The soft, haunting sounds of whales left me speechless. That feeling of awe, it turns out, is changing how people behave long after the tour ends. A new study from Australia's Sunshine Coast suggests whale songs are doing more than entertaining—they’re driving real environmental change.
Emotions felt at sea linger after the journey ends
The research was carried out by the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, where thousands gather yearly to watch humpback whales migrate. Scientists joined whale-watching and swim-with-whale tours off Mooloolaba over three seasons. They gathered acoustic data using underwater microphones from vessels operated by Sunreef, a local tourism business.
Visitors listened to whale songs, tail slaps and pre-recorded underwater audio through boat speakers. Researchers encouraged guests to reflect on how they felt while observing and listening. Tourists later shared feelings of calm, joy, humility and awe, which were measured through interviews and surveys.
The results showed these strong emotions, especially awe, were more intense when hearing whale sounds rather than just seeing the animals. These emotional reactions had lasting effects on how visitors viewed the ocean.
Whale songs fuel desire to protect the ocean
Participants said the experience inspired them to recycle more, cut waste and support marine conservation. Lead researcher Vikki Schaffer told ABC News that sound plays a powerful role in how people form connections with nature. She noted that tourism often focuses only on sight, but listening creates deep, lasting memories.
Schaffer also stressed the importance of protecting underwater soundscapes, which are often disrupted by human activity. She said sound is not just vital for marine life, but also for humans trying to build emotional connections with the ocean.
Tourism industry sees long-term value in emotional impact
Sunreef manager John Fell said the findings help the wider tourism industry understand how immersive experiences work. He explained that successful tours go beyond entertainment—they aim to inspire guests to care for the marine world.
Schaffer added that the study supports global efforts to use tourism as a tool for conservation and education. She believes emotions like awe can create lasting change in how travellers act when they return home.
“We want people to leave with more than pictures,” she said. “We want them to carry a sense of responsibility for our oceans.”
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