Humpback whales are known for their show stopping breaching, tail slapping and head lunging as well as another behaviour known as ‘mugging’.

Jessica Millar of Merimbula Marina said they are often ‘mugged’ by humpbacks, meaning the whale’s close interaction with passengers as they circle around the boat. 

“There has been a lot of action out there, yesterday we were mugged by two juvenile humpbacks,” she said.

“It certainly doesn’t happen everyday, of course it is on their terms that they come this close to the boat which is stationary with motors off.

Ms Millar said young whales are most likely to be about throughout September where as mother’s and their calves hug the coastline and pass through in October and November.

“Over the past three and a half weeks we have seen whales on all cruises but we have had to travel out wide because the majority are further out at the moment,” she said. 

“Today we saw 20 whales in the vicinity, at the moment there are a lot of juveniles and sub-adults coming through.

“There has been lots of life, we see not only whales but a lot of common dolphins and seals,” Ms Millar said.

For more amazing whale action shots visit Merimbula Marina’s Facebook page.