Bremer Bay Orca Season 2025 Finale! A spectacular season filled with much joy, laughter and lifetime memories made as we reflect on another incredible Orca season and all the moments that made it so very special. This Orca season was all about the next generation as six brand new calves were identified and welcomed into the population as Sunny, Aurora Star, Mabe, Jessica, Gabrielle and Noosabu filled our hearts with joy. It is a new record for new calves observed in any one season and a fantastic reflection of the health we see in this population as they continue to grow from strength to strength.
Amongst the excitement of new life was also the sadness of losing one of our dearest Orca as Noosa was not observed this season after showing signs of older age and declining health last season. Although we watched for her every day she was never sighted and it is with a heavy heart we accept that she has passed. Her memory and legacy will always live on and we were amazed this year to see a female who was always very close to Noosa welcome a new baby, Tarni become a mum again! It is incredible to think that Tarni was pregnant while swimming alongside Noosa last season and welcomed her calf this summer who has been named Noosabu in honour of our beloved Noosa.
Witnessing the numerous hunts and incredible (although rare) prey escapes throughout the season was remarkable. The hunting tactics and continued improvements and refinement of these tactics by the Orca every year never ceases to amaze us as we continue to learn from them every day. To witness the Fin Whales escape this year is a memory we will always remember and especially special to share that first observed Fin Whale escape with John and Grace who are such a big part of why we are here as a family today.
John Totterdell first discovered the Orca and their hunting grounds over thirty years ago and has dedicated his time ever since to furthering the knowledge and protection of the Bremer Bay Orca. Season 2025 welcomed the team from ABC Catalyst whose documentary to be released later this year will showcase the incredible work John does and his lifetime efforts and love for the Orca which inspires us all.
The relationship our family and team have had the opportunity of building with the Orca over the years was impacting this season. The trust shown by the Orca this year left us speechless on many occasions as they welcomed us into their pods for intimate family moments, times of joyful celebration and fun with one moment in particular a memory we will treasure forever. Matriarch Queen approached us after another successful hunt and gently released a morsel of her meal while drifting alongside our bow midwater. Once released she waited gently before floating it towards us with a perfect exhalation, we will be forever grateful for this moment and memory shared with our beloved Queen.
To all of our Pod Members who have joined us this season, both new faces and old friends, we would like to thank you for all of your support and dedication to the Orca. Our family will be forever grateful to be entrusted with the opportunity of being the conduit between your world and the world of the Orca. It is with great joy we reflect as a family and team on the season and see all of your smiling faces, excited squeals and happy tears that unfold every day as you achieve your goal and dreams of meeting the Orca which in turn fulfils our dreams and goals. Thank you for always being there, our Pod Members motivate us to always strive to create the best Whale Watch Experience in this world.
To our dear friends and community of Bremer Bay, thank you for your kindness and patience as you welcome with open arms every year the thousands of guests who travel many, many miles to see this spectacular part of the world. It is a great honour and privilege to call Bremer Bay home, we treasure our time here and look forward to many more decades of fun and memories here in beautiful Bremer Bay.
To our team, you have made us all very proud this year for your continued hard work, discipline and enthusiasm. Our work is not always easy with many challenges, long days and early starts but you handled every day superbly and supported each other as one big family. The warmth and care you showed towards everyone, your genuine want for our guests to have the very best day possible and attention to detail was always noticed and greatly appreciated. Our family are not only grateful but very proud to call you our team, we have enjoyed every day getting to know you all and seeing you work under pressure, handling all situations with poise and taking on every challenge. Your humour, sense of fun and support for each other and our family is something we will be forever grateful for and always remember.
Our lives are a continual journey of growth and we have watched each one of you over this season grow your strengths, control your weaknesses and allow your true character to shine bright. The ocean is honest and forces the best from us, it demands your complete focus, respect and sacrifice. Once you have lived this life it can never leave you, it becomes part of you and we are so very grateful to share this life and these precious memories with those whose souls have the same connection to the sea as our families.
Family is everything to Orca and we take much inspiration from how they live their lives dedicated to each other and their ocean home. Our family thanks God everyday for bringing all of us together from all walks of life, all corners of the globe and allowing us to share in the beauty and awe of this world and the grace that can be found in it. These days never turn out how we have planned but that is why we have faith, family and friends to enjoy and embrace where you are right now as it is exactly where you are meant to be.
All our love, from our Whale Watch family to yours and see you for Orca Season 2026!
