25 AUGUST 2026
Our passengers enjoyed a memorable morning on the water, beginning with an encounter with an extremely fast-travelling pod of humpback whales heading north along the Port Stephens coastline.
These whales were certainly travelling with purpose – perhaps they knew they were running a little late for their annual migration to the warmer waters of Queensland! Our skipper cruised alongside the pod at a safe and respectful distance, matching their pace to give passengers the best possible viewing time as the whales powered north.
After the excitement of keeping up with these energetic humpbacks, our next wildlife encounter unfolded at a much more relaxed pace.
At Cabbage Tree Island, we spotted a number of Australian fur seals basking in the sunshine on the rocks. Their laid-back behaviour provided a wonderful contrast to the fast-moving whales and a perfect way to complete another memorable morning on the water.
Every cruise offers something different, and today’s combination of determined humpback whales and sunbathing fur seals was a fantastic reminder of the incredible marine wildlife found around Port Stephens.
Join Moonshadow-TQC Cruises and experience the wonders of the annual humpback whale migration for yourself—no two days on the water are ever the same!
Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography