WHALE-WATCHERS on board a sight-seeing cruise at Port Stephens had a magical encounter with members of the Humpback Highway.
On board Moonshadow-TQC's MV Osprey whale watch cruise around 1.30pm on Saturday, August 24, the group was surrounded by a pod of 'mugging' whales.
Mugging refers to the whales behaviour of approaching the vessel at close proximity, and the boat is required to wait until the muggers decide to swim away.
In this instance, the whales hung around and circled the cruise for over half-an-hour, Moonshadow TQC business development manager Sean Andrews said.
"We are absolutely thrilled to share the excitement of the recent whale watching experiences we have had onboard Moonshadow-TQC Cruises," he said.
"Our guests have been treated to spectacular displays, including breaches, muggings, and mesmerising sky-hopping behaviour."
He said the past week has been nothing short of incredible encounters with these magnificent creatures, who are a major drawcard for the seaside region of Port Stephens, as thousands of tourists jump aboard whale-watching cruises from May to November.
"We are now on our third day in a row of getting mugged by both northbound and southbound Humpback whales," he said.
"The weather as of late has been spectacular, affording us the opportunity to see these majestic creatures in pristine conditions."
"We are starting to see more whales heading back down south, and we are looking forward to seeing more newborn calves, and hopefully more of those breaches that we all know and love."
