1 SEPTEMBER 2026
Spring has arrived in Port Stephens, and conditions on the water today have been absolutely stunning.
Our morning Whale Watch Cruise aboard MV Osprey was a little quiet. Despite the crew’s best efforts and plenty of careful searching, the whales proved elusive and difficult to track. As every wildlife encounter is completely natural and unpredictable, some cruises require a little more patience than others.
By the afternoon, anticipation was high, with passengers and crew keeping their eyes firmly on the horizon. It wasn’t long before the crew spotted a humpback whale breaching in the distance.
Captain Harry carefully steered MV Osprey in the whale’s direction – and what followed was truly unforgettable.
As we approached, the lone female humpback continued breaching before her curiosity took over. She swam towards MV Osprey and began “mugging” the vessel – a term used when a curious whale chooses to remain close to a boat.
She circled us numerous times, giving passengers wonderful views from around the vessel. Then, to everyone’s surprise, she launched into an impressive breach directly behind the boat!
After swimming away briefly, she joined two other humpback whales travelling north. A couple of energetic head lunges from the pair added to the excitement, but our curious female wasn’t finished with us yet. She soon returned to MV Osprey for another close look at the delighted passengers and crew.
It was a wonderful reminder of how quickly conditions can change while whale watching. A quiet morning gave way to an extraordinary afternoon encounter filled with breaches, head lunges and an exceptionally curious humpback.
Every cruise is different, and that wonderful unpredictability is what makes witnessing these magnificent animals in the wild so special.
Photo Credit: Lee Matthews Photography