FAQs

Here you will find a list of some of our most frequently asked questions

For all other queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact page, or call us on 1300 388 893. We are available to to answer your call from anywhere in the world 24 hours a day 365 days a year!

ARE WHALE SIGHTINGS GUARANTEED?

You are guaranteed to see the whale of your tour or you are welcome to travel again free of charge. Our guarantee is in place as we have a very accurate sighting record, however we are interacting with wild whales and should the unlikely event of a no sighting day occur you have peace of mind in knowing you will be able to join us again at no charge to sight the whale of your tour.

HOW CLOSE CAN WE GET TO THE WHALES?

During our experiences it is important to respect the whales we are interacting with at all times to ensure their comfort and to observe natural behaviour. Our vessel will not approach whales closer than 100 meters as stipulated in our whale interaction licensing. The whales are welcome to approach our vessel as closely as they wish and will only approach if they feel safe, which is achieved by keeping a respectful distance.

WHEN CAN I GO WHALE WATCHING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA?

Whale Watch Western Australia is the only company in Australia who operate whale watch experiences all year. Depending on when you would like to go whale watching or what species you would like to see relates to our available experiences throughout the year that follow the different whale migrations and seasons.

JANUARY TO MARCH
Bremer Canyon Orca Experience

Sighting – Orca, Sperm Whale, Pilot Whale, Oceanic Dolphin species, Sunfish, NZ Fur Seals, Australian Sea Lions and migratory seabirds.

MARCH TO MAY
Perth Canyon Blue Whale Experience

Sighting – Blue Whales, Oceanic Dolphin species, Sunfish and migratory seabirds

MAY TO AUGUST
Augusta Whale Watch Experience

Sighting – Humpback Whales, Southern Right Whales, Dolphins and migratory seabirds

SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
Perth Whale Watch Experience

Sighting – Humpback Whales, Dolphins and occasional sightings of Southern Right Whales and Blue Whales

HOW BIG IS THE BOAT?

Our vessel is the largest and most luxurious whale watch vessel in Western Australia. Designed purposely for ecotourism experiences, Steep Point is 25 meters in length and 7 meters wide with five viewing platforms over three levels.

DOES THE BOAT GET CROWDED?

We cap our vessel numbers to ensure a comfortable and uncrowded experience for our guests. Larger vessels enable more room onboard for guests to freely move throughout their tour and onto different viewing platforms and levels. The average number of guests onboard are 30 – 60 on most experiences with the Steep Point’s capacity comfortably carrying 150 passengers but capped at 72 guests maximum to ensure no crowding.

ARE TOILETS ONBOARD?

Yes, there are two restrooms located onboard that are large and easy to use.

CAN I BRING FOOD ONBOARD?

There are cafe and eftpos facilities onboard and certain tours will have food and drink refreshments included. Should you have dietary requirements or young Children you are welcome to bring a small amount of your preferred food and drink onboard.

ARE TOURS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

All of our experiences are family friendly and it is largely dependant on your Childs experience onboard vessels and type of experience you would like to join. We have onboard toy boxes, colour in pages and blankets for the enjoyment and comfort of Children onboard.

HUMPBACK WHALE EXPERIENCES
Our Humpback season operates over six months and is a perfect experience for all age groups including infants. The tours are approximately two hours in duration and this shorter time frame is ideal for guests who have not travelled on a boat before or have a busy travel itinerary.

ALL DAY EXPERIENCES
Our Orca and Blue Whale Experiences are suitable for Children over ten years of age and with previous ocean travel experience. These all day tours are a wonderful opportunity for older Children to sight some of the most elusive whale species in the world. We must be mindful that it is a long day at sea for Children and their suitability to join the tour is dependant on their age, experience and each individual.

ARE TOURS SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?

Yes, tours are perfectly safe for pregnant women but we do recommend consulting with your doctor should you suffer from morning sickness or are susceptible to motion sickness.

DO CONCESSION/SENIOR RATES APPLY?

