Migaloo is now travelling under police escort after a number of vessels tried to get too close to the famous all-white whale.

Queensland environment minister Dr Steven Miles says the vessels came close to the humpback whale as it passed by the Gold Coast and water police will now keep watch to make sure no one breaches a protection area around the whale.

Migaloo has been seen around Byron Bay and the Gold Coast this week.

"This has been made necessary by the reported behaviour of a number of vessels off the Gold Coast on Tuesday," Dr Miles said.

There is a special protection area for Migaloo of 500 metres for boats and vessels, instead of the regulation 100m for any single watercraft, while aircraft must keep a distance of at least 610m.