An unforgettable trip to Eden
Dr. Michelle Blewitt & Bill Fulton onboard ‘Cool Bananas’ for Eden Whale Research
There are some moments in life that leave you speechless, moments where the world feels bigger, more alive, and more connected than you ever imagined. My recent trip to Eden, NSW, with the Living Ocean team was exactly that.
I was incredibly lucky to be invited by Bill Fulton, Committee Member and Project Leader of Marine Mammal Research for Living Ocean, to join a dedicated crew of ocean lovers and researchers on a mission to study humpback whales during their southern migration. For seven incredible days, we called Eden home, a coastal town famous for its deep blue waters, rich history, and whales that pass close to shore on their long journey back to Antarctica.
Life on the Water
Each morning, our team gathered at the Eden marina to prepare for the day’s research. Ross Taylor, a recent Living Ocean committee member, had kindly driven down from Sydney with his vessel Cool Bananas, which served as our primary research platform throughout the week.
Living Ocean Eden Whale Research Crew onboard Cool Bananas Boat
Weather conditions dictated our daily schedule, but we were fortunate to spend time on the water almost every day. Ross and Sam Barrip alternated in operating Cool Bananas, both demonstrating impressive skill and care. Operating a vessel around whales requires a deep understanding of marine safety and navigation, and their experience was essential for ensuring compliance with the official whale approach guidelines.
Ross Taylor, Lois Philipps and Bill Fulton
Once on the water, we began scanning the horizon for whale blows or surface activity. Each sighting initiated a careful approach, maintaining the required distance while observing and recording the whales’ behaviour. Using the BeHayve app, we logged detailed behavioural data in real time, including surface intervals, group composition, and directional movement, to help track the whales’ migration south.
Behavioural Observations & Data Collection
Throughout the week, we observed countless pods of humpback whales - mothers with calves, playful juveniles, and the occasional solitary adult gliding south with purpose. Using the BeHayve app, we recorded their behaviours, tracked their migration paths, and mapped sightings with remarkable precision. Developed by Bill Fulton, BeHayve is a powerful tool that allows both scientists and citizen scientists to collect detailed behavioural data in the field. The app enables users to log specific behaviours, including breaching, tail slapping, spy-hopping, and pec-slapping, alongside GPS coordinates, timestamps, and movement direction. Each entry contributes to a growing dataset that helps researchers monitor the health, migration patterns, and social dynamics of the east coast humpback population.
When conditions weren’t suitable for the smaller boat, we joined Sapphire Coastal Adventures, a local whale-watching operator that generously supported our research. From their larger vessel, we continued to collect BeHayve data, recording multiple breaches, tail throws, and other surface-active behaviours that further contribute to understanding the energetic and social activity of migrating humpbacks.
Why you should join Living Ocean
Joining Living Ocean has truly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s not just an organisation - it’s a community of passionate ocean advocates, scientists, photographers, divers, surfers, and everyday people who want to protect what they love.
Memberships start from as little as $5, making it accessible for students, volunteers, and anyone who simply loves the sea. Whether you want to get involved in research, community clean-ups, education, or just support conservation from afar - there’s a place for you here.
And if reading this made you wish you were in Eden with us, surrounded by whales, Living Ocean is always welcoming new members and volunteers for upcoming projects and fieldwork opportunities.
Keep an eye on our blog for more stories, especially our upcoming deep-dive on the BeHayve app, and follow us on Instagram @living_ocean for updates, breathtaking photos, and ways to get involved.
Protecting marine life starts with curiosity, care, and the dedication to turn knowledge into action.