A beautiful morning greeted us in Flinders Bay today with crisp, calm conditions setting the perfect stage for one very peculiar display from a spirited female Humpback Whale. Spotted breaching a total of eight times from afar, she quickly transitioned into loud pec slaps. These eventually turned into impressive double pec slaps as she worked to draw attention from potential suitors. Unsurprisingly her performance soon drew a crowd.
Two eager males responded to her calls, making their approach with purpose. While the action remained largely underwater, subtle surface clues suggested a brief but intense competition pod formed beneath us. Before long, one male emerged as the successful escort and the newly formed pair began travelling steadily towards the reef line, taking deep, rounded dives in perfect synchrony. Just as we thought the morning couldn’t get any better, a Southern Right Whale made a spectacular and unexpected appearance just behind St. Alouarn Islands.
In a rare and magical moment, the Southern Right swam close to our vessel, lingering curiously and giving all on board an unforgettable close encounter. With their endangered status and typically shy behaviour, moments like this are both special and significant. Moments later, as if on cue, a lone Humpback Whale then glided in to say hello. The Humpback continued surfacing near the bow and even lifting its head for a good look at our thrilled passengers. It’s not every day you’re greeted by two whale species in one trip!
It was certainly a day full of surprises, spirited displays, and unforgettable interactions. Serving as a perfect reminder of the wild magic of the Augusta coastline.
