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Western Australia Dolphin & whale watching

Our most recommended Western Australia Dolphin & whale watching

Rockingham: 1-hour Shoalwater Islands Tour & Penguin Island

1. Rockingham: 1-hour Shoalwater Islands Tour & Penguin Island

Enjoy the scenic highlights of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park during a 1-hour glass bottom boat cruise that explores the ruggedly spectacular coastlines of Penguin, Seal & Bird Islands and takes advantage of the best wildlife spotting opportunities.  Take in the beautiful scenery in the marine park and, through the glass panels, see what goes on beneath the surface. Wild dolphins, rare Australian sea lions, pelican rookeries, and birds of prey are regularly sighted and our friendly crew will get you right amongst the action. Though, please note that no sightings are guaranteed.  The Cruise concludes on Penguin Island to see the penguin feeding and then enjoy some island time before returning on the ferry at your own leisure. Penguin feedings are presented by a Parks & Wildlife Services ranger at 10.30 AM, 12.30 PM, and 2.30 PM and last around 20 minutes, after which the rangers are available to answer any visitor questions.

Mandurah Pirate Cruise

2. Mandurah Pirate Cruise

Ahoy there, matey! Take your seat as you depart from the eastern foreshore and venture through through Mandurah's beautiful inland waterways and canals on a fun-filled pirate cruise. Kids are encouraged to dress up in their favourite pirate costume (not supplied) and pretend they are sailing the seven seas. On this 45-minute adventure, they can steer the pirate wheel, look through the telescopes and take photos with the friendly captain, while adults are entertained with scenic views including a look at the prestigious homes dotted along the canals. Don't forget to bring your camera, Western Australia's largest residential population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins can be found in the waterways all year round.

Koombana Bay: Dolphin Eco Cruise

3. Koombana Bay: Dolphin Eco Cruise

Take an exciting Dolphin Eco Cruise for 90 minutes at the Discovery Centre. The vessel provides an excellent viewing platform designed to get you as close as possible to the dolphins, without getting your feet wet. The team will introduce you to the local Bottlenose Dolphins as they interact in their natural environment. Many of the dolphins seen on the cruise call Koombana Bay their home. They can be seen frolicking, playing, sleeping, and feeding during the cruise. The informative commentary from the skipper will keep you updated throughout.

Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay

4. Bremer Canyon Orca Experience from Bremer Bay

Enjoy a 7-hour whale watching experience from Bremer Bay Boat Harbor to spot orcas.  The harbor is located 180 kilometres or a 2-hour drive from Albany. This is your opportunity to be a part of a new frontier of research and development. Discovered by marine researchers just a decade ago, the Bremer Canyon plays host to the largest congregation of orcas in the Southern Hemisphere, as summer feeding grounds for these incredible marine creatures. It is believed that an Antarctic flow enters the canyon gathering bio carbons which create a nutrient rich environment,  enticing many marine species to the area each year. This interaction creates nutrient rich up welling waters, where phytoplankton develops, and an intense food chain for marine life prospers.  Experts will provide live commentary throughout the cruise and answer any questions you may have. An underwater camera and hydrophone allows you to watch and listen to the whales in their natural habitat.  The Steep Point vessel features 5 viewing decks over 3 levels, where you will enjoy amazing uninterrupted views. Watch for whales from water level to the huge open bow, upper grandstand deck, to the heated interior saloon with luxury lounge seating.  Superior service and no crowding are guaranteed along with complimentary tea, coffee and water. There’s also a fully-licensed cafe on board that serves a range of refreshments.

Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise with Optional Lunch

5. Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise with Optional Lunch

Cruise with playful dolphins and explore winding waterways on Western Australia’s best value marine tour. Glide over the water on this scenic tour showcasing top highlights of the coastal haven of Mandurah. Choose to purchase a delicious lunch directly from the activity provider. Hop aboard a comfortable boat and set off on this award-winning, pristine waters which are home to over 100 bottlenose dolphins, the largest residential population in Wester Australia. See these captivating creatures up close in nature with guaranteed sightings. Travel through an area that is surrounded by a giant estuary, twice the size of Sydney Harbor. Journey through a magnificent ocean marina and stunning canals lined with luxury homes. Visit global landmarks and see amazing birdlife. Kids love the nautical fun on deck, with a lifelike engine room, marine controls, a captain’s wheel, and giant binoculars. Order lunch directly from the activity provider and tuck into some famous local fish and chips. Experience Mandurah’s unique wonders of the water, only an hour from Perth with cruises available daily.

