Humpbacks making the trek north as part of the annual migration were seen breaching, spyhopping and lobtailing for passengers aboard Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, one of the only operators that was able to take visitors out on the water across the weekend due to the large size of their vessels being equipped to handle hazardous surf conditions.

Janene Rees, Moonshadow's business development manager, said it had been "great" to see its vessels full again after the past two COVID-affected years. She added that it was also positive to see international visitors back in Port Stephens again.

"We have some great visitation coming through from the UK, Europe and Singapore," she said.

"It's really nice to see those markets making a comeback after a dismal two years. Now that international borders are open again, domestic markets will be heading overseas.

"The whales are just fantastic and there's plenty of them to see. With the weather in July looking fantastic, based on long forecasts, I think we'll be in for a bumper school holiday whale watching season.

"Port Stephens is regarded as one of the best whale watching destinations on the east coast."

Ms Rees said she has seen the whale population significantly rise in the 17 years she had been working with Moonshadow, climbing from 7000 to an estimated 40,000.

It was hoped that the popular human whale event, where people form the outline of a humpback on Fingal Beach, would return in the July school holidays. Organiser Frank Future said planning was underway to run it in the September holidays.

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