Family has whale of a time off Hedland

A Port Hedland family got more than they bargained for last week when venturing out for a lazy day on the water.

Natalie Devenish, husband Shane and their two kids were inundated by a pod of humpback whales breaching and frolicking amongst the waves just off the coast.

Pitched against the backdrop of Titanic-esque iron ore carriers at anchorage, Mrs Devenish said it was surreal to see the whales so playful in one of the world’s busiest industrial port channels.

One whale in particular appeared infatuated with the family’s small boat.

“I don’t know whether he was showing off but … we were there for about 45 minutes watching him and he was just constantly jumping,” Mrs Devenish said. “He would roll around on his back and flip and then dive under and come up and dive again.

“I don’t know how many times he did that. It was just amazing.”

Department of Parks and Wildlife senior marine wildlife officer Douglas Coughran said the humpbacks were partaking in their annual migration to WA’s warmer northern waters where they would mate and give birth before returning to their feeding grounds in Antarctica.