Whale Sightings

This morning brought unforgettable encounters as the whales made their way into the bay to greet our vessels. Two pods of Humpback Whales were sighted, each made up of a mother, her calf, and an escort. While one trio eventually travelled back out through the headland, the other remained in the calm, sheltered waters of Shoal Bay.

Passengers aboard MV Osprey were treated to an extended encounter, spending around 30 minutes with the pod in the harbour before venturing offshore. Out near the Fingal Island Lighthouse, the action continued with two Humpbacks tail slapping dramatically across the surface of the water.

Our beloved resident Port Stephens Bottlenose Dolphins also joined the show. As Osprey cruised back past Yacaaba Headland, a pod was spotted fishing and catching their lunch, much to the delight of everyone onboard. Meanwhile, those on our Dolphin Discovery Cruise received an incredible bonus—close encounters with Humpbacks as well! A lively calf stole the spotlight, delighting passengers with a series of repeated breaches.

The excitement didn’t end there. The 1:30pm Whale Watch Cruise mirrored the morning experience, with Humpback mums and calves sighted once again. This time, the calves kicked off the show with playful breaches before their mothers joined in, creating a spectacular afternoon display.

It’s days like this that highlight the magic of the Port Stephens Whale Highway—where every cruise is different, and every encounter is unforgettable.

Photo credit: Lisa Skelton Photography