Whale Sightings

Today has been another unforgettable day on the water for the crew at Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, with Humpback Whales putting on an incredible display for our passengers.

Our morning adventure aboard MV Osprey began with sightings of six to seven pods of relaxed Humpback Whales shortly after cruising out through the headlands at Shoal Bay. We spent time following one particularly calm pair as they made their way north along their annual migration.

For much of the encounter, the whales were performing sounding dives – a behaviour where they arch their backs and lift their tail flukes before diving steeply beneath the surface for several minutes. These deeper dives allow Humpback Whales to travel efficiently, rest, or investigate different depths before returning to the surface to breathe. While these quieter moments require a little patience, they often make the next surprise even more rewarding!

And what a reward it was.

Without warning, the pair suddenly burst into action, repeatedly tail slapping the ocean’s surface and sending spectacular white-water splashes high into the air. It was a fantastic display of natural behaviour and a reminder that every whale encounter is unique.

The excitement continued into the afternoon, with another incredible encounter waiting for us in around 50 metres of water. A pod of two Humpback Whales seemed almost ready to greet us, delighting everyone on board with energetic breaching and pectoral fin slapping. Watching these giants launch themselves from the ocean never fails to amaze, and there were another six pods visible throughout the surrounding area, making it one of the busiest whale days we’ve experienced this season.

To top off an already remarkable day, we also spotted seven seals relaxing on the rocks at Cabbage Tree Island, providing the perfect ending to another wildlife-filled adventure.

Today’s wildlife highlights weren’t limited to whales. Our friends aboard Envision experienced a remarkable close encounter with a magnificent Northern Giant Petrel.

The impressive seabird made a close fly-by before settling on the water beside its mate, giving everyone an excellent opportunity to admire these incredible ocean wanderers. With their powerful hooked beaks and commanding presence, Northern Giant Petrels have an unmistakably prehistoric appearance, making them one of the Southern Ocean’s most fascinating seabirds.

As the bird flew past, the crew noticed what appeared to be a length of fishing line trailing from one of its wings. Skipper Matt carefully stopped the vessel and slowly manoeuvred into a safe position, allowing the birds to approach the boat naturally. This provided a closer look and clearer photographs, confirming that the bird appeared to have line attached to its wing.

The sighting has been reported to a local wildlife rescue organisation. As this pair has been regularly seen in the area over the past week, there is hope that trained wildlife rescuers may be able to safely locate the bird, capture it if appropriate, and remove the entangled line. We wish them every success and will continue to keep a watchful eye on these remarkable seabirds during our cruises.

Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography