Sea World Launches 2009 Whale Watching Season!

The first of thousands of Humpback Whales will be travelling past the Gold Coast as Sea World Whale Watch officially launches its 2009 season this Monday 1st June.

The Gold Coast whale watching season will run from June to November during the annual Humpback Whale migration and Sea World Whale Watch will again offer the ultimate whale watching experience.

Sea World Whale Watch will run tours daily (weather permitting) throughout the season, departing at 11am and returning at approximately 1.30pm.

Sea World Director of Marine Sciences Trevor Long said that Sea World’s custom designed catamaran and advanced educational facilities enhanced the amazing experience of getting up close to the whales.

“Whale watching is a truly wonderful experience and it’s something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.”

“The Humpback Whale population that migrates along our east coast is growing by between 8 and 13 percent annually, and we are expecting to see about 12,000 whales pass the Gold Coast in 2009”, he said.

Sea World Whale Watch experienced a fantastic inaugural season in 2008, with 100% whale sightings and thousands of happy whale watchers. The Sea World Whale Watch crew is also looking forward to assisting with whale rescues in 2009, after their 2008 experience where the crew spotted and followed an entangled whale until the Sea World Research and Rescue team arrived to assist.

Sea World Whale Watch tickets cost $88 for Adults and $66 for Children and Pensioners. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase their Whale Watching ticket as part of a combo deal which will include entry into Sea World with-in two days. Combo tickets cost $99 Adults, $77 Children and Pensioners.

Media are invited to experience a special whale watching trip.

DETAILS

DATE: Monday 1 June

TIME: 8am for interviews;

8.30am – 10am for special media whale watching tour

LOCATION: Meet Renee Soutar at Sea World Cruise Terminal in the Sea World car park

OPPORTUNITIES: Vision and stills of whales on board the tour There will also be a small group of public aboard the tour available for vox pops

INTERVIEWS: Trevor Long, Sea World Director of Marine Sciences

EPK: Media will be supplied with vision and stills of Humpback Whales to supplement what is taken on the day

RSVP: Please call Renee to RSVP your place on the boat by 12pm Sunday 31 May