The first southern right whale calf of 2026 has been spotted in South Coast waters.
The SA Whale Centre has confirmed a mother and calf were sighted about 1.8 kilometres offshore from Surfers Parade on Monday.
The pair had been seen by local whale watchers on Friday, but the sighting had not been officially reported at the time.
The Middleton Community Association shared the news on Facebook, saying local residents Lea Brooks and Richard Pocklington saw the whales near the Goolwa end of Middleton.
Between May and October, southern right whales migrate to the sheltered waters along the South Coast to give birth and nurse their calves before making the long journey back to sub-Antarctic waters.
The calm, shallow coastline around Middleton, Port Elliot, Encounter Bay and Victor Harbor provides an ideal nursery, allowing calves to build strength while staying close to their mothers.
More whale sightings are expected over the coming weeks as the migration season gathers pace, with thousands of visitors typically heading to coastal lookouts each winter hoping to catch a glimpse of the endangered species.
The Whale Centre encourages anyone who spots whales along the Fleurieu coast to report their sightings on the Whale Sighting Log to help monitor the annual migration.
