Whale spotting: where to see the annual migration

In winter, we can see humpbacks and southern right whales in and around Flinders Bay, Augusta. The humpbacks are beginning their long journey north, meanwhile, southern right whales live in the cooler waters and take a shorter journey each season.

They migrate between Antarctica and the south coast of Australia, usually spending winter between Augusta and Esperance in Western Australia, before heading south in spring.

Whale-watching tours run from Augusta Boat Harbour from late May through to August. Just a 30-minute drive south of Margaret River, these twice-daily boat tours usually depart around 10am and 2pm.

The whales leave the feeding and breeding grounds of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica in winter, and travel north to the warm waters of the Kimberley region where they give birth.

They whale cows suckle their calves in the protected waters of Camden Sound Marine Park, the “maternity ward” for around 35,000 humpback whales. Calves are nurtured in the tropical waters while they build up strength for the 3000km+ journey back to the Antarctic.

Then in spring, we see the humpback whales return in Geographe Bay and along the Cape to Cape coast. By this stage the whales have had their young, and as they are often travelling with a calf on the southern migration, they tend to stay much closer to the shore than they do when heading north.

The whales follow the continental shelf, hugging the coast as they travel south through the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, playfully breaching, diving and showing off their water-skills. The southerly ocean current hugs the coast, so they tend to do a clockwise tour of Geographe Bay, passing Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and Cape Naturaliste, and they often come so close to shore that you can see them with binoculars or the naked eye from several lookout points.

Whale-watching tours in Geographe Bay depart Dunsborough and Busselton from the beginning of September to mid-December.

There’s no better way to witness the magic of whales than out on the water. A guided whale-watching tour lets you see these incredible creatures up close, while learning about their behaviour, migration patterns, and the marine environment from experienced local operators.

• All Sea Charters Whale Watching
• Naturaliste Charters
• Whale Watch Western Australia 

If you’re on a budget or don’t have sea legs, try your luck at one of these great lookouts. The best time of day is around midday, when there’s less glare on the water. You’re more likely to see a whale when the water is calm.

• Cape Leeuwin and Flinders Bay, Augusta – there are numerous vantage points along Leeuwin Road, and you can enjoy fantastic views from the top of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse on a tour.
• Hamelin Bay – 18km north of Augusta, south of the boat ramp, follow the boardwalk up to the limestone headland.
• Gnarabup – if you’re lucky, you can see them leaping whilst sipping a coffee at White Elephant Beach Café, venture up the dunes behind Grunters for a higher viewpoint, or head to Surfers Point.

• Cape Naturaliste Lookout Platform and Lighthouse – take the walk trail to the whale-watching lookout, it’s 1.3km return from the lighthouse car park.
• Point Picquet – a fantastic rocky point above deep water where rare blue whales have been known to swim past. It’s where the local conservation group does its whale monitoring.
• Shelley Cove, Bunker Bay – walk from the car park to the viewing platform above the limestone cliffs.
• Yallingup, Rabbit Hill Lookout – continue past Dawson Drive into the national park for an elevated lookout spot.
• Canal Rocks Rotary Lookout – 4km south of Yallingup, take the 400m walk from the car park.