🐋 Whale Log: Mother & Calf Spotted off Middleton

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Saturday 19 July

This morning, our crew was treated to a beautiful and peaceful encounter with a Southern Right Whale mother and her calf just past Pullen Island near Middleton.

We observed the pair loafing about for a good 20 minutes — calmly resting and gently surfacing in the still waters. The calf stayed close to mum’s side, occasionally rolling and nudging, while the mother floated almost motionless, soaking up the quiet of the morning sea. It was one of those serene moments where time seems to slow down, and you’re reminded just how special these creatures are.

After some well-earned rest, the pair gradually drifted into a nearby swell line and moved off with the rolling ocean. No rush — just the kind of graceful departure you’d expect from seasoned travellers of the sea.

Encounters like these are part of what makes the winter season so rewarding. While we don’t run dedicated whale-watching tours, we always keep a sharp lookout and prioritise sightings like this when conditions allow.

Stay tuned — the season’s far from over, and there’s no telling what other beautiful moments the whales might bring.

– The Big Duck Team 🐬

🐋 Whale Sighting Update – Triple the Thrill!

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Wednesday 16 July

What a day on the Southern Ocean! On today’s 11am Southern Ocean Adventure, guests experienced the magic of winter whale season in full force—with three whales spotted near Boomers Beach.

We encountered a Southern Right Whale Cow-Calf pair leisurely loafing in the bay, along with a third adult whale putting on a show with impressive tail slaps & pectoral fin displays.

A breathtaking experience and an unforgettable moment for all on board! 👏🐳
Three whales. One epic tour.

It’s also important to mention that while we have had great success with Whale sightings over the past week, we don’t see Whales on every tour! Even with Southern Rights arriving into Encounter Bay & Humpbacks passing through, sightings can’t be guaranteed on out tours. We love seeing these incredible mammals & a Whale sighting makes for a special memorable treat.

🐋 Whale Sighting Update – A Double Delight!

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Tuesday 15 July 2025

An unforgettable afternoon on the water! On today’s 1pm Seal Island Tour, guests were treated to an incredible sighting of a Humpback Whale cruising near Seal Island—complete with spouts and surface glides.

Then, just an hour later on our 2pm Southern Ocean Adventure, a Southern Right Whale made a stunning appearance down towards West Island & the Waitpinga Cliffs!

Two different species, one epic day—winter whale season is well and truly underway! 👏🐳

Excuse me, can we get through!

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Monday 14 July

Our very lucky crew had a Southern Right Whale SRW so close to the Causeway & Screwpile Jetty on Granite Island, that we had to wait until the Whale had moved on before taking our vessel to our boarding location to begin our first tour of the day!

We were still lucky enough to see a Southern Right Whale on tour aswell, out towards West Island. Fingers Crossed that we start to see more & more Southern Rights & hoping for a bumper July/August season.

🐋 Southern Rights and Humpback Updates 🐋

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🐋 Whale Log – Friday 11 & Sunday 13 July

Friday 11 July
A Southern Right Whale was sighted off Middleton near Miami Boulevard, just beyond the swell zone. Although conditions made viewing slightly more challenging, we were able to observe the whale surfacing several times before it moved further offshore.

Sunday 13 July
An action-packed morning near West Island! We encountered a Humpback Whale actively tail- and fin-slapping, travelling alongside a pod of dolphins. A second Humpback surfaced nearby just minutes later. To top it off, we were treated to a rare sighting of an Ocean Sunfish basking at the surface — a real highlight for the crew and guests alike.

Weekend Whales

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🐋 Whale Log – Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July

Saturday 5 July
A Southern Right Whale was observed moving slowly near the causeway. We maintained distance, gradually reversing away as the whale cruised toward the Bluff.

Sunday 6 July
While en route to Port Elliot, a whale spout was sighted about 1km offshore. We approached at low speed and travelled alongside the whale for approximately 40 minutes as it moved toward Granite Island. The whale remained in the bay as we departed.

Weekend Whales

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Another spectacular weekend of whale activity along the coast.

21 June – A Southern Right Whale was sighted south of West Island during our 2:00pm tour, observed giving several strong spout blows.

22 June – A group of two Humpback Whales put on an impressive display of breaching seen from a distance. Additional Humpbacks were later sighted as we made our way back toward Seal Island.

The season is well underway, with more remarkable sightings each week.

End of Whale Season 2024

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Unfortunately, our beloved mother and calf southern right whale pair, Shamrock and Paddy, haven’t been spotted since the 18th of August. It seems they have most likely begun their long voyage back to Antarctica for the warmer months.

While it’s unlikely we’ll see any more southern right whales this season, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a chance to spot some humpback whales as they pass through on their journey from the northern parts of Australia.

Tricky Whales

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We're thrilled with the amazing weather we're experiencing right now! A big thank you to everyone who joined our tours over the weekend.

Here's your whale update for the week: Sightings have become a bit trickier as Shamrock and her calf, Paddy, prepare for their long journey back to Antarctica. Shamrock needs to move up and down the coast to help strengthen Paddy’s swimming abilities, which unfortunately makes it challenging for us to locate them during our tours.

We’re still offering Southern Ocean Adventure cruises, where we do our absolute best to show you the majestic Southern right whales. However, please remember that these are wild animals, and we can't control their day-to-day whereabouts.

Sightings over the week:

6/8/24 - Shamrock & Paddy at Frenchman rocks

7/8/24 - Shamrock & Paddy at Bashams beach

8/8/24 - shamrock & Paddy at Watson Gap, and 2x Humpback whales at Flat iron rock

10/8/24 - Shamrock & Paddy at Middleton (2pm cruise)

11/8/24 - No sightings

12/8/24 - No sightings

Keep and eye out on SA whale centre log for more sighting updates!