Migaloo the white humpback whale spotted off Port Macquarie

Whale-spotters sometimes spend whole seasons waiting for Migaloo, but this year Australia’s favourite white humpback whale made an early surprise appearance off the New South Wales Coast.

Migaloo was spotted off Port Macquarie yesterday morning by whale-watching company Port Jet Cruise Adventures.

And unlike previous sightings, he gave no warning.

“Normally, we get a bit of notice but not this time. Our spotter saw him and we raced to get the boats out,” company owner Jodie Heeney told 9news.com.au.

“He swam towards us so we switched off the engines and then he cruised over. He was really interested in us.”

Migaloo stuck around for several hours and swam underneath the boat, to the delight of two rounds of surprised whale watchers.

“We hadn’t told the passengers. They were absolutely buzzing,” she said.

Migaloo, a well-known and loved white humpback whale, can be identified by sun cancers on his skin and a unique tail slap, Ms Heeney said.

“Everyone is so fond of him. The fact that he is so rare and he is cruising out on his own lends incredible emotion.”

Ms Heeney last saw Migaloo in 2014 on an early morning cruise, but said yesterday’s sighting was “really special”.

The sighting came as whales are migrating north to warmer waters from mid-May to July for breeding and births.

In August and September, adult and juvenile whales begin returning south towards the Antarctic, while calves and their mothers make the journey south in October and November.

With humpbacks now estimated to be returning to pre-whaling levels, whale-watchers are so far enjoying a bumper season in 2017.

“Conditions are beautiful this season. We’ve had fully-booked boats and great whale numbers,” Ms Heeney said.