Pacific Whale Foundation Australia

03/08/2026

August is here, and so are the whales! 🐳🌊
In Hervey Bay, this month marks one of the peak periods to witness curious, juvenile whales up close and personal. Imagine being just a pectoral fin away from these gentle giants as they visit our waters and approach us on their own terms. It's an experience our guests today will never forget!
Tours are booking out fast, so don't miss your chance to get up close and personal with these incredible, sentient animals. Book your spot now and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Don't wait until it's too late, as our spaces are limited and we don't want you to miss out 💙
To book, simply call 1800 454 310 or visit our website at https://pacificwhale.com.au/ to secure your spot today! 📅
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01/08/2026

Get ready to be inspired!
🐳 Locals, unlock 20% off your whale watching adventure!

🎉 As a resident of Hervey Bay (4655), Maryborough (4650), Tiaro (4650), Burrum Heads (4659), Howard (4659), Torbanlea (4662), Gympie (4570), Cooloola (4880), or Rainbow Beach (4581), call 1800 454 310 to redeem your exclusive discount!

📞 Today's 12pm departure still has seats available, or visit us at Shop 1, Great Sandy Straits Marina.

By booking with us, you're supporting education, conservation, and research that makes a real difference!
🌟 Guaranteed sightings from 15 Jul to 9 Oct.
https://pacificwhale.com.au/

28/07/2026

Tail Up Tuesday! 🐋
Did you know a humpback whale's ventral fluke pattern is as unique as a fingerprint?
The unique pigmentation, scars, and trailing edge of the fluke allow researchers and citizen scientists to identify individual whales, track their movements, estimate survival, document calving histories, and even reveal migrations spanning thousands of kilometres—sometimes across international borders!
Every time a whale lifts its tail before a dive, it provides an opportunity to contribute to conservation. A single photograph can help identify a known whale or even document one for the very first time, adding another piece to the puzzle of its life history.
Have you ever photographed a humpback fluke? You might just have captured an individual that has been seen before! Our research team submits these images to , contributing to our catalogue of more than 6,000 individually identified humpback whales since the early 1980s.


https://pacificwhale.com.au/

27/07/2026

🐋 It's officially mugging season in Hervey Bay!
No, not the kind that involves your wallet...
A "mugging" is the term whale watch crews affectionately use when curious humpback whales choose to approach and interact with a stationary vessel. Rather than us approaching them, it's entirely the whales' decision to investigate.
During a mugging, whales may linger alongside the boat, beneath the hull, roll, spy hop, or display spectacular pectoral fin and tail slaps at remarkably close range. These encounters can last from a few minutes to over an hour. Our guests today were lucky enough to get eye to eye with a beautiful subadult whale from our purpose-built vessel.
So why is it called a mugging?
Because once whales voluntarily approach within 100 metres of a vessel, Queensland whale watching regulations require the skipper to place the engines in neutral (or switch them off where appropriate) and remain stationary until the whales move away. In other words... the whales have taken over the boat! 🐋
If you're lucky enough to experience a mugging, you can help keep these incredible animals safe by:
• Never touching whales or dolphins—we can frighten them or transmit zoonotic diseases.
• Avoiding sudden loud noises or movements.
• Letting the whales control the interaction—they always choose if, when and how long they stay.
These voluntary encounters by resting whales are one of the many reasons Hervey Bay is recognised as a World Whale Heritage Area. They're a privilege, not an expectation, and every respectful interaction helps ensure whales continue to return here year after year.
Have you ever been "mugged" by a humpback whale?
Sightings guaranteed 15th Jul - 9th Oct
To Book Call 1800 454 310
or visit https://pacificwhale.com.au/

14/07/2026

What a way to start the week! 🌈🐋

Our valued guest and talented photographer, Joel Bennett from New Zealand, captured this unforgettable moment on Monday—our first humpback whale breaches of the 2026 season during Monday’s pre-season whale search! As if that wasn’t enough, he also spotted a dingo roaming K’gari’s remote western beach.

If this is how the season begins, we can’t wait to see what unfolds over the coming months.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our guests. By joining us on the water, you’re helping to support our ongoing legacy of whale research, education, and community outreach. Together, we’re inspiring and advancing marine conservation through science, education, and advocacy.

Here’s to another incredible whale season! 💙

Call 1800 454 310 to book
Or visit https://pacificwhale.com.au/
Guaranteed sightings 15 Jul to 9 Oct
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10/07/2026

What a great turnout for the Blessing of the Fleet 2026 in its new location! A big shout out to the team at Fraser Coast Tourism & Events for making it happen and all of the stall holders. Visit Fraser Coast

08/07/2026

05/07/2026

A little bit of dolphin magic from our recent early-season whale search. ✨
Our guests were lucky enough to witness a group of at least 15 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins appearing to forage near a relaxed, juvenile humpback whale travelling on its own.
Did you know researchers can identify individual dolphins by the unique notches, shapes, and scars on both sides of their dorsal fin? Much like a fingerprint, each fin can help scientists recognize individuals over time and better understand their movements, associations, and habitat use.
Moments like these are a beautiful reminder of how much life is moving through our waters at the start of
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Guaranteed Sightings or return free 15 Jul – 9 Oct
🏡 Locals discount available — call us or drop into the Ocean Store at the Great Sandy Straits Marina
💻 Or book online and save 10%
🔗 pacificwhale.com.au | 📞 1800 454 310

01/07/2026

What a way to begin our early-season whale searches! 🐋🌈
Yesterday's trip delivered a truly memorable start to the season, with dolphins and humpback whales observed in close association — followed by synchronous breaching against the spectacular backdrop of a double rainbow over K’gari!
Check out this incredible young subadult humpback whale, showing a distinctive pigmentation pattern. This striking mottled appearance is sometimes described as “Pollock-style” pigmentation, and some scientists have suggested it may reflect a form of genetic hypopigmentation.
Encounters like these are a powerful reminder of why responsible whale watching matters. Every trip helps support Pacific Whale Foundation Australia’s research, education, and conservation work, while allowing guests to experience these animals with respect, curiosity, and care.
Here’s to a promising season ahead, and thank you to all our guests for joining us. 💙