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Two curious minke whales come up to inspect the camera, far offshore Australia's Great Barrier Reef
 

If swimming with minke whales has a place of prominence on your must-do list, Queensland, Australia is the place to go. Not much is currently known about dwarf minke whales but, every year, during the months of June and July, these whales can be seen in the remote outer reaches of the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. While minkes can be found across the globe, this region is the only known predictable aggregation of dwarf minke whales—anywhere.
 

Meet the Dwarf Minke Whale

Dwarf minkes are the smallest form of baleen whale found in Australian waters. Of course, “small” is relative, as adult whales can reach up to 25 feet in length. Sleek and streamlined, they are recognized by their distinctive color patterns: dark gray backs, pale undersides, and white shoulder patches that often “glow” underwater. Their pigmentation is highly complex and asymmetric. The markings, patches, and even the colors are often different on their left and right sides, making each individual unique and easily recognizable.

Their behavior is subtler in comparison to other whales. Minke whales rarely breach, but they can perform a series of intriguing underwater behaviors, such as creating bubble trails or “blasts” by exhaling air while still submerged. They may also roll onto their sides or present their bellies underwater.

In my opinion, the most fascinating behavior is their habit of approaching snorkelers and engaging in interactions that can extend for hours, apparently driven purely by curiosity—theirs and ours!
 

Nobody will ever accuse the minke whale of not being hydrodynamic!

Getting to the Minkes

Most encounters with the minke whales happen during dedicated liveaboard expeditions departing from Cairns or Port Douglas. These trips typically run for several days, traveling overnight to reach the remote reef systems where the whales are known to gather during migration season.

To protect the whales, all interactions are managed under strict regulations. Only a limited number of licensed operators are permitted to conduct in-water encounters each year. This controlled approach helps minimize stress on the whales while allowing researchers to continue studying their behavior and allowing tourists to come face to face with a charismatic marine creature. Due to a short season and limited operators, it is recommended to book in advance to get your favorite boat and cabin.
 

Minke whales are incredibly curious and this one is preparing to spyhop to get a better look at the dive vessel, Spoilsport

Swimming with Minkes

When a vessel encounters minkes, it cuts its engines or drifts, and passengers enter the water quietly. No two encounters are the same. Sometimes, the whales pass by only once in the distance. Other times, one or more whales return repeatedly, circling beneath the group with slow, deliberate movements. The interactions happen entirely on the whales’ terms, which is what makes them feel so genuine.

One of the most remarkable aspects of these encounters is the eye contact. Minke whales often approach close enough that we can clearly see (or photograph) the details of their skin, the scars along their bodies, and their eyes. There is a palpable sense of awareness during these moments—a feeling that the whale is observing you just as much as you are observing it. One of the most special moments for me was when a whale swam directly toward me. It came so close that its eye filled my viewfinder. In that instant, I lowered my camera and simply enjoyed the experience. Who knows when I will again find myself face to face with an eye the size of my head, looking straight into my own?

Guests can stay on the line or get back to the boat as they wish, but in my view, the secret to a good interaction is staying as long as possible in the water—you never know when an amazing encounter is going to happen. However, sometimes guests head to the boat and observe the whales from the top deck, which also offers a great experience.
 

Snorkelers dangle from a line while a small pod of minkes passes underneath

Photographing Minke Whales

Photographing minke whales can be both exhilarating and incredibly challenging. The encounters are dynamic, as the whales move quickly. Visibility and ocean conditions can also change rapidly depending on weather, light direction, and plankton blooms. Fisheyes or wide-angle zoom lenses (such as a 16–35mm equivalent) are essential. Whales can approach surprisingly close, often filling the entire frame. These setups allow photographers to capture both the whale and the surrounding environment, helping convey the scale of the encounter.

Artificial lights are not permitted but also not needed, as all the action is very close to the surface. Fast shutter speeds (1/250s or higher) are equally important. Minke whales are agile swimmers and can change direction rapidly as they circle the group. Shooting continuous burst mode increases the chances of capturing moments of eye contact or elegant body curves.

Perhaps the most difficult part is anticipating behavior. The best images often come from patience—staying calm, observing patterns, and being ready when curiosity brings a whale close to the lens or an unexpected behavior happens. Action cameras are also great way to enjoy the experience but without the need to check or worry about specific settings.

If you are anything like me and enjoy seeing your photographs contribute to science and the well-being of the animals you encounter, take the opportunity to speak with the researchers on board and ask how you can donate your images to the Minke Whale Project. Donated images are incorporated in their photo-identification database and used by scientists at James Cook University to monitor population demographics, track seasonal returns of individual whales, and assess the impacts of human interactions on individual whale behavior.
 

A minke whale banks to get a better look at the photographer and a line of eager snorkelers
 

Whales have incredible eyes and minkes are no exception. The things this beautiful eye must have seen...

More Than Minkes

The Ribbon Reefs are spectacular and home to some of the healthiest coral systems on the Great Barrier Reef, offering exceptional scuba diving throughout the season. Many operators combine whale encounters with diving, including dives at the famous Cod Hole, known for its enormous and charismatic potato cod. Reef sharks, green turtles, and schools of barracuda are common sightings, while macro enthusiasts can find colorful nudibranchs, anemones, multiple species of anemonefish, and an array of reef critters hidden among the coral, perhaps even the legendary lacy Rhinopias.

For me, photographing these marine creatures is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. Each image has the potential to contribute to research that will help safeguard these animals. In that sense, swimming with dwarf minke whales is an opportunity to become a partner in the ocean conservation.
 

A portrait of a beautiful minke whale as it plays just beneath the ocean’s surface
 

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