Coral Bay: Ningaloo Reef Swim and Snorkel with Whale Sharks

6. Coral Bay: Ningaloo Reef Swim and Snorkel with Whale Sharks

Join this 8 to 9-hour whale shark safari aboard Thunder. This vessel has been designed for comfort and has a large area for seating and standing, both downstairs and upstairs, and a 360-degree view from the wheelhouse. It is the perfect way to experience one of the few places in the world where these big beautiful whale sharks choose to visit.  Your tour will begin at 7:30 AM. Take a short bus transfer to the jetty to board the vessel. Then, head out for your first reef snorkeling experience in the beautiful coral gardens. You will encounter numerous fish, reef sharks, and other marine species. After morning tea, your journey to the outer reef will begin. By this time, the spotter plane is already searching for your whale sharks and informing the crew of any other exciting marine life they have spotted along the way. The crew will do their best to allow you to experience as much wildlife as possible during the tour.  Once the spotter plane has found a whale shark, the boat will make its way to it. You will be split into 2 groups of 10 and take turns to swim with the whale shark. To ensure that the whale sharks are not disturbed at their natural habit, you are allowed a maximum of 1 hour of swimming time with them. The boat stops on the return journey for a second reef snorkel at a different site. To finish the day, you can celebrate with a glass of champagne and enjoy a fruit platter.

Bunbury: Swim with Dolphins Tour

7. Bunbury: Swim with Dolphins Tour

On this tour, you are given the opportunity to swim with the wild Bottlenose Dolphins in their own environment. Accompanied by an experienced guide and trained volunteers you will venture into the open waters of Koombana Bay. Depending on dolphin sightings you will be guided into the water where the dolphins may elect to initiate interaction with the swimmers. As they are wild dolphins, interaction cannot be guaranteed.

Perth: Swim with Wild Dolphins Tour

8. Perth: Swim with Wild Dolphins Tour

Enjoy swimming with wild dolphins, a bucket list memorable adventure. Rockingham is a 45-minute drive south of Perth. In Rockingham, climb aboard the custom-built luxury dolphin swim boat designed to make accessing the water easy. Cruise Rockingham’s sheltered bays and islands in search of any of over 200 local dolphins. The crew will conduct introductory snorkeling lessons. Suddenly, you are surrounded by flashing grey torpedoes and the water is filled with whistles, splashes, and laughter, both human and dolphin. They don’t do tricks and you don’t feed them, they simply spend some time enjoying each other’s company. After your experience, enjoy a gourmet platter, including fresh local seafood onboard before returning to Rockingham, where your day finishes with the drive back to Perth. Choose to swim with the dolphins or stay dry onboard as a spectator.

Whale Watching Cruise from Busselton, Augusta or Dunsborough

9. Whale Watching Cruise from Busselton, Augusta or Dunsborough

Enjoy an exciting and best value whale watching experience in Busselton, Augusta or Dunsborough. Cruise out into the pristine waters to see these lovable marine giants up close. Migrating humpback and southern right whales leave the cold, food rich Antarctic waters and begin arriving around June. Augusta, Busselton and Dunsborough are perfectly placed to view these spectacular wild animals as they make their way past, often stopping off for a rest and play. Geographe Bay, with its usually calm and sheltered waters, means a guided whale watching tour is the best way to see magnificent humpback and southern right whales up-close.

Western Australia: Swim with Humpback Whales

10. Western Australia: Swim with Humpback Whales

Your full-day tour begins with a beautiful snorkeling experience on a reef. You might encounter turtles, reef sharks, stingrays and various species of fish. Then make your way out to the open ocean to observe the whales on their migratory route. If your trained guide deems it is safe to do so, guests will be separated into groups of 7, ready to enter the water. With the groups taking turns, guests will enter the water with 2 crew members at a time, positioned near the whale’s path at a safe distance. Each interaction will be on the whales’ terms. Humpback whales can be curious and may approach swimmers, or they may simply pass by. When you have finished swimming with the humpback whales, make your way back to the reef. Enjoy lunch on board and take a final snorkel on the reef. On your way back to the jetty you’ll be provided with a glass of champagne and a fruit platter to finish the day off in style.

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What people are saying about Western Australia

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 118 reviews

This is a great boat trip ! You catch the ferry over to penguin island to pick the boat up from there … The crew are helpful and friendly …. Josh narrates and has superb knowledge of WA’s wildlife and will answer any questions you have … Gary the skipper does everything he can to let you see and get up close to the action …… I liked the fact, they don’t artificially encourage any change of behaviour to Dolphins, Seals or birds I loved it, so did my wife and the grandkids wanted to do it all again !

The captain and his mate did an excellent job trying to look for dolphins and we saw a number of them!! Our granddaughter’s were both very excited to see them! I would definitely recommend this trip !

It was a wonderful day have lived in Rockingham my whole life and never seen seal island and surrounding islands enjoyed it very much

Lovely trip around the canals on a warm afternoon.Ideal for kids but also enjoyable for us oldies

I was was a wonderful tour, one of good experience with family, the atmosphere was great