26 JUNE 2026
Fri-yay! The weekend is almost here, and the whales certainly knew how to celebrate with an unforgettable day on the water!
Our morning Whale Watch Cruise aboard MV Osprey only needed to travel to the 50-metre depth line before we were greeted by a pod of three magnificent Humpback Whales. They wasted no time putting on a breathtaking display, treating everyone onboard to repeated head lunges, powerful breaches and energetic pectoral slaps. It was one of those mornings where every passenger had a front-row seat to nature’s own performance.
Adding to the wildlife encounters, we were lucky enough to spot a Gould’s Petrel resting on the surface of the ocean—a special sighting of one of Australia’s rare seabirds. On our journey home, eight Australian Fur Seals were basking on the rocks at Cabbage Tree Island, soaking up the sunshine as we cruised past.
The excitement continued this afternoon.
As we approached Fingal Island Lighthouse, the horizon came alive with whales breaching in every direction. We spent time with a pod of two Humpback Whales that repeatedly launched into spectacular head lunges, before our attention was drawn to another pod of three whales around 100 metres ahead of the vessel. Their spectacular breaching appeared to trigger a chain reaction, with a third nearby pod joining the action in the distance.
It was an incredible display of whale communication and behaviour. If the whales weren’t launching clear out of the water, they were enthusiastically slapping their enormous pectoral fins across the ocean’s surface, creating an unforgettable afternoon of constant activity.
Days like today remind us why the annual Humpback Whale migration through Port Stephens is considered one of Australia’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Every cruise offers something unique, and today was one for the memory books.
Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography