From Catamarans To Capes, Here’s Your Guide To Whale Watching In The South West
The South West of Australia is pristine, renowned for its breathtaking beaches, epic surfing and fine wines. However, it's also home to something even more magical: it's a whale-watching haven. Each year, these spectacular giants of the ocean migrate along our coast, providing one of nature's most awe-inspiring spectacles. Roughly 35,000 humpbacks, southern right, minke and blue whales make their way past the south west corner of Western Australia annually, creating unforgettable experiences for anyone lucky enough to witness them.
When is the whale watching season?
Image Credit: Whale Watch Western Australia | Website
The whale watching season in Australia’s South West is one of the longest in the world. Spanning May to early December, opportunities to see these majestic creatures are plentiful. The season kicks off in Augusta from mid-May and in Albany from late May, continuing until early October as whales head north. From September to mid-December, on their return south, they hug the coastline, stopping in Geographe Bay to rest and raise their young.
You can witness these incredible animals from the shore, a lighthouse, or one of the many whale watching tours. Sometimes, all it takes is to sit quietly and scan the horizon—if you’re patient, the rewards are unforgettable.
An exception to this migration is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest pod of orcas, which gather 50 kilometres offshore at Bremer Bay Canyon between January and March.
Best Spots For Whale Watching
Cape to Cape Track
Margaret River Region
Image Credit: Naturaliste Charters | Website
Stretching between Cape Naturaliste near Dunsborough and Cape Leeuwin near Augusta, the Cape to Cape Track follows more than 125 kilometres of rugged coastline, delivering some of the South West’s most uninterrupted whale watching spots. Elevated clifftop sections and purpose-built lookouts offer prime vantage points as humpback and southern right whales migrate past the coast, often resting or calving close to shore. Standout viewing spots include Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Sugarloaf Rock and the Whale Lookout Walk, where whales can frequently be seen breaching, tail-slapping and travelling through these exposed ocean waters.
Flinders Bay and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Augusta
Image Credit: Elements Margaret River
Winter transforms Flinders Bay into a front-row seat for whale action. Southern right whales gather close to shore with their calves, while humpbacks steal the spotlight—breaching, spy-hopping, and tail-slapping through courtship displays. It’s one of the rare places on the planet where these two species interact, making every sighting truly spectacular.
There are multiple roadside lookouts along Leeuwin Road, but the standout vantage point is the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. From the top, sweeping coastal views frame the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans, creating a dramatic stage as whales move through these powerful waters.
Geographe Bay
Busselton and Dunsborough
Image Credit: TripAdvisor
After giving birth in warmer northern waters, whales return along the South West coastline, with many moving into the calm, protected waters of Geographe Bay, which lines the coast of Dunsborough and Busselton. The sheltered bay provides an important resting and nursery area, bringing mothers and calves close to shore for extended periods. This makes it one of the region’s most reliable places for whale watching from the shore.
In Busselton, the 1.8-kilometre heritage-listed Busselton Jetty offers elevated, uninterrupted views across known migration routes, while the beaches around Dunsborough provide multiple vantage points where whales can often be seen resting, surfacing and travelling just offshore.
Torndirrup National Park
Albany
Image Credit: Albany Tours
Take a stroll along Torndirrup National Park’s rugged coast, where rocks predate life itself. Hit the 300m return Gap & Natural Bridge walk for jaw-dropping views and prime whale-watching. Or, swing by Frenchman Bay, Albany Wind Farm Lookout, and Salmon Holes for binocular-worthy breaching, spouting, and cruising humpbacks and southern right whales, all of which are perfect spots to catch nature putting on a show without having to leave the land.
Best Whale Watching Experiences
Naturaliste Charters
Bremer Bay, Busselton, Dunsborough, Augusta And Albany
Image Credit: Naturaliste Charters
For an unforgettable whale-watching adventure along Western Australia’s South West coast, set sail with Naturaliste Charters. Bremer Bay is Australia’s top spot to see orcas hunting in pods and breaching along the wild coastline, while seasonal tours from Augusta and Dunsborough take you into Geographe Bay to spot humpbacks, blue whales, and dolphins. Aboard the 23-meter catamaran, enjoy stable viewing platforms, expert guides, pro photography, and snacks as you chase unforgettable marine encounters. With a 99% chance of a wildlife sighting, the stories you’ll have will be absolutely legendary.
AllSea Charters
Augusta, Busselton and Dunsborough
Image Credit: AllSea Charters
Set sail with AllSea Charters from Augusta, Busselton, or Dunsborough for a whale-watching adventure you won’t forget. Humpbacks, southern right whales, and dolphins glide alongside as expert guides point out all the action. Comfy boats, epic ocean views, and pro tips make it easy to relax and enjoy the ride. Bring warm layers, a camera and your sense of adventure—the team is so confident you’ll see whales, they’ll send you out again for free if you don’t.
Whether you’re scanning the horizon from a clifftop, wandering a national park trail, or out on deck with Naturaliste or AllSea Charters, the South West delivers a front-row seat to some of the world’s most exquisite whale encounters.