418 Dive Log Australasia JUNE 2026.pdf

Humpback Highway E very winter, something remarkable happens off the coast of Jervis Bay. As the coastal wattles burst into bloom, the Humpback Highway opens once again and tens of thousands of humpback whales begin passing our coastline on one of the longest migrations on earth. Travelling between Antarctica and the warm breeding grounds of the Great Barrier Reef, these giants move through the waters of the NSW South Coast in numbers that are difficult to comprehend — and for a few extraordinary months each year, we are lucky enough to share the ocean with them. Dylan and Lara Boag Woebegone dive Jervis Bay

Eye contact with a humpback whale in deep blue water is the kind of moment that changes you forever. Ebb @seathroughthelensphotography

What makes this migration even more remarkable is that, not long ago, humpback whales were pushed to the brink of extinction. At the height of industrial whaling, populations along Australia’s east coast were reduced to an estimated few hundred individuals. Today, their extraordinary recovery stands as one of conservation’s greatest success stories — a testament to strong science, environmental protection, and decades of conservation efforts. The return of the Humpback has not only restored a vital part of the marine ecosystem but also transformed coastal communities, bringing millions of dollars in eco-tourism revenue to regional towns. It is powerful proof that protecting wildlife and supporting local economies can go hand in hand. At Woebegone Dive, whale season has become the heartbeat of our winter. What began as a Freediving school in Jervis Bay has evolved into something much bigger: a family business built around meaningful experiences in the ocean, genuine marine conservation, and creating encounters that leave people forever changed.

Our whale swims are at the centre of that story. Unlike traditional whale watching, this is not an experience viewed from the railing of a crowded boat. This is an in water encounter with humpback whales — entirely on their terms. Every interaction is governed by strict permit conditions, ethical operating procedures, and an enormous respect for the animals themselves. There are only two operators permitted to conduct whale swims in New South Wales, and Woebegone Dive is proud to be one of them. What makes Jervis Bay such a unique place for these encounters is geography. The bay sits roughly halfway along the migration route, and its calm, protected waters offer whales a place to rest during their journey. Uniquely, Jervis Bay protrudes from the NSW coastline like a giant baseball glove scooping whales in from the open ocean as they travel north and south. As one of the deepest natural harbours in Australia, the bay provides sheltered waters close to the continental shelf, creating an ideal resting point

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DIVE LOG Australasia #418 - June’ 26

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