Drone Captures Rare Pod of 11 Whales Off Port Macquarie

A Port Macquarie photographer has described filming a tightly packed pod of 11 humpback whales off the NSW mid-north coast as “something special.”

Drone operator Alex McNaught was alerted by veteran whale spotter Leigh Mansfield on Monday before launching his drone from Rocky Beach and later Tacking Point. His footage showed the large pod moving south at speed in a strikingly close formation.

Experts say such gatherings are becoming more common. Rebecca Dunlop, associate professor of animal behaviour at the University of Queensland, noted that pursuit pods have grown in size during her two decades of research into the humpbacks’ southern migration.

The sighting adds to what has already been a remarkable whale season along Australia’s east coast, thrilling locals and researchers alike.