Whale Sightings

It was an absolute pleasure to be out on the water today, with beautiful weather conditions for whale watching.

Most of our sightings were mums and calves making their way south on their annual migration. One pair slowly zigzagged their way along the coast, leading us to believe the calf may have been feeding.

Another pair put on a spectacular show, becoming playful between some long sounding dives and treating us to an impressive tail slap and breach only about 50 metres from the boat! After their energetic display, they settled back into longer dives as they continued their journey south.

WHALE, SEAL & GYMEA LILY FUN FACT!

Humpback whales travel thousands of kilometres each year, migrating along the NSW East Coast between their Antarctic feeding grounds and the warmer northern waters where they breed and give birth.

And they’re not the only ocean travellers! Fur seals can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres at sea, following productive waters in search of fish and squid.  Port Stephens have a colony, who feed, frolic and laze in the sunshine, mainly at Cabbage Tree Island throughout the whale season.

Nature was also on the calendar. For generations, Aboriginal people along the NSW coast observed changes in the land, sea, plants and animals to recognise the changing seasons. The flowering of the spectacular Gymea lily was traditionally associated with seasonal changes, including the time whales could be seen travelling along the coast.

It’s a wonderful reminder that everything in nature is connected — from the flowers on the land to the whales travelling along our ocean highway.

Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography