Whale Sightings

Conditions were generally comfortable throughout the day, though a noticeable swell persisted across both morning and afternoon trips.

Our day began with some incredible whale activity just off Boondelbah Bar Island:

• Two whales were seen heading south, while a third was spotted heading north — later joined by two others, forming a lively group of three.

• We followed the northbound whale approximately 500 metres offshore, where it soon linked up with another.

• The pair treated us to a fantastic breaching display, with an estimated 6–7 breaches witnessed in succession.

• A third whale later joined, leading to some spectacular close-pass encounters — a highlight of the morning!

• On our way back into the bay we stopped off at Cabbage Tree Island and spotted around half a dozen fur seals, and further on a playful pod of dolphins was seen frolicking near Yacaaba Headland. 🐬

Our afternoon whales proved to be a little more elusive. Patience was key:

• We headed south toward Boat Harbour, pushing out to 73 metres of water before encountering any activity.

• It’s likely we crossed paths with the same two southbound whales seen earlier in the day.

• In total, we observed two whales heading south, followed later by three whales moving north in deeper water.

• These whales exhibited long down times of approximately 12 minutes, resulting in only three brief surface sightings.

While the afternoon required a bit more searching, the day offered a mix of thrilling close encounters, spectacular breaching, and moments of calm as we observed these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. A rewarding day on the water for all on board!

Photo Credit: Lee Matthews Photography