Is Dwarf Minke Whale Encounters, Ribbon Reefs happening right now?
As of today, peak season now, through ~July 31. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Each austral winter dozens to low hundreds of dwarf minke whales visit the Ribbon Reefs off northern Queensland.
Licensed operators offer snorkeling and dive encounters where whales may approach snorkelers and boats, a behavior rare among baleen whales and restricted to a few reef systems worldwide.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Ribbon Reef No. 3 - Near Lizard Island |
| Ribbon Reef No. 10 - Cooktown Area |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.