MV Explorer is Jervis Bays newest and most modern cruise vessel. She was specifically designed and purpose built for dolphin and whale watching by Phil Curran one of Australia’s most respected naval architects. Her design features ensure passengers get the best possible viewing in absolute comfort.
Dolphin Explorer Cruise can still boast that it is the only cruise company at Jervis Bay that has the original owners. When experience counts cruise with Dolphin Explorer Cruises.
Her design features include:
- Unique in her design her low profile ensures a low centre of gravity resulting in unmatched stability and passenger comfort.
- Three decks, all with uninterrupted views
- The lower deck has both indoor and outdoor areas with lounge stye seating in the spacious saloon.
- The main sundeck surrounds the bridge providing passengers with uncrowded 360-degree viewing. Her forward viewing sundeck is unique in cruise vessel design and provides passengers with a view that only the skipper sees on other vessels.
- The lower foredeck is a popular viewing deck as it normally gets you the closest view of the dolphins and whales. Here your just 1.5 meters away from the action.
- In full NSW Maritime Commercial Vessel Survey for inshore and offshore cruising.
- Fully equipped for both inshore and offshore cruising ensuring your first class safety and comfort
- Max passenger numbers limited to 75 to provide uncrowded cruising
- Max speed 18 knots, cruising speed 12 knots.
Our Crew
The skippers and crew at Dolphin Explorer Cruises are by far the most experienced in Jervis Bay. Combined they have 35 years experience and knowledge cruising these waters. When it comes down to getting the most from your cruise experience counts.
Whale
Watching FAQ
Q.
What types of whales will I see?
The majority of
whales sighted at Jervis Bay are the Humpback whales, which migrate along
the east coast from June to November. However we do see other species
on occasions such as Southern Right whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas,
Minke whales and on one occasion we sighted the largest of all the Blue
Whale.
Q.
What are the chances of sighting whales?
Dolphin Explorer
Cruises, Jervis Bay's original whale watching cruise company have been
whale watching in Jervis Bay since 1998. Our level of experience will
ensure you have the best possibility of sightings. On average the chance
of sightings has increased over the last few years as the whale numbers
increase. The success rate is about 95%
Q.
Does the sea get rough?
There will always
be some motion of the boat when in the open sea, however our vessel MV
Explorer is specifically designed for the open ocean and as such provides
passengers with the most comfortable ride possible. However if our experience
tells us that the conditions are unlikely to provide a comfortable ride
the cruise may be cancelled. All cruises should be confirmed the day prior
your booking.
Q.
Will I get a good look at the whales?
Regulations dictate
how close we are able to approach the whales, generally 100m however whales
can be inquisitive and often approach the boat at close distances. MV
Explorer is specifically designed with three viewing decks with unobstructed
views to ensure everyone has a good vantage point.
Q.
Where is the best spot on the boat to see whales?
All the decks
provide excellent viewing but generally the decks forward of the bridge
are the best.
Q
What will the whale watching experience be like.
Every viewing
is different and that adds to the expectation of the cruise. Some days
we observe the whales as they continue there travels along the coast,
on other occasions we find them resting and most occasion we observe them
either breaching, tail slapping or pectoral fin slapping.
What
to look for when Whale Watching
No doubt you will
be anticipating and wondering what your experience will be like. Whale
watching is about patience and understanding that we are indeed in the
whales environment. When they grace us with their presence, it's a gift.
The gift cannot be controlled or timed. In their natural environment,
whales will be whales, mostly swimming, sounding and occasionally displaying
some of their particular behaviours. It's a privilege to be an observer.
We hope your experience will leave you with a greater understanding of
whales, there precious environment and what you can do as an individual
that will make a difference to their world and ours.
 Blow: The 2-3
metre cloud of vapour above the waterline.
 Breach: The 45
tonne body rears out of the water with just a few beats of the tail
 Pectoral fin Slap:
One /both flippers are raised slapping the water.
 Fluke up dive:
The large tail is lifted to show the underside or flukes as it "rounds
out" to dive.
 Dorsal "Round
Out": The back of the whale bends into the classic hump posture as the
whale surfaces.
 Tail Slap: The
whale forcefully slaps the tail in a horizontal or sideways movement.
DID
YOU KNOW?
Humpback Whales
have:
" Little or no sense of smell or taste.
" Very sensitive skin that is easily sunburned.
" Remarkable eyes with strong muscles that change the shape of the lens
so they can see in the air or underwater.
" Incredible hearing ranging over many kilometers for navigation communication
and finding food.
" Calls or songs that travel hundreds of kilometers. .
" Pectoral fins that are ten times longer than your arm.
" Tail Flukes that often feature black and white markings on the underside
that can be used to identify individual whales.
" An average weight of 45 tons, which is about 1000 children together
" An average length of 15 -17 meters which is about 10 adults lying head
to foot
" An eye the size of a grapefruit
" No pores or sweat glands
" A belly button
" Calves that are fed daily over 400 litres of rich milk that is the consistency
of condensed cream.
" An expelled breath or "blow" that reaches a speed of between 300
- 500 kilometers per hour as it exits through the blowhole.
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