While taking tourists by canoe to Ky Co for swimming and snorkelling at around 1 pm on Tuesday, the Director of Khanh An Community Tourism Company, Nguyen Huu Da, saw a whale, locally known as Ong Dung, surfacing to feed.
The whale spotted off Gia Lai coast (Photo by Huu Bao)
The whale was spotted near Bai Nom, about 3 kilometres off Quy Nhon Dong. It repeatedly lifted its head high above the water with its mouth wide open while eating, much to the delight of the tourists.
A 10-metre-long whale was also seen hunting near Hon Kho Island in Gia Lai on June 25. In recent years, whales have become more frequent and have appeared closer to shore along the coastal waters of Gia Lai.
Experts from the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation and Endangered Species stated that the whales spotted off the coast of the Binh Dinh area over the past three years belong to the Balaenoptera edeni species, commonly known as Bryde's Whales.
Binh Dinh's waters are not rich in nutrients year-round like some colder seas. But in summer, a warm current from the south brings plankton and small fish, the whales' favourite food. This may explain why whales often appear during the summer months.
The area is likely less fished and has cleaner, clearer water than nearby regions, making it more appealing to whales.