Whale Sightings

It was a beautiful morning aboard MV Osprey, with lovely weather and great conditions offshore. The swell was relatively light, although we did have the occasional roll, which unfortunately meant a few of our passengers felt the motion of the ocean.

The whale activity was a little quieter than we’ve experienced on some recent trips, but we were still able to find a beautiful humpback travelling steadily northbound. This particular whale had some very unusual-looking skin, with areas that appeared almost algae-like or irritated. We can’t determine the cause from the vessel, but it certainly made this individual quite distinctive. We spent some time following the whale as it continued its journey north.

On our return trip, we spotted a couple of other lazy humpbacks also making their way north. They were keeping things nice and relaxed, with plenty of calm surface time before disappearing on their next journey.

Then, just when we thought the morning was winding down, we came across a pod of common dolphins near the lighthouse! 🐬 There were lots of young calves in the group, and they were incredibly playful and energetic. We were able to follow them closely, and with the exceptionally clear water we’re currently experiencing, we had fantastic views of them beneath the surface.

It may have been a quieter morning for the humpbacks, but between a few northbound whales, playful dolphin calves and crystal-clear water, there was still plenty to enjoy out on the water!

MV Osprey, our passengers treated to some spectacular humpback whale activity along the Port Stephens coastline this afternoon. After travelling through the headlands, MV Osprey cruised towards Fingal Lighthouse before turning south and continuing along the coast towards Fingal Bay.

Our crew soon spotted a pair of humpback whales breaching in the distance. As we approached, the whales continued their energetic display, breaching approximately five or six times and creating some incredible viewing opportunities for everyone onboard.

As MV Osprey moved closer, the pair settled down and continued their journey more quietly. It wasn’t long, however, before our crew located another humpback whale nearby. This whale was spending longer periods at the surface, allowing passengers to enjoy some wonderful, unhurried views.

Every whale-watching cruise is different, and today’s afternoon adventure was a fantastic reminder of the excitement and unpredictability of the annual humpback whale migration.

We look forward to seeing what these magnificent visitors have in store for us tomorrow!

Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography