A world-renowned area for whale watching, Western Australia is sure to please nature and animal lovers of all ages. In this article, you'll find out what magnificent whales you can see, as well as where and when to see them.
Awe and wonder await you in the waters of Western Australia, so jump in!
Although the waters off the coast of Western Australia shelter and nourish all sorts of sea turtles, dolphins, seals, penguins, and more, the main draw for many marine spectators is the whales making their annual migrations.
Blue whales swim through the ocean off the coast of Western Australia.
The world's largest mammal will leave you awestruck, even though these gentle goliaths feed on krill.
In the summer, blue whales congregate off the southern Australian coast to chow down on swarms of krill. As autumn approaches, they follow the krill to Perth Canyon to continue feeding for several weeks in anticipation of the long migration ahead. From there, they travel north into international waters in the wintertime, around the Banda Sea.
They birth their calves and raise them in the relative warmth of more tropical waters, heading back to the Bonney Upwelling to start the cycle all over again.
Two humpback whales jumping out of the water off the WA coastline.
Once nearly extinct, humpback whales have made a truly epic comeback, with tens of thousands making their yearly, 4-6 month journey to and from Antarctica and the Kimberley region.
The world's biggest humpback migration happens in Western Australia. In the winter, humpback whales start northwards during their breeding season, the destination being their usual nursery grounds in more tropical waters. There is a lot of activity along the way, with male humpback whales vying for females, and young ones frolicking and learning from their elders.
Female humpback whales who have finished weaning the calves born in the previous year, juveniles, and the 'bachelors' start heading back south as the seasons change. Then come the thousands of newborn humpback whale calves and their mothers making their way back into Antarctic waters.
Southern right whales swim through the open water.
Having survived a tragic era of extensive whaling, the southern right whale numbers are slowly but steadily rising, with the females giving birth to single calves every few years.
Like the humpbacks, the southern rights travel north from the waters off Antarctica during the winter. Because of their immense blubber reserves, they don't need the warmth of tropical waters.
Their nursery grounds are closer to Flinders Bay, along shallow waters by the coast. Southern right whales start heading back south towards late spring, back to their summer feeding grounds around Antarctica.
Killer whales (Orcas) swim side by side in the ocean.
Also known as orcas, these apex predators are actually the largest kind of oceanic dolphin.
They are found in all the oceans of the world but tend to have higher numbers in colder waters. Clever and communicative with their series of clicks, pulsed calls, and whistles, orcas have strongly bonded matrilineal pods.
Marine wildlife can be viewed throughout the year, but if your main goal is to behold the beautiful behemoths in Western Australian waters, you might want to consider the following.
Whale watching in WA is most rewarding between May and December (whale watching season in WA), when the humpbacks, southern rights, and blue whales travel along the WA coast — frequently coming close enough to the shore that you can see them with (or even without) binoculars.
There are popular whale watching vantage points all along the coastline, from the Margaret River region north to the Kimberley coast. Starting in the south and moving north, these are just a few places where you will find the best whale watching in WA.
For orca watching, you can do no better than Bremer Bay, especially between January and March, where you may also see sperm whales and pilot whales. Southern right whales birth their calves here in July.
Whale tail statue at the Esperance Foreshore in WA’s southwest.
Summerstar Tourist Parks offer memory-making caravan vacation venues for all budgets. A caravan vacation at any Summerstar site is perfect for a family getaway for whale watching and so much more. You'll find our caravan parks near some of the better-known whale-watching hubs, such as Kalbarri, Broome, Margaret River, and Jurien Bay.
Additionally, our tourist parks in Busselton, Carnarvon, Esperance, Geraldton, Horrocks Beach, and Walpole are located in the vicinity of whale watching tours. Contact us for more information and take a look at the amenities and activities at each of our caravan parks.
It's time to reconnect with the majestic marine mammals and the very best of what Western Australia has to offer.
When can you see whales in WA?
Between May and December, humpback whales and blue whales travel along the Western Australian coastline, with some being within eyesight. For best viewing, it’s recommended you bring binoculars so you can enjoy a closer look at these magnificent creatures.
Where do whales migrate to when passing Western Australia?
Our most common whales that migrate down the coast of Western Australia, and the south coast of Australia come from Antarctica.
When can you see whales in Esperance?
The best time to see whales in Esperance is during the winter months, ideally between the months of June to October. As winter is the start of whale watching season in WA, consider booking a winter adventure down to the south coast of Western Australia to enjoy these gentle giants as they journey past our state.
When can you see whales in Margaret River?
If you’re hoping to see whales during your stay in Margaret River, plan your holiday around the months of June to early December. This will give you the best opportunity to see blue whales, humpback whales and more as they make their way along the coast.
