🐋Double Trouble this Afternoon

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📅 Sunday, 02 August 2026 - Afternoon

Following more reports of whale activity around Goolwa Beach, our crew were excited to get back out on the water - and the whales did not disappoint!

Our afternoon became even more special when two Southern Right Whales were spotted offshore, but the real highlight came when one of the whales showed genuine curiosity, slowly approaching the vessel and giving everyone on board an unforgettable close encounter.

📅 Sunday, 02 August 2026 - Morning

Despite windy conditions out on the water, this morning’s tour was rewarded with one adult Southern Right Whale.

We’ll test our luck on the next two tours and hope this incredible visitor is still hanging around for another unforgettable encounter.

Keep your eyes on the water!

🐋Four Whales, Three Tours, One Amazing Day

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📅 Saturday, 01 August 2026

What an incredible way to kick off the month, with four Southern Right Whales spotted in Encounter Bay!

With four of these magnificent animals now present in the waters around Victor Harbor, all three of our fully booked Southern Ocean Adventure tours were lucky enough to witness all four whales throughout the day, including three adults and a playful calf. Watching these incredible giants in their natural habitat is always a special experience, and sharing those moments with our guests makes it even more memorable.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on board and helped make it such a fantastic day on the water. We can't wait to welcome more guests aboard as the whale season continues!

🐋A Second Cow & Calf in Encounter Bay !

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📅 Tuesday, 28 July 2026

What an incredible encounter on today's tour!

While travelling between Seal Island and Encounter Bay, our crew spotted a blow approximately 1 km away. We slowed down to observe and were thrilled to discover a southern right whale cow and calf pair.

This was one of the most active southern right whale encounters our crew has ever witnessed, treated to multiple pectoral fin waves, with both whales lifting their fins repeatedly as if they were waving hello. 👋🐳

Even more exciting, this sighting could indicate the presence of a second cow and calf pair in the Encounter Bay area—a fantastic sign for this year's whale season!

🐋Mum & Bub Still Loving Goolwa Beach!

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📅 Sunday, 26 July – Afternoon

For our afternoon departure, we headed back towards where we'd encountered the pair earlier in the day—and they weren't far away!

This time, mum and calf were just offshore from the iconic yellow Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club observation tower, giving our guests another memorable encounter with Encounter Bay's first Southern Right Whale nursery pair of the season.

It's wonderful to see this pair continuing to spend time along the Goolwa–Middleton coastline. With the 2026 season getting off to a later start than usual, we're keeping our eyes on the horizon and hoping this little family might soon be joined by some more Southern Right mums and calves!

📅 Sunday, 26 July – Morning

With recent sightings pointing us towards Goolwa, our morning Southern Ocean Adventure headed east along the coast in search of the pair.

We found mum and her bub near Miami Cliffs, peacefully spending time together in the shallows. We watched from a respectful distance as they rested—a beautiful start to our Sunday morning on the water.

📅 Saturday, 25 July 2026

Another visit to Goolwa Beach and another sighting of our now-familiar Southern Right Whale cow and calf pair! Mum and her youngster continue to favour this stretch of Encounter Bay, providing another fantastic opportunity for our guests to observe them in their winter nursery.

🐋The First Southern Right Mum & Calf Have Arrived!

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After a slower-than-usual start to the 2026 whale season, we're thrilled to report that Encounter Bay's first Southern Right Whale mother and calf pair have now arrived!

These gentle giants have been moving between Goolwa Beach, Middleton and the southern end of Encounter Bay over the past week, giving our guests some truly memorable encounters. Here's how the last few days has unfolded:

📅 Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Following reports from local land-based whale watchers, our afternoon tour made its way towards Miami Beach and Middleton, where we were once again rewarded with wonderful views of the now familiar mother and calf pair.

📅 Monday, 20 July 2026

It seems Goolwa Beach has become a favourite nursery! Our morning tour once again located the mother and calf relaxing in the calm waters off the beach, delighting everyone on board.

📅 Sunday, 19 July 2026

AM: Our morning tour headed back in search of the pair and found them off Middleton Beach, where mum and calf were continuing to enjoy the protected waters of Encounter Bay.

PM: Later that afternoon, we encountered them again, this time having moved back towards Goolwa Beach—a great reminder that these whales can cover surprising distances throughout the day.

📅 Thursday, 16 July 2026

A very special day for the season! We were fortunate to find the first Southern Right Whale mother and calf pair to arrive in Encounter Bay. We spent time quietly observing them off Goolwa Beach, where they were happily resting and gently lolling about in the calm, sheltered waters.

While we're still (hopefully) waiting for more Southern Right Whales to arrive, it's fantastic to see the first nursery pair now calling Encounter Bay home. Every season unfolds a little differently, and although 2026 has been a later start than average, we're hopeful more mothers and calves will continue arriving over the coming weeks.

