The Phuket Info Center posted on its Facebook page an account by tour boat operator Charoen Chanaphon who explained he was sailing a boat from Phuket towards Phi Phi island around 11:45am this morning when the whale was spotted. It was not confirmed whether any tourists were also aboard the boat at the time of the sighting.
Mr Charoen explained the whale appeared to be heading from the southeast direction towards the southwest. Shortly after the whale was spotted by Mr Charoen, it commenced its dive proceedure whereby its tail emerged out of the water before it began its decent.
Initially Mr Charoen was unsure as to the exact species but later explained that the rare marine animal team from from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) had examined the picture he managed to take and confirmed it as a humpback whale.
Such sightings are extremely rare in the waters surrounding Phuket, with the Phuket Info Center stating this was only the second official recorded sighting of the humpback species in such waters.
Humpback whales, or Megaptera novaeangliae to use their official name, migrate each year from Antarctic feeding grounds to tropical areas where they gather to mate and calve, particularly in the southern regions of the Indian Ocean.
Whereas sightings might be rare in the Andaman Sea, closer to Phuket and the surrounding islands, it does prove that the majestic mammals do swim in such waters.
Maritime officials did urge a note of caution, however, to anyone that may similarly come across the whale(s) in the next 2-3 days in the waters off Phuket, near Racha Island or Phang-Nga Bay. In such a situation people are advised to keep their distance and sail with caution and respect. Also, if possible, people are urged to report further sightings to the authorities, ideally stating date, time, location and/or coordinates.