The closest whale watching cruise to brisbane, tangalooma operates the largest dedicated whale watching vessel in australia. From headlands, whales may often be seen making their migration south. Adelaide and south australia whale watching world guides. The chance to snorkel with these gentle giants is the opportunity of a lifetime and visitors from all over the world head to the ningaloo reef during whale shark season to. Here on our beautiful west coast, from may december the humpback, southern right whales and the rare blue whales, can be seen on their epic migration, from the foodrich southern ocean, as they hug the coast and journey north, to warm breeding grounds of kimberley coast. Whale app app wild about whales nsw national parks. The two most popular whalewatching spots are at opposite ends of the coast. Whale watching sydney offers daily cruises from darling harbour and circular quay to watch humpback whales. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Whale watch western australia season 2016 whale watch western australia. Or join one of the daily research expeditions to bremer canyon, where the largest known pod of killer whales. Whale and dolphin watching department of agriculture. Spot seals, dolphins, seabirds and whales in season in their natural environment. Many of these coastal parks and reserves provide excellent viewing opportunities for whale watching. Viewing season whale watching along the coastline of south australia has become a popular attraction for visitors and locals in adelaide.
Explore inaccessible areas of coastline, islands, and beaches in our 11. Killer whales australia works in collaboration with colleagues to build an understanding of australias top level marine predator. Watching a 30tonne whale leap out of the water and crash back into the waves is an incredible sight, only to be followed by the graceful elegance as the whales glide past your vessel. Whale watching season for southern rights in this region is between june and october, when they swim closest to the shores.
Its hoped a record number of humpback and southern right whales will pass the nsw coast this year. Best time for whale watching in australia about australia. Spot whales from australias most easterly point, the cape byron lighthouse and wander along the cape byron walking track, which offers great ocean views. Best times for swimming with whale sharks essential. Physical copies of this map are available during whale season may to september from the sa whale centre at 2 railway terrace, victor harbor. Sa whale migration starts in may and finishes in october, with frequent sightings of these giants of the deep occurring between june and september. Join a cruise to see the whales as the migrate around the coast of australias south west. Season 2015 has had some incredible moments and these are just a few of many that will stay with us forever. We explore when and where to go whale watching from brisbane each year. Both state and federal laws protect whales and dolphins, including the distances that boats, swimmers and aircraft may approach. The season is split into two distinct sections depending on the direction of travel of the majority of whales at that time. Species listed under the epbc act threatened and listed migratory species. The big duck boat tour is victor harbors spectacular ocean adventure experience.
In march 1837 captain blenkinsopp opened one for sydney merchant robert campbell at. There are two lookouts around ballina and a viewing platform at iluka bluff near evans head. Our winter whale season has finally arrived, and we are so excited to share even more of these absolutely magical experiences with you. The high cliff line provides fantastic views for the landbased whale watchers, and boardwalks are available at head of bight to take visitors to two main. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. Whale watching in south africa home brand south africa. Whale watching in south australia each winter south australia has the privilege of watching southern right whales gather on its pristine shores. More than 60 percent of the worlds whale population can be found in australian waters, where numbers have grown steadily over the last twenty years. The high cliff line provides fantastic views for the landbased whale watchers, and boardwalks are available at head of bight to take visitors to two main viewing areas, one to the east and one to the west of the main pathway. There are a number of whale watching tours and viewing spots available close to adelaide, in and around victor harbour, which lies 83 km 52 miles to the south. The whaleplanner november a whale watching infographic.
End of junejuly and then october is probably the best time of year for whale watch in sydney. Whale watching in australia is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity along various. The sa whale centre has gathered important whale watching guidelines, to help you know the law when whale watching this season. Take the plunge and explore our parks, go whale watching and discover what there is to see and do. For those keen on spotting whale sharks in maldives, the best option is to secure a base hotelresort in the south ari atoll as the region is renowned as a whale shark hotspot and will give you easy access to the local whale shark tour packages or the opportunity to organise your sighting tour from the. Check out our pick of the best whale watching vantage points, tours and accommodation in nsw. We are so confident you will see the whale of your tour, we offer a 100% guaranteed return tour for free. Our big, beautiful friends are beginning their migration north to the warmer waters of the pacific to. With up to 35m long it is the largest animal to have ever lived on our planet. The relevant state legislation, administered by the department of environment and water, is the national parks and wildlife act 1972 and the national parks and wildlife protected animals marine mammals regulation.
