29 OCTOBER 2026
It was a beautiful day to be out on the water, with the coastline providing a stunning backdrop to our offshore adventure. The whales, however, kept us waiting… After an extended search, our patience was rewarded when we located a mother and calf pair remarkably close to Broughton Island. Any closer and we might have had to call it a Broughton Island sightseeing cruise!
The pair were travelling south, taking dives of around six minutes before resurfacing. Over the course of the encounter, we had approximately six or seven sightings, including a couple of impressive tail displays as the whales prepared to dive beneath the surface. There was plenty of other marine life to admire, too. Large numbers of mutton birds were scattered across the water, while a large pod of oceanic dolphins moved through the area near the whales.
As the encounter continued, mum appeared increasingly comfortable with our presence and approached the vessel, giving us a lovely opportunity to observe her rolling gently at the surface. These quieter moments can be just as memorable as the more energetic displays, offering a closer look at the graceful movements of these magnificent animals.
Unfortunately, time was catching up with us, and eventually someone had to be the responsible one and remind the captain that it was time to head back to shore! Although we ran a little behind schedule, spending that extra time with the whales gave everyone on board a much better opportunity to appreciate this special encounter.
From the anticipation of the search to the close encounter near Broughton Island, it was a rewarding day on the water. With a mother and calf, oceanic dolphins and an abundance of seabirds, the journey offered a wonderful glimpse into the rich marine life found along our coastline.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s offshore adventure. We look forward to welcoming you aboard again for more memorable wildlife encounters with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises.
Photo Credit: Lee Matthews Photography