Our concession rate is available for valid concession card holders, Australian pensioner, current and Veteran Soldiers, Australian Emergency Service Personnel (Police, Fire, Ambulance) and disability card holders.

DO YOU SUPPORT COMPANION CARDS?

Yes, Whale Watch Western Australia supports the Companion Card and will provide a free of charge ticket for the companion of the guest travelling. Please contact us before booking to organise your tickets and the companion card will need to be shown on checkin.

DO I NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?

We do recommend booking your experience in advance to reserve your preferred departure date.

HOW DO I BOOK A TOUR?

Bookings can be made online, via email or by calling 1300 388 893.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

Please see our terms and conditions for further information.

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?

There is available parking at all of our departure locations, please check your departure location. Fremantle – paid parking located at Sardine Jetty approximately $2.00 per hour Augusta – free parking available at the Augusta Boat Harbour for cars, buses and caravans Bremer Bay – free parking available at the Bremer Bay Boat Harbour for cars, buses and caravans

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

We recommend a warm jacket on all of our experiences as the sea breeze can be cool. A rain jacket or poncho should rain be forecast and flat shoes are important when onboard vessels for your safety and ease of moving around the vessel.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

A jacket is recommended even on warm days as the sea breeze can be cool, sunglasses, hat, camera and motion sickness medication if required.

DO I NEED TO BRING A CAMERA?

Our onboard photographer will be collecting photos of your tour and these will be available to download free of charge from our Daily Report. You are most welcome to bring your own camera with you and feel free to share your images through our social media and help with our photo ID collection of Western Australian whales!

WHEN DO I NEED TO ARRIVE?

Please check your departure times and location on your booking confirmation and make sure you are ready to board at the advised boarding time. For the respect of all guests the vessel must depart strictly at the advised departure time and is not able to wait alongside jetties longer than the advised boarding time due to Department of Transport laws.

WILL I GET MOTION SICKNESS?

Everyone is an individual and we do recommend speaking with your doctor or local chemist if you believe you may be susceptible to motion sickness. Please prepare with motion sickness medication as recommend by your health care professional and this has been proven to lessen the likely hood of becoming unwell. We recommend that preparation is always the best option for guests.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO FEEL UNWELL?

Our crew are trained in keeping our guests comfortable throughout their entire experience onboard and will always be available to assist. Should you feel unwell our crew will assist in making you comfortable and will be very attentive to your needs which include fresh ginger, hot/cold packs, electrolytes, comfortable bean bags, hospitable grade motion sickness bags and personal tips to assist each individual.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?

Our vessel is the largest and most luxurious whale watch vessel in Western Australia and has many covered areas so rain does not affect your tour. We do recommend bringing a rain jacket or poncho should showers be forecast so you can still enjoy the outside areas without getting wet.

WHAT HAPPENS IN ROUGH WEATHER?

Whale Watch Western Australia has a duty of care to our guests and we have a 100% safety record and will not operate in extreme weather. Our team constantly monitors the weather forecast for all tours and will advise guests of any adverse weather, please make sure to leave our team with your appropriate contact details so we may advise you of any changes to the weather forecast.

WHO IS THE COMPANY OWNED BY?

We are Western Australian family owned and operated all year! Our family is onboard to ensure you have the very best personal experience and five star service. Whale Watch Western Australia is proud to be a sixth generation Western Australian family whose history began in Pearling. We pride ourselves on safety, customer service, quality and attention to detail whilst on and in the greatest oceans and most isolated coastline in the world, the Indian and Southern Oceans of Western Australia. There is over 100 years of experience in and around the rivers and oceans of Western Australia and the disciplines learnt are inculcated throughout our team.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

You will Learn the Language of the Whales with Whale Watch Western Australia. We specialise in teaching our guests all about the language of the different species of whales that we interact with over our different seasons. Our live and educational commentary is run throughout your experience so you understand with in-depth information and stories the life of the amazing whales of Western Australia. Our wish is for you to depart being able to speak fluent whale and share your newfound knowledge with family and friends which will ensure that the education of whales is continued. Your time onboard is more than an experience, it is an education!