Plan your next coastal adventure with australias first official whale watching guide to new south whales. Whale watching, nature and wildlife, victoria, australia. Australia is fortunate to have many whale and dolphin species use our waters, making it an ideal place to participate in whale and dolphin watching. From end of september until december they are going back south to the antarctic feeding ground for the southern hemisphere summer. In eastern australia, whale watching occurs in many spots along the pacific coast. The longest whale watching season follows the epic annual migration of humpback, southern right whales and the rare blue whale, from the foodrich southern ocean in the south west to the warm breeding grounds on the north kimberley coast. Since late april this year, we have spotted the humpback whales of the coast of mooloolaba. Commercial whale and dolphin watching operators form an important naturebased industry that attracts a large number of tourists to coastal towns. Whale watching is a popular activity in sydney, so to receive the best rates on a whalespotting cruise try looking on the outskirts of the season, meaning early april and late november. Whale watch western australia whale watching perth. South coast whale watching from whalewatching cruises to clifftop lookouts in scenic national parks, there are many ways to enjoy whale watching season on the beautiful nsw south coast. Select a region to find the perfect whale watching spot for you. The humpback whale migration in the summer months, southern humpback whales spend their time feeding on krill in the antarctic, but as the water temperature falls, they begin their annual trip north to the subtropical waters of australia and beyond to mate and give birth. The whalewatching season in mossel bay runs from june to november, when four species are seen.
Southern right whales visit south australian shores during our winter months to mate, calf and. Consequently, at least 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises are found in australian waters including 10 large whales, 20 smaller whales, 14 dolphins and one porpoise. Welcome to one of the longest whale watching seasons in the world. New south wales national parks and wildlife took an active role in 2010 during the peak southern whale watching season between may and november with the launch of its whale watching site. Spectators on both the east and west coasts have the chance to enjoy their own whale show, twice a year, as the mammals travel to and from antarctica for what should be known as the worlds longest lunch feasting on all types of fish, krill, and plankton. South australian whale watching guidelines sa whale centre. See how the season progresses with the whale sightings counter. Just a reminder or a heads up for anyone visiting adelaidesa that it is currently whale watching season here, which is quite popular amongst visitors, and its currently quite busy down at the victor harbour whale. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalized advertising. Whale watching southern right whales at head of bight take up residence for an entire 5 month period between june and october and generally remain within a 15km long section of coast. And with whale shark season right around the corner, heres all you need to know about this gentle giant. Between may and december, humpback, southern right and blue whales make their way along western australia. We get to see southern right whales around 45 times a season.
The whalewatching capital of australia, hervey bay, is a popular spot for our biggest coastal visitors, the humpback whales from june to november. Ningaloo whalesharks operate whale shark tours from the 15th march to the end of september each year, which covers the entire ningaloo whale shark season in exmouth, and we consistently have swum with whale sharks most years at these times. Whale watching season starts in nsw posted june 01, 2011 10. Physical copies of this map are available for the duration of whale season from the sa whale centre. They can be found at various locations, albany, augusta, dunsburough. Sightings usually begin around midmay and eagerly awaiting whale watchers gather atop the cliffs and headlands of the areas stunning coastline, hoping to spot the first whale of the season. Kayak next to whales with ep cruises, the great australian bight, eyre peninsula.
The humpback whale migration passing sydney takes place between april and december each year. Further south, muttonbird island nature reserve and coffs coast regional park are fantastic whale watching vantage points. Every year along the southern coast of australia youll see southern right whales migrate to the bays of victoria and south australia to give birth. Essential information for your whale shark dive when are the best times to swim with whale sharks. It was already in operation at kangaroo island before the colony was established in 1836. Whale watching nsw whale watching season, activities. With western australia being the countrys largest state, where better to discover the worlds largest fish. Whale watching australia 2017 sydney, gold coast, hervey. Australias extensive coastline provides a wide range of aquatic habitats. Whale watching season starts in nsw abc news australian. Sunreef mooloolaba offers australias first swim with humpback whales experience, from july to october each year, premiere whale watching aboard the iconic whale one from june to november as well as local reef dives, snorkelling trips and diving on the exhmas brisbane as well as a wide variety of hire gear from jetskis.
They dont migrate like the humpback whale does and there are not as many. Sunreef mooloolaba is the largest dive centre in south east queensland. Some resorts and hotels in the maldives offer diving programs and other excursions in water. Success rate is 98% and all cruises are guaranteed to see whales. Use the map below to identify locations on our sightings log as well as known local whale watching hot spots such as bashams beach and petrel cove. In south australia whales are watched in the great australian bight marine park areas and. Best custom built, fast and spacious vessels to give you the best day possible out at sea. More than 7,000 whales holiday in the fraser coast on their 5,000km migration from antarctica to teach their baby calves sweet skills like breaching, spy hopping, tummy flashes and plenty of other survival tools. After the official settlement of south australia two baywhaling, or onshore whaling, stations operated from victor harbor. At this time of year females with new born calves usually are seen closer to the shore. Whale watching south australia tours spirit safaris.
The australian coastline provides bountiful opportunities to observe any number of whale species on their annual migration. About whales whale watching cruises sydney, australia. Sydneys best whale watching cruises with more than 25 years of experience. The southern right is the most commonly sighted, coming into the bay to calve, but look for humpback, brydes and orcas as well. More than 400,000 people per year watch the southern right whales off south africa. In warnambool, victoria, blue whales are occasionally seen in may. The migrating population is named the group 5 southern hemisphere humpback whale population or the australian east coast humpbacks.