As always, whale watching is a true wildlife experience, and no two tours are ever the same. We'll continue sharing regular updates here as new arrivals are spotted and the season gathers momentum.

🐋Humpback Spotted!

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📅 Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Another exciting day out on the Southern Ocean yesterday, with our first tour of the day treated to a Humpback Whale sighting off the Victor Harbor coastline!

While we were fortunate to enjoy this encounter on our morning departure, the whale had moved on by the time our later tours headed out, so unfortunately there were no further whale sightings during the remainder of the day.

We're still patiently waiting for Southern Right Whales to settle into Encounter Bay. Their arrival has certainly been a little later than we would typically expect, but every season is different, and nature always works to its own timetable.

The encouraging news is that Humpback Whales are continuing to pass through our coastline on their northern migration, and conditions can change from one tour to the next. Every departure offers a unique experience on this spectacular stretch of the Fleurieu Peninsula, with dolphins, Fur Seals, Sea Lions and dramatic coastal scenery all adding to the adventure.

We'll continue updating our Whale Log as sightings increase throughout the season. Stay tuned—we're hopeful those first Southern Right mums and calves won't be too far away!

🐋Southern Right Sighting

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🐋 Southern Right Whale Sighting

📅 Thursday, 9 July 2026

Our first official Southern Right Whale sighting on tour for the 2026 season! 🎉

Following several reports of whale activity around Encounter Bay over the past week, our crew and guests were thrilled to spot a Southern Right Whale near Granite Island during this morning's Southern Ocean Adventure.

From a respectful distance, we watched the whale make its way through the sheltered waters of Encounter Bay before continuing on its journey.

It's been a slower start to the whale season this year, but with more sightings being reported—including our first cow and calf earlier this week—it's an exciting sign that more whales are beginning to arrive.

🐋 Whale season is underway… and we're hoping this is just the beginning!

Keep an eye on our Whale Log for the latest sightings, and if you're heading out on the water with us over the coming weeks, you might just witness one of these incredible giants for yourself.

🐋 Excitement is Building in Encounter Bay

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📅 Wednesday 08, July 2026 Shore Sighting

Just like the late start to the ski season this year, it appears the whales are running a bit behind schedule for our 2026 whale season. However, despite a slow start, the signs are increasingly promising!

Our crew aren’t always on board The Big Duck and today one of our staff spotted a Southern Right Whale cruising close to Goolwa Beach from shore, adding to the growing number of reports in the area. Although this encounter was not from one of our tour vessels, several of our staff have now observed whales from shore, suggesting more of this species are moving into the region.

Even more exciting, we've also received reports of the first Southern Right Whale calf in the area! A wonderful milestone and a sure sign that the annual migration is gathering momentum.

Our crew are constantly keeping watch - whether on the water or from the shoreline - so keep an eye on our Whale Log as we continue to share confirmed sightings throughout the season. We have a feeling the excitement is only just beginning!

🐋Another Southern Right Sighting!

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📅 Tuesday 09, June 2026

The sightings continue!

Following reports of activity in the Port Elliot area, we were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a Southern Right Whale off Chiton Beach during our afternoon tour. Observing from a distance, we watched the whale move through local waters before concluding the day’s tour feeling ecstatic.

It’s still early days! but consecutive whale sightings are an encouraging sign of what’s to come and we couldn’t be more excited.

🐋 First Southern Right Whale of the Season!

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📅 Saturday 06, June 2026

We are very excited to report the first official Southern Right Whale of the Season!

It seems it wasn’t just us enjoying the long weekend, with a Southern Right Whale making an early appearance. In a perfect piece of timing, this sighting coincided with Winter Whale Fest, Victor Harbor, adding even more excitement to a weekend dedicated to celebrating these magnificent marine mammals.

While it is still very early in the season, this encounter marks the beginning of what we hope to be an excellent whale season along our coastline, and a promising sign that more whales will be arriving to our sheltered waters over coming weeks.

🐋 Autumn Whale Surprise – Second Whale Sighting for 2026

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📅 Thursday 14, May 2026

What an incredible autumn surprise for our lucky guests aboard yesterday’s tour, with a humpback whale spotted cruising along the Fleurieu coastline. 🐋

While we are still early in the season, it’s exciting to already record our second whale sighting for 2026. Encounters like this are a fantastic sign and have us hopeful for the start of a bumper whale season ahead.

Each year, humpback whales begin their long migration along the “Humpback Highway” as they journey north toward warmer breeding grounds, before returning south later in the year. These early sightings are always something special and a reminder that whale season is just around the corner.

We are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first Southern Right Whales, which traditionally begin appearing along the South Australian coastline over the coming weeks and months.

Stay tuned to our Whale Log as we continue logging every whale sighting throughout the season. 👀🐋

🐋A Surprise Late-Season Whale Encounter

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After several weeks without a sighting, we had officially called an end to the 2025 Winter Whale Season. The southern migration for the Southern Rights was well underway, and while we held out quiet hope of catching one last glimpse of a Humpback, we had begun to shift our focus to our spring season ahead.

