MIGALOO may not be the only white humpback whale visiting Far Northern waters this year.

A television helicopter this week spotted a predominantly white humpback, with black blotches near its head and tail, off the coast of Byron Bay.

Sea World marine sciences director Trevor Long, who has seen the footage, said it was possible the whale was related to Migaloo.

"A lot of the whales out there have a high degree of pigmentation, so it's one of those questions no one will ever know the answer to unless you do some sort of genetic analysis," Mr Long said.

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He said white whales were rare, but others with light colouring had been seen recently as the giants began making their annual migration north.

Quicksilver marine biology manager Russell Hore said the group had only ever seen one white whale - Migaloo - in Far Northern waters.

"I've seen lots of humpbacks but to see Migaloo was so exciting," Mr Hore, who has had the glory of spotting the white giant twice, said.

"I think every whale is special but the white whales are just something else.

"To see Migaloo coming up to the surface, he almost looks iridescent."

Pods of frolicking humpback whales have already been spotted in Far Northern waters between Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island last week.

But Migaloo, who usually heads north in late June and returns south in September, has not yet been spotted.

The other white whale was expected to head past the Sunshine Coast today, after passing the Gold Coast yesterday.

Mr Long said some white calves were spotted with their mothers near Hervey Bay last year.

"Whether it's one of those and it’s the first time it’s come back … well, we haven't seen it before," Mr Long said.

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