5 OCTOBER 2025
How good is a long weekend Sunday spent out on the water under perfect sunny skies! Today’s whale watching aboard Hinchinbrook Explorer was nothing short of spectacular — even the crew were left amazed by the incredible whale activity on display.
Our first encounter came just behind the offshore island of Boondelbah, where a Humpback mother and her playful calf were performing an unforgettable show. Guests were treated to an up-close display of classic whale behaviour — from tail slaps and pectoral slaps to rolling across the surface and showing off every trick in the book.
As we cruised further along the Humpback Highway, the action didn’t stop there. The southbound migration continues in full swing, with three more adult whales spotted making their way along the coastline. Calm seas, bright sunshine, and an abundance of marine life made for an absolutely brilliant morning on the water.
There’s no better way to celebrate a long weekend than by witnessing the magic of the Humpback migration right here in Port Stephens. Join us aboard Moonshadow-TQC Cruises for your next unforgettable encounter — the whales are putting on a show you won’t want to miss!
We had an unusual visitor during our 9am Whale Watch Express aboard MV Envision, getting brief looks at what we believe to be a Bryde’s Whale! It is one of the lesser-known species found in our waters- hard to track, these whales don’t undertake long migrations like the humpbacks.
🩵 Moonshadow-TQC Cruises – Port Stephens Whale Watching Experts
Photo credit: Lisa Skelton – images taken from Envision