VISITORS to Warrnambool's breakwater were treated to a surprise close encounter with a southern right whale yesterday morning.
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The mammal was sighted in Lady Bay, moving past Flagstaff Hill and the surf club before spending time about 100 metres from the end of the breakwater.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning senior biodiversity officer Mandy Watson confirmed it was a southern right from images supplied by The Standard.
Ms Watson said the whale appeared to be a young animal possibly a sub-adult.
"It has a lovely callosity pattern on the head which could be used to identify the individual," she said.
Ms Watson said a southern right spent all Monday at Logans Beach.
The first southern right whale of the season, which was spotted at the beach on Sunday May 31, was only visible for a short period.
Three humpback whales were visible about one kilometre offshore from Logans Beach on the weekend, heading east.
They were believed to be migrating to warmer conditions in Queensland.
Several whales, including southern rights and humpbacks, have also been spotted in Portland in the past three weeks.
Last year's whale watching season in Warrnambool began in mid-June and extended to mid October
malexander@fairfaxmedia.com.au