Whale Sightings

Passengers aboard Hinchinbrook Explorer were treated to some unforgettable wildlife moments today on our Port Stephens whale watching cruises.

The day began east of Bennetts Beach, Hawks Nest, where two curious juvenile Humpback Whales mugged the boat for almost half an hour. Guests were captivated as these young whales circled and surfaced right alongside the vessel.

From there, the cruise moved towards Cabbage Tree Island where a mother and calf delighted everyone with a series of spectacular breaches close to the boat. Adding to the excitement, more pods could be seen scattered across the horizon, a true reminder of the busy Humpback Highway this time of year.

On the return journey past Yacaaba Headland, sharp-eyed passengers spotted a sea turtle and a playful pod of Bottlenose Dolphins – the perfect finale to an already remarkable morning.

The afternoon continued the magic with two separate pods of adult Humpback Whales, each with two individuals putting on alternating displays of power and grace. Breaches, tail dives, and head lunges kept cameras clicking and passengers cheering.

As the sun dipped lower, the cruise wrapped up with a final highlight – a lively pod of Port Stephens Bottlenose Dolphins near Jimmys Beach, escorting us back towards the dock.

Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography