Migaloo the White Humpback Whale Facts and Where To Spot Him

With whale watching season coming up, we’re sure you’re all ecstatic to head onto your favourite whale watching spots and set up camp to catch these majestic ocean giants. Whether you’re a whale-watching newbie or not, you’ve probably heard about the fantastic Migaloo the whale—the most famous humpback along the east coast.

Before you go packing your bags to see this celebrity whale, Migaloo sightings are rarer than you think. Despite being easy to spot in a pod of whales, Migaloo is harder to catch these days since whales tend to swim offshore as they mature.

But, it’s never too late! Brush up on some Migaloo and whale facts, and learn how to be one of the lucky people who’ve had one of those golden Migaloo sightings! 

Ever wondered what makes Migaloo a special whale? Well, Migaloo was first seen on film on June 28th, 1991, along Byron Bay. During that time, he was the first documented all-white whale in the whole world! Researchers were able to analyse the whale’s DNA and later found that Migaloo is a male whale born around 1986.

Thanks to his distinct white pigmented skin and brown eyes, Migaloo the whale stands out when you chance upon his pod. While scientists suspect that Migaloo is an albino whale, there is still insufficient evidence for such claims, so he’s classified as a “hypo-pigmented” whale as of the moment. 

As part of Australia’s eastern whale population, Migaloo’s whale migration patterns frequent the coasts of Queensland and New South Wales. He was then named “Migaloo”, an Australian Aboriginal name to describe “White Fella”.

To protect this unique humpback, Migaloo the whale has special Queensland & Commonwealth Government legislation, stating that all vessels must not approach within 500 metres of Migaloo, and aircrafts cannot be lower than 2,000 feet away from him. The fine for breaching this law is $16,500.

Still, Migaloo is not immune to collisions. His last recorded incident was in 2003 with a trimaran off the coast of Queensland.

Humpbacks are known for their playfulness, and Migaloo is no exception! He is known to carry an enchanting tune, first recorded in 1998.

Up until 2011, Migaloo was thought to be the only all-white whale on the east coast. But today, there are around 3 to 4 other white whales  Migaloo plays with, namely Bahloo, Willow and Migaloo Jnr!

As long as you’re on the East Coast, there’s a mighty high chance you’ll catch sight of the elusive Migaloo the whale. These days, Migaloo sightings are usually reported around the NSW coast, so we highly suggest you go whale watching there.

To help you with your Migaloo endeavour, we’ve picked some of the best whale watching cruises along Sydney, Jervis Bay,Newcastle and Port Stephens that will surely give you great opportunities for some Migaloo sightings!

Chance upon Migaloo the white whale and other cheerful humpbacks in this whale-watching cruise in Sydney! Choose between a 4-hour breakfast or lunch cruise that traverses through the calm waters of Sydney, and enjoy live commentary on whale facts along the trip! 

Get unmatched views of the ocean’s gentle giants aboard a luxurious whale watching vessel by Captain Cook Cruises! With fantastic open viewing decks, enjoy watching playful humpbacks as they breach and play along your cruise. Who knows, you might experience one of the rare Migaloo sightings, and hear the stunning white whale sing!

Closer to the Jervis Bay area and hoping to catch a glimpse of Migaloo the white whale? Jump aboard this comfy 2-hour whale-watching cruise past the stunning coastline of Jervis Bay! With an experienced guide onboard, learn more about Migaloo and whale migration patterns! Tours start at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm!

Thousands of whales head to the warm waters of Newcastle and Port Stephens to give birth! In this whale-watching cruise from Newcastle, the odds of a Migaloo sighting are more in your favour. Embark on a 2-hour whale watching experience, and get up close (safely, of course!) to the ocean’s gentle giants, as well as friendly dolphins!

Don’t miss out on your chance to see Migaloo! Whales are usually seen passing through the Newcastle area between May and November, so we recommend checking out this whale-watching cruise! This 2.5 hour-morning cruise also has informative commentary and complimentary morning tea to sip on as you keep your eyes peeled for Migaloo the white whale and other humpbacks, too!