2023 Whale Watching Season Recap
The 2023 Tangalooma Whale Watching season was again an incredible season for our adventure seeking guests. The Humpback Whales begin the great migration north to warmer waters to breed from June to August and then return back down to the Southern Ocean from September through November. Over this migration period these whales can swim up to 10,000 km in their journey.
This year a total of 886 whales were spotted from the Tangalooma Jet, the resort's largest boat. The Jet, with it's seating capacity of 360 passengers, ranks among the largest whale-watching vessels in Australia. However, to ensure a more comfortable experience, we limit the number of passengers to around 180.
The highlight of this season was the privilege of witnessing 886 whales, including an exciting number of newborn calves (85) and juveniles (62). Beyond the majestic whales, the bay treated our guests to a diverse array of marine life, including dolphins, turtles, and dugongs. The whale watching cruises also provided a unique opportunity for guests to explore the lesser-known side of Moreton Island, learning about its rich history while traveling alongside the island to the north.
Throughout the season, numerous special moments unfolded as pods of whales and dolphins interacted with each other. The more active whales, engaging in breaching and pectoral slapping, often attracted the attention of curious bottlenose dolphins in the vicinity.
One extraordinary occurrence that stands out was the rare sighting of a mother humpback whale nursing its calf. As the crew spotted a whale in the distance, our skilled captain approached cautiously, ensuring not to infringe on the prescribed approach limits. This heart-warming experience unfolded as the curious calf swam a distance away from its mother to inspect the boat, eventually leading to an awe-inspiring display of the mother raising her tail with the calf assuming a nursing position. The close proximity of this breathtaking moment left the entire boat in stunned silence, it was such an honour to witness such a special moment. The mother seemed to feel incredibly comfortable with our presence. To everyone's amazement, the nursing session resumed multiple times, with the mother exhibiting a remarkable ease in feeding her calf alongside our vessel.
Reflecting on these extraordinary experiences, it's safe to say that this whale watching season at Tangalooma Island Resort has been nothing short of exceptional, making it a personal favourite for all involved.