20 JUNE 2026
Hooray for the weekend! Today’s whale watching adventures delivered plenty of excitement as the annual humpback migration continues along the Port Stephens coastline.
Our first sighting of the day was a pod of three Humpback Whales making their way north. Before long, one of the whales surprised everyone onboard with an unexpected breach, launching its enormous body clear of the water and setting the tone for an incredible morning.
The excitement continued when the pod joined another group, forming a larger pod of six whales. What followed was a spectacular heat run, with the whales travelling at speed and frequently surfacing to breathe. During these energetic displays, there is always plenty happening both above and below the surface as competing males demonstrate their strength, power, and determination in pursuit of a female.
Guests were treated to an unforgettable close encounter when one whale breached near the vessel, creating an awe-inspiring moment that will be remembered for years to come.
During the afternoon cruise, scattered pods of humpbacks could be seen throughout the area. We followed one particularly active group north from the offshore islands, where the whales spent extended periods resting and socialising near the surface, providing excellent viewing opportunities.
The wildlife encounters didn’t stop with the whales. As we approached Little Island, several seals were spotted swimming playfully through the water. Further north at Cabbage Tree Island, we counted six seals relaxing on the rocky shoreline, rounding out another fantastic day of marine wildlife sightings.
With whales, seals, spectacular coastal scenery, and perfect opportunities for photography, today was another reminder of why Port Stephens is one of Australia’s premier whale watching destinations.
Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography