FROLICKING pods of humpback whales making their yearly northern migration have thrilled reef watchers.

Groups of humpbacks up to 15 strong were sighted between Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island last Thursday, Sunlover Cruises' Ben Price told The Cairns Post.

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"There were three or four pods with calves and mothers, about 100m away from the boat, lolling about and breaching all over the area," he said.

Spotting so many of the gentle giants at close range was relatively rare, Mr Price said.

"Normally you'd see one or two moving along," he said.

"You'll see a spout, as they get further away from you they'll breach, they create huge sprays, flapping their dorsal fin around, slapping their flukes."

But he said last week, the skipper had to slow down and stop to avoid running into them.

"We didn't come to them, they came to us," he said.

Coming weeks will bring yet more whales to northern waters.

"The humpback whales have a migratory path they repeat from year to year," Mr Price said.

"It's identical.

"For the next month they're everywhere.

"And apparently Migaloo's on its way up as well."

The massive mammals, who can reach lengths of up to 18m and weigh a much as 40 tonnes, are a hit with awestruck tourists and crew alike, he said.

"Once you see the size and the gentleness of them, it's humbling as a human being.

"You realise we're sharing this earth with creatures that are totally unknown to us, who are gentle enough to come up to us even after what humans have done to them."

Photographer and author of children's book Sorry Wally Troy Mayne who snapped this amazing pic of a breaching humpback, complete with barnacle-tipped nose, said: "Usually they come in dribs and drabs, but this time they came en masse.

"It looks like its going to be a good season."

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