Humpback migration September
Whale Watch
& Listen
Supported by
About This Expedition
See them. Hear them. Help record them.
September brings the humpback migration into one of its most exciting stages. As whales begin their journey south from the breeding grounds, mothers travel with their calves — often taking their time and staying together as they make the long journey back towards Antarctica.
If you are going to head out on the water for one whale expedition this year, make it this one.
But this is not just about watching whales. We are going listening. Using our new underwater hydrophone, we will spend time recording the sounds beneath the surface — capturing the songs, calls and underwater soundscape of the whales and their environment.
You do not need to be a whale expert. Just bring your curiosity, your eyes and your ears. We will do the science together.
We are not just watching whales. We are going listening.
the water
boat-based
welcome
sound recording
On the Day
What we will be doing
A morning on the water looking, listening and recording.
01
Look for humpbacks
Search the coastline for humpbacks and calves as they move south, and watch for surface behaviour — breaching, tail slaps and resting mothers with young.
02
Listen beneath the surface
Deploy our hydrophone and record the underwater soundscape: whale song, calls, and the background sound of the reef and open water.
03
Photograph and document
Capture whale encounters and any other marine life we meet along the way, with notes on behaviour, direction of travel and group size.
04
Record observations
Log what we see and hear so the encounter becomes a record, not just a good morning out.
05
Learn as we go
We talk through whale behaviour, migration routes and how humpbacks communicate, as it happens in front of you.
06
Add to the record
Everything we gather feeds our living record of local marine biodiversity along the Tweed Coast.
What to Bring
Come prepared for a morning on the water
We provide the vessel, the hydrophone and the briefing. You bring yourself and warm layers.
- Warm layers — it is cooler on the water than on shore
- Windproof or waterproof jacket
- Camera or phone with a zoom if you have one
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen
- Water and a snack
- Seasickness tablets if you are unsure, taken before boarding
Event Details
Meeting Point
Fingal Head Boat Ramp, NSW
When
September 2026 — date to be confirmed
Cost
$119 per person
Format
Boat-based · approx. 3 hours
Skill Level
No experience needed
Group Size
Limited — book early
Whales always have the right of way. We observe responsibly and follow all NSW marine mammal approach-distance requirements.
September 2026
Come whale watching — and whale listening
Numbers are limited by the boat. Register your interest and we will confirm the date and booking details.