Whale watching season usually runs from June to October, but a sighting off Seal Island, near Victor Harbor, on 28 April has sparked hopes for a bumper winter.

Big Duck boat tour passengers spotted the whale last Sunday morning; the species has not been identified.

It is the first confirmed sighting since 19 October last year, when a Humpback was seen near Emu Bay and a Southern Right near Middleton.

The SA Whale Centre has asked anyone who spots a whale to report the sighting, providing as much detail as possible, via the website.

The centre also works with citizen scientists to collect images of whales to create a catalogue of visits to the Encounter Bay area.

The catalogue currently features more than 60 Southern Right Whales that regularly visit the south coast and the centre welcomes submissions of photos or videos.

Find information about whales and the south coast marine environment at the SA Whale Centre.