7 August 2026
Beautiful sunny skies and sparkling blue water made for another fantastic morning on the water as we headed out in search of the humpback whales migrating past Port Stephens. Cruising beyond Tomaree Head and the spectacular Mrs Murphy’s, we were greeted by a playful Australian fur seal before spotting three separate pods of whales offshore. We chose a pod of three adults, who delighted everyone by rolling on the surface and waving their enormous pectoral fins. The highlight came when one whale launched into a surprise breach right beside the boat, leaving guests gasping in amazement before the pod settled into longer dives beneath the surface.
Our adventure continued at Cabbage Tree Island, where seals basked on the rocks and floated with their flippers raised to catch the winter sunshine. The island was alive with birdlife, including albatross and sooty oystercatchers. To top off a wonderful cruise, we were escorted home by a pod of Port Stephens’ much-loved resident bottlenose dolphins, providing the perfect ending to another unforgettable day with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises.
Photo Credit: Lee Matthews Photography