From tails slapping, misty ocean spray being puffed into the air and the hefty splash from a breach, the humpback whale is certainly a majestic creature.
If there’s one person who knows this scenario very well, it’s Kerry Lopez, the highly regarded and extremely knowledgeable captain of the Eye Spy. For nearly three decades, Kerry has navigated the beautiful waters of Moreton Bay, showcasing the world of humpback whales to tourists and locals via Brisbane Whale Watching (previously known as Moreton Bay Whale Watching).
“Every time we go out is so different and the whales are just like the clowns of the ocean,” Kerry said. “They play, they know the boat, they’re curious and you can get anything from one flapping their tail around and then being upside down belly up and then waving out to another one breaching.
“We have had days where we just turn the engines off and there’s seven or eight whales around us in very shallow water and you can just see every little detail of their bodies – they are just beautiful, intelligent gentle creatures.”
Kerry’s passion for whales was ignited as a child. At just nine years old, she witnessed a beached whale, an experience that left a lasting impression. Years later, when she discovered that the same whales migrating through Hervey Bay also visited Moreton Bay, the idea for her business was born. The excitement and anticipation from guests young and old make for an “electric energy” on board the boat.
Whales, Crew and the Magic of Moreton Bay
“Everywhere you look, there’s just blows and pods everywhere and the interaction on the boat is amazing,” Kerry said. “We have little children and even people in their nineties that come back year after year.
“I’ve also got an amazing crew, some that came on the boat as a visitor and then came to work with me when they were 15 and now they’re driving the boat, it’s a real buzz for me.”
Kerry is recognised as the only female captain who owns and skippers a whale-watching tour in the South Pacific Rim. She admits a lot of people still don’t expect the boat’s captain to be a woman! Kerry’s daughter looks to be following in her mum’s footsteps, starting her Maritime College journey and could even be the lucky one to take over if Kerry ever decides to retire.
“I think I’ll be doing this until I’m at least 80,” she said with a laugh. “My crew are all the same, everybody just loves what they’re doing. So they come back year after year and it’s such a privilege to be able to take people out and share the whales.
“It’s a beautiful day trip through the Moreton Bay Marine Park and it’s the best time of the year in the bay. We get to see so much, it’s not just the whales, it’s the turtles, the dugongs, the dolphins, it’s amazing out there.”
Believe it or not, they can tell whales apart, thanks to markings on their flukes – part of their tail – and yes they do name them, you might even get a chance to help if you’re on board when a new baby is seen for the first time.
Jump on board the Eye Spy from Saturday, 7 June when Brisbane Whale Watching starts its 2025 season. Tours will run until the end of October. Visit brisbanewhalewatching.com.au
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