Whale watching, South West Two whale seasons, one coast
Tourism WA says whale-watching tours run from Augusta between May and August, and from Dunsborough and Busselton between September and early December. So if you're reading this in spring, the Dunsborough and Busselton boats are out now. Here's where to watch, from a jetty, a cape or a boat, and how to give the whales room.
- September to early December
- Geographe BayTours from Dunsborough and Busselton, says Tourism WA
- May to August
- AugustaTours from town, and whales from the lighthouse
- Most often seen
- HumpbacksTourism WA calls blue whales rare and endangered
- No boat needed
- Jetty or capeBusselton Jetty, June to September; Cape Leeuwin, May to August
Give them room
Whales are wild animals, and the humpbacks have come all the way from Antarctica. Watch from a respectful distance and let them decide how close they come.
Parks and Wildlife sets the rules for watching whales on the water. If you're heading out in your own boat, kayak or board, read them first on Parks and Wildlife's whale-watching page.
On land, watch from the lookouts and the paths. No spout is worth standing on a rock edge for.
Four places to watch, bay to cape
Busselton Jetty, the Dunsborough boats and Cape Naturaliste, then all the way down to Cape Leeuwin. Scroll down and the line follows the coast with you.
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STOP 1
Busselton Jetty
Start here, because you can watch from the jetty without booking a boat. It runs 1.841 km out into Geographe Bay, and the train takes about 45 minutes out and back, if you'd rather ride than walk.
The jetty's own page says it's not unusual to see humpbacks from the jetty between June and September. Along the West Australian coast, it says, the most are seen from June to August. They usually travel within 20 km of the coast, and often within 5. Twice, whales have been seen within 20 metres of the Underwater Observatory. Nobody can book that, but it helps to know when you're standing at the end with cold hands.
If you're making a day of it, our Busselton guide has the rest of the town.
Jetty1.841 km out into the bayTrainAbout 45 minutes returnPramsOn the walk, not the train -
STOP 2
Dunsborough: the boats
If you want to get closer, this is where the boats go from. A Dunsborough whale-watching operator puts its season at August to November, with charters leaving from Quindalup, near Dunsborough. Tourism WA's guide says tours from Dunsborough and Busselton run from September to early December. The two calendars don't quite agree, and the whales keep neither. Either way, spring is the time.
The same operator names humpbacks and blue whales as its main sightings, with minke and southern right whales now and then. Tourism WA calls blue whales rare and endangered, so count one as a very good day rather than a promise.
Check what's running with the operator and book direct. For the rest of the day, our Dunsborough and Yallingup guide has the beach, the lighthouse and a cave.
BoatsFrom Quindalup, near DunsboroughSeasonSpring, into early DecemberLook forHumpbacks, blue whales if you're luckyNew makers, once a month
One short email a month: the makers we have added, what is in season, the odd gift list.
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STOP 3
Cape Naturaliste: the view from the top
Up at the cape, the lighthouse is a 20-metre limestone tower, first lit in 1904. The Capes Foundation runs the tours, and the ticket takes in the museum and grounds as well.
Parks and Wildlife lists Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park among the South West's whale-watching spots, and one of the short walks around this cape is called the Whale Trail. We can't promise the whales have read the sign.
Bring binoculars and a jumper. Look for the spout first, then the whale.
Lighthouse20 m, first lit in 1904WalksLighthouse Loop and Whale TrailBringBinoculars, a jumperIf it rains
The lighthouse tour and the museum are the dry part of this stop. Save the walks for a clearer day, when a spout is easier to spot anyway.
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STOP 4
Augusta and Cape Leeuwin
At the bottom of the capes, Augusta runs to a different calendar. Tourism WA says tours from Augusta go out from May to August, and the Capes Foundation says that between May and August you may spot whales from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, migrating along the shore.
By spring, Augusta's season is over for the year, and the boats are out at Dunsborough and Busselton instead. Put Augusta in the diary for next May. In the meantime, our Augusta and Cape Leeuwin guide has the lighthouse, its 176 steps and the rest of the town.
SeasonMay to AugustFrom landCape Leeuwin LighthouseFrom the waterTours from Augusta
Whale watching questions
Where can you go whale watching in Dunsborough?
Charter boats go out from Quindalup, near Dunsborough. One Dunsborough operator puts its season at August to November, and Tourism WA says tours from Dunsborough and Busselton run from September to early December. The operator names humpbacks and blue whales as its main sightings. Check current tour times with the operator before you go, and see our Dunsborough and Yallingup guide for the rest of the day.
Can you go whale watching in Augusta?
Yes, from May to August. That's when Tourism WA says tours run from Augusta, and the Capes Foundation says you may spot whales from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse over the same months. From September, the tours run from Dunsborough and Busselton instead. Our Augusta and Cape Leeuwin guide covers the rest of the trip.
When is the best time to see whales in Busselton?
Busselton Jetty's own page says it's not unusual to see humpbacks from the jetty between June and September, and that along the West Australian coast the most are seen from June to August. Tourism WA says tours from Busselton and Dunsborough run from September to early December. So anywhere from June to early December is worth a look, and the jetty is the easy place to start.
Can you see whales from land?
Yes. Busselton Jetty's page says humpbacks usually travel within 20 km of the coast and often within 5, and whales have twice been seen within 20 metres of its Underwater Observatory. Further south, the Capes Foundation says you may spot whales from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse between May and August. Bring binoculars, and give it time.
What whales can you see in WA?
Parks and Wildlife names humpback, southern right and blue whales as the whales that migrate along Western Australia's coast, between May and December. Tourism WA says humpbacks are the ones you're most likely to see, and calls blue whales rare and endangered. A Dunsborough operator also counts minke whales among its occasional sightings.