13 JULY 2026
There are days when everything comes together, and today was certainly one of them.
With calm seas, sunshine, and beautiful conditions offshore, our guests enjoyed two fantastic whale watching cruises aboard Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, with both our morning and afternoon departures treated to some wonderful wildlife encounters.
Morning Whale Watch Cruise
Not long after passing Fingal Lighthouse, we were treated to an incredible encounter with three migrating humpback whales making their way north. They stayed with us for much of the cruise, delighting everyone onboard with repeated “whale tails”—lifting their magnificent tail flukes high above the water before diving beneath the surface. It’s one of those graceful behaviours that never fails to amaze and always leaves lasting memories.
As we made our way back towards Port Stephens, the excitement continued when a pod of Common Oceanic Dolphins appeared just off the heads. Watching these sleek, energetic dolphins racing through the clear blue water was the perfect way to finish an already memorable cruise.
Afternoon Whale Watch Cruise
The beautiful conditions continued into the afternoon, making for another magical experience on the water.
Heading offshore, we encountered a pod of migrating humpback whales steadily making their way north along the coastline. While continuing their migration, they couldn’t resist putting on a little show for our guests, treating us to several spectacular breaches and playful pectoral slaps. Each powerful splash revealed their stunning white underbellies, creating breathtaking moments that had everyone reaching for their cameras.
As we returned towards Port Stephens, a pod of playful Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins greeted us around the Mt Tomaree headland, effortlessly surfing through the clear blue water and providing the perfect finale to another unforgettable cruise.
A Rare Visitor Spotted Offshore
There was even more excitement out on the water today. Our fast whale-watching vessel, Envision, was fortunate enough to spot a Southern Right Whale and her calf making their way south. They were located well offshore later in the morning, and while they were unfortunately beyond the range we could comfortably reach on our larger vessel by that stage of the cruise, it’s fantastic news to see these magnificent and much rarer visitors continuing their migration along our coastline.
Days like today are a wonderful reminder that every whale watch is unique. Whether it’s humpbacks breaching beside the boat, graceful tail displays, playful dolphin encounters, or exciting reports of a rare Southern Right Whale and calf, nature always has something special waiting.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us today. We loved sharing another unforgettable day on the water and look forward to welcoming many more guests aboard as the whale watching season continues. Every day brings a new adventure, and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store.
Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography