Friday 26th June.
A small group of us travelled to d’Albora Marine Nelson Bay. After the obligatory Covid-19 cleansing and sign in, we boarded Moonshadow cruise’s “Hinchinbrook Explorer” and sailed around 10:00am. The vessel was licenced for 260 passengers – but only carrying around 50 due to Covid regulations, Day was cool, bright and sunny, with light wind and a slight swell. Escorted by local dolphins we cleared Fingal light and headed north toward Broughton Island.
We soon picked up a pair of whales a little further out to sea. Although we came reasonably close, they appeared to just be ambling along, so the skipper took us further north where we came across another pair who were more active, with more water spouts sighted towards Broughton Island and further out to sea. Over about half an hour the pair surfaced, spouted, showed their backs (bobs) and tails and occasional breached. One breached close across the bows, giving us spectacular views.
When the whales tired of entertaining us, the skipper headed for home via “Boondelbar” Island & nature reserve. Manoeuvring almost up to the cliff face, we visited a fur seal colony before heading home, entertained on the way by a pod of dolphins. Lunch was either on-board fish-’n-chips or at West Diggers Nelson Bay, more Covid19 regulations, but only a hand full of people in the dining room.