Newquay in Cornwall has seen a flurry of unusual activity in its waters recently (Image: Getty)
A UK coastal spot that’s no stranger to tourists, has just become even more popular. The seaside town sees roughly 3.8 million visitors in the summertime and includes 2.5 million day trippers. Currently, however, this magical region is said to be experiencing an unexpected surge in tourism numbers for a reason other than marvelling at the town’s beauty.
The picturesque seaside town of in has seen an influx of excited visitors due to a group of majestic animals making their way to this popular UK’s shores. Humpback whales have been spotted in the waters just off the Cornish coast, much to the delight and awe of all lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these mysterious creatures.
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The magical creatures were spotted off the shores of Newquay much to the delight of visitors (Image: Adrian Langdon SWNS)
Hundreds of people have been in their element after spotting a number of humpback whales in Newquay in the last few weeks.
These creatures are renowned for their mysterious nature, largely because much of their underwater lives remain unseen by many scientists, making communication methods and complex social structures not fully understood.
Alongside their mysterious ways, humpback whales are also known for their size, with some reaching astronomical lengths of up to 17 metres and weighing a whopping 40 metric tons.
Despite their sheer size, these creatures enjoy the odd display of acrobatics such as breaching, leaping to heights as high as 12–15 meters.
The sightings have attracted a host of wildlife lovers and amateur wildlife photographers alike as these sightings continue.
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Newquay is always busy with tourists in the summer months (Image: Getty)
One such photographer, Adrian Langdon, from Wadebridge, spoke to to describe these curious animal sightings discussing how he first spotted one whale “in the early morning approximately two miles offshore.”
He continued: “There have been up to three humpbacks in the area in recent weeks and this was my second sighting; the first was from shore but seeing it at water level was very exciting.
“We encountered a second whale about lunchtime near Polly Joke and took a few photos mainly for identification purposes.
Nature’s phenomenon has been more evident around Newquay, with multiple reports of humpback whales occurring near the headlands.
Soak up the views in the pretty harbour (Image: Getty)
Since their arrival, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been inundated with reports of humpback whale sightings and is said to indicate a positive trend in marine biodiversity.
The cause for their arrival could be attributed to a recovering whale population following the 1986 ban on commercial hunting including changes in prey availability closer to UK shores.
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of these marvelous animals, experts advise heading either in the early morning or late afternoon.
Experts also recommend heading to elevated coastal vantage points such as the cliffs found above Mawgan Porth or at the Bedruthan Steps.