Whale Sightings

Today’s morning cruise aboard Hinchinbrook Explorer delivered one of the most action-packed whale watching experiences of the season so far.

With sunny skies, clear visibility and gentle offshore breezes, we encountered humpback whales everywhere we looked. Between Fingal Lighthouse and Little Island, an estimated 10-15 whales were travelling north in four separate pods along their annual migration route.

Guests enjoyed excellent viewing as whales surfaced regularly, with several spectacular breaches seen throughout the morning. We spent time with a pair of humpbacks displaying plenty of surface activity and tail lifts before spotting more breaches nearly a kilometre away.

Investigating further led us to one of the highlights of the day – a very large humpback whale relaxing at the surface, rolling onto its back and waving its enormous pectoral fins, revealing its bright white belly in an unforgettable display.

Adding to the excitement, a pod of Pacific dolphins entertained passengers by riding the bow and swimming alongside the vessel. On our return journey, we also visited Cabbage Tree Island, where two Australian fur seals were spotted resting on the rocks, including one particularly relaxed seal that spent several minutes happily scratching and grooming itself.

Despite some slow, rolling sea conditions, it was a fantastic morning on the water and another clear sign that the humpback migration is now well underway.

The offshore sea conditions settled beautifully this afternoon, providing excellent whale watching conditions for passengers aboard both Hinchinbrook Explorer and MV Osprey.

Not long after departing Port Stephens, our crews located several pods of migrating Humpback Whales in the waters off Fingal Island. Among the sightings were a mix of large adults and younger juvenile whales making their way north along the coastline.

While a couple of pods proved a little more challenging to follow, spending extended periods on deep sounding dives beneath the surface, nature quickly rewarded our patience. With multiple pods scattered throughout the area, our vessels were able to shift attention to nearby whales that delighted passengers with spectacular displays including tail lobbing, powerful breaches, and graceful tail-up dives as they disappeared beneath the waves.

Adding to an already memorable afternoon, the crew aboard Hinchinbrook Explorer encountered a massive pod of Common Oceanic Dolphins offshore. These energetic dolphins put on an impressive display as they travelled through the area, providing yet another highlight for guests onboard.

As both vessels made their journey back towards Nelson Bay, passengers were treated to one final wildlife encounter when our resident Bottlenose Dolphins appeared near Tomaree Headland, escorting the vessels on their return to d’Albora Marina.

With calm seas, multiple whale pods, offshore dolphin encounters, and our local bottlenose dolphins making an appearance, it was another fantastic afternoon showcasing the incredible marine wildlife that calls Port Stephens home.

Photo credit: Lee Matthews Photography