by Mat Churchill

Sightings of a Humpback whale heading north from the Whitsunday Islands has created a wave of excitement in Port Douglas.

The majestic creature is expected to arrive in our area in the next week or two, and tour operators are already on full alert and preparing for the visit.

Poseidon's Katrina Edmondson said the opportunity to see whales in their natural environment adds to tourists experience of the Great Barrier Reef.

"Last Saturday, passengers on Poseidon had a great day in the water with a Minke whale, and it was quite inquisitive as it came up to the boat."

But it's the Humpback's which seem to steal the show, often putting on a performance for eager viewers as they breach the surface of the water and slap their enormous tail fins. "July is normally the time of year Humpbacks visit this area, and can often be seen just past the Low Isles and in the shipping lane." Katrina said.

Whale watching is a growth industry in Australia with locals and tourists alike keen to catch a glimpse of the mammals on their migration pattern.  Russell Hore of Quicksilver said. "We're getting more enquiries each year about the chances of seeing whales while on a reef trip, and we have considered having a dedicated vessel for whale watching."

Humpback whales can grow up to 16 metres in length and weigh up to 45 tonnes. An average-sized humpback whale will eat 2000-2500 kg of plankton, krill and small, schooling fish each day during the feeding season in cold waters (about 120 days).