First 2026 southbound Humpback calf sighted this morning which was such an exciting moment along with many boisterous bachelor and competition pods. The morning was calm and three pods were within close proximity to each other with one little white belly rolling around at the surface, it was a Humpback Whale calf! How exciting to see our very first southbound baby for Season 2026 and this little one was big and healthy, a perfectly prepared baby for the journey ahead. Mum had a male escort travelling with her so the little family pod of three were very relaxed and enjoying their morning but started to slowly move away as further pods approached and merged.
Bachelor males were getting boisterous as one in particular was tail lobbing and inverted tail slapping repeatedly as trumpets echoed out through the sighting grounds. The midday tour started very relaxed with multiple pods all around but a pod of three bachelor males caught our eye as they socialised together and one of them was calling out for attention with some big pec slaps. It worked as another pod approached and eventually they all merged together and a competition started to form amongst them with high energy and plenty of jostling for position and to establish who was the most dominant individual in the pod. It was a fantastic way to complete a beautiful day out on the water with the whales.
