Huge sea creatures enjoy ‘seaweed facials’ in Australia, photos show. See the ‘spa’

Moira Ritter
·1 min read
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A group of tourists were exploring the waters off of Perth, Australia, among dolphins, birds and whales when they spotted two extra excited humpbacks.

“These two were very excited as they twisted, rolled and trumpeted their excitement for all to hear,” Whale Watch Western Australia, the agency leading the tour, said in an Oct. 5 blog post.

The source of the excitement? Seaweed, the agency said.

“We often see all age groups of humpback whales enjoying a seaweed facial,” the group wrote in the blog post. “Humpback whales have very sensitive skin and the tubercles on their rostrum are also extremely sensitive to touch so the sensation of a seaweed massage is very nice for these happy whales.”

The tour agency described the encounter as “a whale day spa.”
The tour agency described the encounter as “a whale day spa.”
Photos show the huge whales slapping their seaweed-covered fins.
Photos show the huge whales slapping their seaweed-covered fins.

The agency described the encounter as a “whale day spa.”

The group also spotted several mama humpbacks joined by their babies, a pod of four male humpbacks and a group of Bottlenose dolphins.

Experts said seaweed soothes the whales’ sensitive skin.
Experts said seaweed soothes the whales’ sensitive skin.

“It was a very special interaction and one we will remember,” Whale Watch Western Australia wrote. “To be welcomed to join the pod with these lovely whales and dolphins to enjoy a morning of socialising and play is always a great privilege.”

The two humpbacks were enjoying “seaweed facials,” the tour agency said.
The two humpbacks were enjoying “seaweed facials,” the tour agency said.

Humpback whales in Western Australia migrate annually, according to Whale Watch Western Australia. Starting in September, the population of over 45,000 humpbacks migrate from the icy feeding grounds of Antarctica to the warmer waters near Kimberly, Australia.

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