thousands of humpbacks begin their annual journey north from Antarctica to warmer waters off Queensland.

Local skipper Angus Steeles and his wife Cori are preparing to launch Ballina Byron Marine Adventures, giving the region a second whale watching operator as marine tourism continues to grow along the coast.

Angus, 32,  worked for Ballina’s existing whale watching operator for six years and says he knows the industry “from bow to stern.”

He believes the increasing popularity of whale watching and Ballina’s growing tourism profile mean there is room for another operator with a different style of experience.

“I’ve always been around the ocean and love taking people out to sea and giving them the best sort of memories on the water,” he said.

“We saw a gap in the market and wanted to create something for our family.”

Angus sourced a partially built 12-metre aluminium catamaran hull in Western Australia and modified the fit-out to suit his requirements at a cost of around $800,000.

“We moved the wheelhouse and engine controls from the bow to the stern to give passengers an unimpeded view of the whales,” he said.

“It’s very different to anything else on the east coast.”

Angus and Cori Steeles

The boat will be licensed to carry 36 passengers and four crew members, though Angus has customised the layout to accommodate 25 passengers to ensure everyone gets the best possible viewing experience.

“A big plus is that it’s designed to be disability accessible,” he added.

The new vessel, appropriately named Cetacean One, will feature onboard toilet facilities and be powered by twin 400-horsepower outboard engines.

It is expected to arrive from Western Australia early next month before undergoing final approvals and certification to operate from Lance Ferris Wharf.

Angus has engaged three local marine biologists and plans to initially run two whale watching tours each day.

The operation also plans to work with Sea World if whale disentanglement assistance is required.

Cetacean One – undergoing final fit out

Marine biologist Ellie Cameron, who holds a master’s degree in marine biology and is also a qualified skipper, said the east coast whale migration continued to grow in both scale and popularity.

“You get variations in whale populations, but at the end of last year it was estimated there were around 50,000 humpback whales migrating up the east coast of Australia,” she explained.

“When whaling ceased on the NSW coast in 1963, numbers had dropped to around 500.”

The dramatic recovery in whale numbers has helped fuel a booming whale watching industry, with visitors travelling from across Australia and overseas to experience the migration.

Tourism operators say many whale watching visitors stay in local accommodation, dine in cafes and restaurants and explore the wider Ballina and Byron region before or after cruises.

Ellie says every whale has its own “fingerprint.”

“If you can photograph the underside of a whale’s tail, researchers can use AI and databases to identify individual whales — and in some cases even name them.”

According to Ellie, whales and their calves often use the Byron and Ballina Bay s area to rest during migration, making the region one of the best whale watching locations on the NSW coast.

“As whale numbers continue to recover, people are seeing more breaches, tail slaps and close encounters each year,” she said.

“It really is one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences on the east coast.”

Angus says he is passionate about keeping the operation local and plans to give back to the community through sponsorships and partnerships with schools.

“In the off-season, we’re planning river cruises that will include wheelchair access, creating marine biologist-guided wildlife adventures.”

The Ballina Bar was recently the site of a maritime tragedy, but Angus — having grown up in Ballina — says he has a strong understanding and respect for its unpredictability.

“The main thing is forecasting and making sure conditions are right for your vessel,” he said.

“We don’t need to go out there every day.”

The team is already taking bookings.

Email: hello@ballinabyronmarineadventures.com.au
Website: Ballina Byron Marine Adventures