June 2025 Update

What a start to the season!

The past six weeks have flown by, and the northern migration of our mighty Humpbacks is now in full swing. We’ve already witnessed some epic sights and stunning whale behaviours—and we know there’s plenty more to come.

We began the season slightly later this year to give our skippers and crew the best chance of finding active whales on every cruise. While the first few trips out into the Tasman Sea were a little quieter, the humpback highway is now bumper to bumper!

Over the past month, the action has really ramped up. We’ve seen some incredibly playful whales, particularly the energetic sub-adults heading north. One standout was a young whale with almost entirely black pigmentation that breached over twenty times in quick succession—right near the boat! Traveling alongside what we assume was mum, the young whale put on an unforgettable show. While it never quite got fully airborne, its enthusiasm and repeated attempts left everyone speechless.

One of the season’s biggest highlights came on a late-afternoon cruise on June 2nd. We were tracking several adult Humpbacks just a couple of nautical miles off the coast of Manly. The sun was setting, and although whales were everywhere, surface activity had all but stopped. With only 15 minutes left in the cruise, we were about to turn back when suddenly the water surface exploded—about a kilometre ahead.

Two whales launched into simultaneous breaches, lifting themselves from the ocean in perfect synchronisation. One of our guests said they looked like they were dancing. Our talented skipper Chris didn’t hesitate—he surged the boat forward and slowed just in time to give everyone the best possible view.

The double breaches kept coming, over and over again, as the sun set over the Northern Beaches. Photographers on board were in heaven. It was truly one of those unforgettable moments that no one will forget anytime soon.

We run these tours multiple times a day, and while we know that magical moments like that don’t happen every time, it’s the unpredictability of nature that makes each trip so special. You never know when you’ll witness something truly once-in-a-lifetime.

What we can say for sure is that the majority of whales this season look healthy, active, and full of energy. With so much more migration ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year—and we’d love to have you on board to experience it for yourself!

Plus, our flagship vessel, Ocean Dreaming II, has had a major cabin upgrade with new seating — she’s looking sharp and ready for a season of unforgettable encounters.

With the later-than-usual start to the migration, we’re hoping for a later finish too — though, as much as we try, we still haven’t learned how to speak whale! Interestingly, there have been reports of earlier-than-usual births, with calves spotted as far south as Eden. This may be due to a combination of factors, including rising sea temperatures, shifts in marine ecosystems, or

changes in feeding patterns. We’ll leave that to the scientists — but it reminds us just how dynamic and fascinating these animals are.

To all our guests, new and returning: thank you for supporting responsible whale watching. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard and share the wonders of this incredible migration.

See you on the water!

— The Whale Watching Sydney Team