Whale Swim Brief and Best Practice

Jetty Dive – “SNORKEL BRIEF”

Please read this safety information. It is important for your safety and enjoyment. All information under “Best Practices” applies to snorkelling brief.

• Follow instructions of vessel crew at all times.
• All snorkelers are to be in “buddy pairs” to ensure the safety of each other. Children need to be under supervision at all times.    
• Snorkelers should remain in contact with crew on board the vessel in case the crew needs to recall the swimmers to the boat.
• If the Boat Operator is signalling the OK signal, they are asking if you are OK. It requires an answer of “OK” or “Not OK” and “Help Me”
• Emergency recall to boat procedure – Air horn, loud constant banging on boat ladders, or whistle will sound.
• Avoid the area around the Outboard Motors, if they are running, do not come close without instruction from boat.
• Protect the Marine Park –  No touch, No take.
• If unsure of procedures, please ask Crew or staff.
• Exiting – remove fins prior to boarding boat via ladders at rear. Please leave your mask on. Never walk in fins.

Signal: Help Me! 

Signal: I am OK!

Jetty Dive – WHALE SWIM BRIEF

Jetty Dive Centre have developed a strict Code of Conduct to comply with the regulations and guidelines for Whale Watching, the regulations and guidelines of the Solitary Islands Marine Park that we conduct activity within, and our own environmental sustainability policies and procedures.

The “Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching 2017” and Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 are in place to protect and conserve Whales and Dolphins. Our Whale Swimming upholds the requirement not to interfere with the Humpback Whale’s migration path. If the Whales are not interested we will not see them underwater nor get in their way. The years of Whale Watching experience has given us the knowledge to know which Whales are safe and may have interest in us enough to swim over to our swimmers.

Our top priorities are safety; the safety of everyone on board and involved with our vessels, and the marine life we interact with.

We want you to have an excellent experience, but will not disrupt the whales to do so. Please keep this in mind when reading the guidelines below.

If you do not follow these listed procedures, you will be asked to return to boat and not re-enter the water for the remainder of the trip.

Entering the water:

• Prior to entering the water, swimmers must be fitted with a “No Shark” shark deterrent by crew member who ensure it is working. Do not adjust it without crew. You will be asked to pay for any loss of equipment.
• Snorkelers must not enter the water until directed to do so by the crew. If you do not enter at the time you are directed to, you will be instructed to remain on board.
• Enter the water calmly and with minimal splash to reduce potential disturbance to whales.

In the water

• Swimmers must maintain a close distance to the in-water crew member, staying in a group. This is for everyone’s safety, however whales tend to approach a group better than individuals.
• Do NOT swim away from each other or group.
• Swimmers must follow the direction of their in-water crew member at all times.
• Swimmers must be prepared to swim away from the Whales (if directed by in-water crew member or vessel crew) at any time.

Conduct with whales

• Never swim closer than 30 metres towards a whale.
• Never approach the whales. Let them approach you!
• If a whale approaches a person in the water, they must move slowly away to avoid startling the whale.
• Swimmers must not attempt to touch Whales
• Natural light only must be used for photography (i.e. no flashes/strobes or video lights). Humpback whales have large eyes that may be adapted for low light levels and they may be startled by camera flashes.
• If whales display signs of disturbance, swimmers must follow instructions of crew member and exit the water.
• We do not allow Freediving (or ‘duck diving’) in close proximity of Whales. We have found that this activity spooks them. Remain on the surface in your group.