Whale Watching at Terrigal
Terrigal Ocean Tours is a small family run business on the NSW Central Coast, Australia. They established the first specific whale watching tour operation in the area in 2018. Using a range of technology such as drones, hydrophones and shore-based lookouts they aim to give you the best possible wildlife experience at a fair price. Terrigal Ocean Tours has close links to local marine research groups and strongly support sustainable marine conservation.
Central Coast Darkinjung Country
We acknowledge that we live, work and play on Darkinjung Country. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and recognise their continued connection to these lands and waterways. We acknowledge our shared responsibility to care for and protect our place and people.
The Darkinjung people of the Central Coast celebrated the Humpback Whale “Torongnul” as one of their totems. Whales featured in the local dreamtime stories. Our area is rich in cultural and natural history and whales have been an important part of our coastline for many thousands of years.
Sustainable Eco Tourism
We are proud to announce that our business is certified by Ecotourism Australia. Our aim is to make a positive contribution to local tourism, the Central Coast community and the coastal environment by operating a sustainable family focused business. We achieve this by providing people with access and education about our beautiful marine environment, collaborating and working with conservation groups and providing a social network for people interested in marine conservation. We aim to make minimal impact on our environment in everything that we do.
Andrew Jones “Skipper” – An experienced offshore yachtsman with experience in boat charters, whale watching and the Royal Australian Navy. His qualifications include a Masters Degree in Coastal Biology and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. He has substantial experience working in conservation and is currently a representative on the Coastal Committee for Central Coast Council.
Sharyn Jones – With extensive experience in training and education, Sharyn is responsible for our interpretation material. She has a Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Sydney.
Ronny Ling – A dedicated advocate and expert in marine mammal conservation with a rich history of involvement spanning several decades. His journey began in the 1980s when he joined Greenpeace, demonstrating an early passion for protecting marine life. He studied Marine Biology at Newcastle University during the 1990s. Ronny has been deeply involved in various organizations dedicated to marine mammal conservation and research. As a member of the NSW Marine Fauna Advisory Group, Dolphin Research Australia, Marine Mammal Foundation, and a Life member of the Whale Conservation Society, he has contributed extensively to advancing knowledge and protection efforts in this field. Ronny served on ORRCA’s committee of management for over 20 years, including an impressive 17-year tenure as President. As ORRCA’s chief trainer he has trained thousands of members of the public and government authorities in marine mammal rescue. In 2016 Ronny founded the Central Coast Dolphin Project (now Marine Mammal Research Central Coast), and in 2022 was a co-founder of Marine Wildlife rescue Central Coast. Ronny has been involved in countless marine mammal incidents locally, nationally and internationally.
Jason Vineberg – A qualified Commercial Skipper and has a Bachelor of Science in Coastal Management. Research projects have included the fisheries dynamics of Chrysophrys auratus, Snapper in the Northern Rivers region and the morphology of Southern Right Whale testicles. Jason is also the surf boat captain at Wamberal Surf Club, which gives us a great deal of confidence in his ability to safely operate our tours.
Air Operations – We are very lucky to be supported by several highly experienced drone pilots / photographers. These include Chris Dick, Ahmet Saner (pictured) and Philip Chatys. They gather many stunning aerial images of whales and our guests can often view aerial photographs taken during their tours. More importantly they have helped establish the NSW Central Coast as a key component of the Humpback whale migration route showing images of whales breeding, calving and feeding on our coastline. Significantly Chris and Ahmet sighted and photographed the very rare Pygmy Blue Whale passing our coastline in May 2023.
Annabel Hoysted – Our key contact for bookings and makes sure that things run smoothly on the beach. She is currently studying Coastal and Marine Science at the University of Newcastle.
Our registered business names are;
Terrigal Ocean Tours PTY LTD
Terrigal Aqua Dive Fishing Charters PTY LTD
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