Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has confirmed two whales were seen on Monday off Lee Breakwater around 5.30pm - the first for the Victorian season.

The whales were spotted by Portland photographer Nita Tonkin.

"The waters around Portland and Warrnambool are important for Southern Right Whales where they can often be seen from the shore," a DELWP spokesman said.

"Southern Right Whales arrive in April and May and stay until October.

"The earliest sighting on record is 22 April at Portland, the location where whales are sighted first in Victoria.

The DELWP spokesman said Logans Beach near Warrnambool was the only regularly used nursery for the breed.

"On average, between two and three calves are born at Logans Beach each year," he said.

"We expect to see greater numbers visiting the area soon and remind everyone to keep their distances in the water."

Glenelg Shire council mayor Anita Rank said Portland was living up to its profile as a whale watching capital.

"From May until September, Portland's spectacular coastline is prime territory for whale spotting," Cr Rank said.

"This includes humpback whales, southern right whales, blue whales and even orcas as they make their annual journey to give birth and raise their calves in Australia's warmer waters.

"More than 150 whales, including humpback, southern right and blue, were sighted off the coasts of Portland, Narrawong, Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater in 2021, providing yet another strong and consistent year of visitation."

Portland Visitor Information Centre will fly a yellow flag every time a whale sighting was reported.

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