Whale Sightings

Sunday Whale Watch Update: Calf Breaches, Dolphins and Seals

Calm seas and sunshine set the scene for a wonderful Sunday of wildlife watching with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises. Our crews reported humpback mothers and calves travelling south, with a spectacular calf breaching display among the day’s highlights.

The crew aboard Hinchinbrook Explorer located a mother and calf along the 40-metre depth line, halfway to Broughton Island. Travelling south, the pair initially spent little time at the surface, keeping passengers watching closely for their next appearance.

As they moved closer to the coast near Cabbage Tree Island, the calf put on a fantastic display of breaching. The crew suspected the calf may also have been feeding between surface appearances, although this could not be confirmed.

Passengers on our 1:30pm Whale Watch Cruise began their afternoon with dolphins spotted near Shoal Bay as the vessel made its way out through the headlands.

With beautiful sea conditions and Sunday sunshine, the crew then located a mother and calf humpback pair travelling south between Cabbage Tree Island and Boondelbah Island. They were a little elusive at times, with longer periods beneath the surface making their movements tricky to track. Each appearance offered another opportunity to watch these whales as they continued their journey.

Before returning to d’Albora Marina, our afternoon cruise visited Cabbage Tree Island, where passengers enjoyed watching seals basking in the sunshine on the rocks—a lovely finish to an afternoon on the water.

Every whale watch brings its own moments, from quiet encounters with travelling mothers and calves to the excitement of a breaching youngster. Sunday gave our passengers a wonderful glimpse of the wildlife around Port Stephens, and we look forward to sharing the next update from our crews.

Join Moonshadow-TQC Cruises for a Whale Watch Cruise and see what the day brings!

Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography