Winter Wildlife

Whale Update

Winter has arrived, bringing some incredible wildlife encounters to Phillip Island.

The first whales of the season are here! Our first sighting from a Wildlife Coast Cruises vessel was on 29 May, when a pod of five killer whales was spotted on our Seal Cruise. The pod included familiar individuals that have been seen along our coast for years, including a male known as Bent Left and a female known as Split Fin. A calf was also travelling with the group.

The pod was observed moving along Phillip Island’s south coast. Winter sightings of these killer whales are not unusual, as they often follow the humpback whale migration north in search of hunting opportunities.

Several humpback whale sightings were also reported during April and May. Since 6 June, at least three separate humpback sightings have been reported from The Nobbies, Pyramid Rock and Cape Woolamai. Some observers were lucky enough to witness spectacular breaches from shore.

Although rough seas prevented us from operating whale cruises over the weekend, whales were still spotted from our Cape Cruises. On Sunday, five humpback whales were seen off Cape Woolamai.

Today marked the first day of our whale cruises, and what a beautiful day it’s turning out to be! This morning a pod of three humpbacks was sighted during our Dolphin & Whale Cruise. Happy passengers and crew are enjoying these encounters and the sunshine.

The whale migration is now well underway, and we expect sightings to become a regular occurrence over the coming months. With calmer weather forecast, conditions should improve for anyone hoping to spot these gentle giants.

Download our free Wildlife Whales app for the latest updates and be sure to send us your sightings.

Seal Update

Australian fur seal pups are now reaching an important milestone as they begin weaning and prepare to find their own food. Over recent months, they have been developing essential survival and hunting skills and will soon venture further from Seal Rocks to begin life independently.

Visitors joining our Seal Cruise can expect to see hundreds of playful fur seal pups practising their acrobatic skills around the colony. Their curiosity often brings them right alongside the boat, providing unforgettable close-up encounters.

Dolphins and Seabirds

Winter is also an excellent time to encounter dolphins around Phillip Island. On any of our cruises, you may spot agile common dolphins or inquisitive bottlenose dolphins travelling through local waters.

Seabird sightings are also common during winter, with species such as the shy albatross, Australasian gannet and crested tern regularly seen offshore. These remarkable ocean-going birds are highly adapted to life at sea and are known for their impressive diving abilities.

So rug up, bring your binoculars and camera, and join us at Phillip Island this winter for an unforgettable wildlife experience.