But nature always has a way of surprising us.

Today, just when we least expected it, a baby humpback calf appeared only metres from our vessel—startling both our guests and crew! Gasps of excitement and awe filled the air as the young whale dove beneath the boat, with its small dorsal fin breaking the surface of the ocean only 5m form the vessel.

Though brief, the sighting was nothing short of magical. To witness a humpback calf so close, this late in the season, was an incredible reminder of the wild beauty of our coastline and the ever-changing rhythms of the ocean.

It was the perfect closing chapter to the 2025 Winter Whale Season—a quick but unforgettable encounter that left smiles on faces and hearts full of wonder. Fingers crossed for perhaps another chance encounter of a Humpback or two?

🐋 Whale Log Update – Closing Weeks of the 2025 Season 🐋

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After several days without any new sightings along our operating coastline, it may be time to start calling the end of the 2025 Whale Season here on the Fleurieu. The Southern Right Whales that visit our region each year appear to have now moved on, wrapping up another wonderful season of encounters.

But we’re not quite ready to pack away the binoculars just yet—our fingers are crossed for some late-season visitors. Each spring, Humpback Whales begin their journey back south to the Antarctic after spending the winter months breeding and calving in warmer northern waters. While their migration routes usually follow the east and west coasts of Australia, we still occasionally enjoy lucky encounters as they pass through our waters.

As the season winds down, we’d like to thank all our guests who joined us on the water to share these incredible experiences. Your excitement and love for the whales make each encounter even more memorable.

Stay tuned—if any Humpbacks do cruise by on their way south, you’ll hear about it here in the Whale Log!

🐋Cow-Calf Pairs Delight Visitors as Season Nears Its End

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📅 Thursday 04, September 2025
We travelled to Port Elliot after further reports of whale activity in the area. Sure enough, as we rounded Pullen Island, we sighted a blow in the distance. Making our way carefully towards Frenchman’s, we observed the whale for about 20 minutes before departing to finish our tour.

📅 Wednesday 03, September 2025
With reports of whales near Basham’s Beach, we made our way down the coast. After slowing near Pullen Island, we soon spotted a couple of blows off Frenchman’s. From around 300 metres, we enjoyed watching them surface and roll in the swell before leaving them to continue their journey after 20 minutes.

📅 Sunday 31, August 2025
Our crew headed down towards Miami after reports of two cow-calf pairs in the area. We first spotted one pair loafing quietly, before noticing another pair just 250 metres away. We eased back to a safe 300-metre distance and were treated to a special sight as the two pairs moved towards one another and lingered together—an incredible encounter to witness.

The season continues to deliver beautiful encounters, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the next few weeks bring as we close out the Whale season for another year & these gentle giants begin their migration back to the Antarctic.

🐋Another double day!

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📅 Sunday 24, August 2025

We were thrilled to encounter Southern Right Whale mother and calf pairs on both of our 11am and 2pm Southern Ocean Adventure Tours today!

Departing from Granite Island, we headed east past Frenchman’s Rocks and out towards Middleton Beach, where both sightings took place. The mothers and calves were observed loafing in the relatively shallow waters — a behaviour typical in the nursery zone.

Passengers were delighted by the occasional spy-hopping, with the young calves lifting their heads above the water for a look around — always a magical moment!

These consistent sightings make now a fantastic time to join us on the water. Keep following our Whale Log for all the latest updates!

🐋What an exciting day on the water!

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📅 Wednesday 20, August 2025

Morning Tour: Our crew set course for Middleton after hearing reports of a Southern Right Whale cow and calf pair in the area. Near the Miami Cliffs, the calf surfaced directly ahead of the vessel, giving everyone a magical first encounter. We slowed down, keeping a safe 300-metre distance, and enjoyed watching the pair moving gently through the swell. After some time observing, we continued our journey back towards Seal Island to round out the tour.

Afternoon Tour: In the afternoon, we set out again to try and relocate the same cow–calf pair. This time, we travelled all the way down towards Goolwa before finding them loafing quietly in the shallows. Guests enjoyed another special sighting before we carefully continued south for over a kilometre to exit the sanctuary zone, allowing us to increase speed and carry on with the rest of the tour.

Two incredible encounters in one day — a wonderful continuation to the season!

🐋Whale Watching Magic: Spy-Hopping and Breaching Today

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📅 Tuesday 19 August, 2025

After a few quiet days with no whale activity on the water, it was a delight to welcome them back this morning on our Southern Ocean Adventure tour.

A mother and calf were spotted off Middleton Beach, treating us to an incredible encounter. Guests enjoyed watching as the pair displayed a range of behaviours, including tail slapping, breaching, and even a bit of spy-hopping.

It was a truly special sighting and a reminder of the magic these gentle giants bring to our coastline.