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Divers Den

DWARF MINKE WHALES

Every winter, dwarf minke whales travel to warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef!

SPECIES DETAILS
Scientific name:
Balaenoptera acutorostrata (Not formally named)
Habitat:
Sub-Antarctic waters, migrate north in winter
Population:
Unknown
Conservation status:
Not at risk (Protected in Australia)
Australian distribution:
Northern Great Barrier Reef, sightings in other states except Tasmania

INFORMATION
Dwarf minke whales belong to the same family as humpback whales and blue whales, the largest animal to ever inhabit Earth.

They are the second smallest of the baleen whales averaging eight metres (26’) in length and weighing, on average, 6.4 tonne (7 tn). Females can grow to over ten metres (33’) and weigh 10 tonnes (11 tn).

Young minkes reach sexual maturity at seven years and are thought to live for over 50 years.

Dwarf minke whales can swim up to 30 kilometres per hour (18 mph) and hold their breath for up to 25 minutes, and travel in small family groups of two to four individuals.

After fattening up in the colder southern waters over the summer months, dwarf minkes travel to the Great Barrier Reef for the winter months, probably for courtship and mating.

Interactions with dwarf minke whales are seasonal, please check with the local dive services provider.

Dwarf Minke Whales is one of Australia’s 50 Great Dives! READ MORE

Special thanks to the Spirit of Freedom Team.                        
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair

DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:                                     
Open Water
Snorkelling:                            
Yes, majestic
Access:                                   
Boat only (Liveaboard)
Depth:                                     
Varies, interactions are generally surface based
Visibility:                                
15 – 30 metres (50-100’)
Water temperature:                 
25 – 29°C (77-84°F)
Seasonal:                                
Yes, June & July only

2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.

DIVE SERVICES

OTHER SERVICES

DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES