Passengers and crew on marine tour operator Tropical Journeys' vessel Calypso Blue have reported spotting the first humpback whale of the season. 

Kirsten Taylor from Tropical Journeys said the humpback was spotted in the shipping channel not far from Low Isles, and that the whale 'seemed happy to put on a display for the boat', as if saying 'Hi, welcome to whale season!'. 

Humpbacks migrate north to warmer waters in the autumn months, usually starting about July and continuing through to September. 

Sightings are not guaranteed but are usually quite common in these months.