CAN WE LISTEN TO THE WHALES?

We have an onboard hydrophone that is available to be used when the opportunity arises. Weather conditions must be suitable with light winds and the species of whale is also important as some can communicate more frequently than others. We find that Pilot Whales and Humpback Whales are the main species of whale we can listen to with our hydrophone and when they are within a close proximity to our vessel. You will also have the opportunity to listen to recordings should our whales not be heard through our live hydrophone.

HOW MANY WHALES CAN WE SEE?

Every tour is different and the amount of whales we can sight on one day or tour is dependant on what whales are around at the time. On average five whales are sighted on each tour and on some occasions we may only sight one whale or break a record for the amount of whales sighted in one day.

CAN WE SWIM WITH THE WHALES?

We are licensed to interact with the many whale and dolphin species that can be sighted in Western Australian waters. Swimming, touching or feeding of the whales is prohibited as they are wild and we must not interfere with their natural behaviours.

ARE WHALES DANGEROUS?

No, we have never had a whale or dolphin act aggressively towards us as this is not in their gentle nature. They are curious and gently towards the boat with many individuals so friendly they sometimes spend over an hour interacting with everyone onboard! Whales and dolphins must be respected at all times and the best way to whale watch is simply observe their natural behaviour.

WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BEST FOR WHALE WATCHING?

There is no specific time of day or weather that is best for whale watching. The most important factor is how many whales are within the area you will be visiting which is why there are specific seasons in place to ensure the best opportunity for sighting whales.

FAQs

Here you will find a list of some of our most frequently asked questions

ARE WHALE SIGHTINGS GUARANTEED?

HOW CLOSE CAN WE GET TO THE WHALES?

WHEN CAN I GO WHALE WATCHING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA?

HOW BIG IS THE BOAT?

DOES THE BOAT GET CROWDED?

ARE TOILETS ONBOARD?

CAN I BRING FOOD ONBOARD?

ARE TOURS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

ARE TOURS SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?

DO CONCESSION/SENIOR RATES APPLY?

DO YOU SUPPORT COMPANION CARDS?

DO I NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?

HOW DO I BOOK A TOUR?

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

DO I NEED TO BRING A CAMERA?

WHEN DO I NEED TO ARRIVE?

WILL I GET MOTION SICKNESS?

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO FEEL UNWELL?

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?

WHAT HAPPENS IN ROUGH WEATHER?

WHO IS THE COMPANY OWNED BY?

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

CAN WE LISTEN TO THE WHALES?

HOW MANY WHALES CAN WE SEE?

CAN WE SWIM WITH THE WHALES?

ARE WHALES DANGEROUS?

WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BEST FOR WHALE WATCHING?

#whalewatchwesternaustralia

Part of the whale watch family

FAQs

Here you will find a list of some of our most frequently asked questions

ARE WHALE SIGHTINGS GUARANTEED?

HOW CLOSE CAN WE GET TO THE WHALES?

WHEN CAN I GO WHALE WATCHING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA?

HOW BIG IS THE BOAT?

DOES THE BOAT GET CROWDED?

ARE TOILETS ONBOARD?

CAN I BRING FOOD ONBOARD?

ARE TOURS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

ARE TOURS SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?

DO CONCESSION/SENIOR RATES APPLY?

DO YOU SUPPORT COMPANION CARDS?

DO I NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?

HOW DO I BOOK A TOUR?

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

DO I NEED TO BRING A CAMERA?

WHEN DO I NEED TO ARRIVE?

WILL I GET MOTION SICKNESS?

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO FEEL UNWELL?

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?

WHAT HAPPENS IN ROUGH WEATHER?

WHO IS THE COMPANY OWNED BY?

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

CAN WE LISTEN TO THE WHALES?

HOW MANY WHALES CAN WE SEE?

CAN WE SWIM WITH THE WHALES?

ARE WHALES DANGEROUS?

WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BEST FOR WHALE WATCHING?

JOIN THE POD®️

#whalewatchwesternaustralia

Part of the whale watch family