28 Aug 2023

Close to the Action: Encountering Humpback Whales and more at Freshwater Cove

This morning we were treated to some incredible encounters with several Humpback Whales breaching close to Heritage Adventurer; we spent time out on deck admiring these magnificent mammals before setting off on our Zodiac cruise around Freshwater Cove where we enjoyed more unforgettable encounters with these giants of the deep.

The highlight of the morning, and one of the top experiences of the voyage, was the breaching of a Humpback Whale near our Zodiacs. It was a life-changing moment to be sure being in the presence of this magnificent marine mammal as it hurled its massive body into the air, awed by its power, grace and sheer size.

We also observed a pair of Osprey hunting, one had caught a large fish and was circling above us. We explored into mangrove channels and around rocky islets, where birds such as Eastern Curlews, Whimbrels and Eastern Reef Egrets were using the islets as a refuge, several Zodiac groups saw crocodiles, and Humpback Dolphins while an Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagle were having a mid-air altercation.

After lunch our Captain repositioned Heritage Adventurer to Montgomery Reef where we set off on our Zodiac cruise to experience this amazing phenomenon firsthand. As the tide drops this reef 'rises' several metres out of the water revealing coral and cascading waterfalls with Eastern Reef Egrets feeding on the fish trapped in the pools and lots of Sea Turtles popping their heads up for a breath of air.

Our Zodiac drivers took us up a deep-water channel, which once upon a time was a valley in a mountain top. Over time, as sea levels rose, a reef started to grow on top of this limestone platform. The reef is remarkable considering the pools of water on top of the reef are almost completely exposed to the elements every day including extreme temperatures of up to 40 degrees.

To top off an incredible day, on our way back to Heritage Adventurer our expedition team dropped us off onto a small sand cay where our hospitality team had set up a beach bar and we watched the sun go down with a chilled glass of champagne in hand.

Image (c) by: J.Thurman