10 JULY 2026
Our morning cruise enjoyed beautiful sea conditions, making for a comfortable journey offshore. We encountered several humpback whales travelling steadily north along their migration route. Although the whales were relatively quiet, they provided a wonderful opportunity to observe their natural travelling behaviour.
The whales spent much of their time completing 8-minute sounding dives, surfacing calmly before disappearing beneath the water as they continued their journey north.
The afternoon was a completely different story!
Before reaching the whale grounds, we were greeted by a pod of our local bottlenose dolphins, including an adorable calf, surfing effortlessly through the waves off Tomaree Headland. Not long after arriving just off Fingal Lighthouse, we encountered what appeared to be a heat run involving six humpback whales. The water was alive with activity as the whales interacted beneath the surface before bursting into view with a spectacular range of behaviours.
Passengers watched in awe as the whales performed half spy hops, powerful head lunges, graceful tail dives, and impressive peduncle throws, creating an exciting and ever-changing display. The constant movement and interaction between the whales suggested a highly social encounter, keeping everyone on board eagerly anticipating what would happen next.
On our journey home, we made a stop at Cabbage Tree Island, where another fantastic wildlife encounter awaited. Along the island’s north-eastern side, we spotted four sleepy Australian fur seals resting on the rocks, while one curious youngster was enjoying a playful swim nearby. As we continued around to the cabbage palms side of the island, we discovered another three seals basking lazily in the sunshine, with one more seal cooling off in the water. It was a wonderful way to finish the day, showcasing yet another of the region’s iconic marine species.
Photo credit: Lisa Skelton taken onboard Envision