This week has seen whales return to the south coast for their annual winter visit.

Southern Right Whales travel from their summer feeding grounds in the sub-Antarctic to spend time in Encounter Bay from around May to November.

The area serves as a rest stop and whale nursery for the massive sea creatures, which often put on a show for those looking out for them.

Adelaide visitors reported seeing a pair of active Southern Right Whales at Fishery Beach, Cape Jervis on 26 May.

They were spotted again the next day off Kings Beach and near West Island at Victor Harbor.

On Tuesday 2 June a whale was seen 700 metres offshore at Bashams Beach, Middleton and later that morning two were spotted off Freeman’s Knob at Port Elliot. 

Locals hope these will be just the first of many for the season as tourists head back to enjoy the southern Fleurieu.

The SA Whale Centre remains closed for the time being, under COVID-19 restrictions, but its whale-spotting log is updated every time they confirm a whale sighting and can be accessed through the whale sightings button on the Fleurieu App or online any time.