Bremer Canyon Ignites With Orca Behaviour
The canyon was alive today with a rolling swell and relentless orca behaviour. As we dropped off the shelf, our first sighting came swiftly—Orca directly off the bow, positioned perfectly at 12 o’clock. Surrounding them, we noticed a flurry of seabirds including shearwaters and both Wilson’s and white-faced storm petrels. Wilson’s storm petrels are becoming more common as they return from their Antarctic migration. Among the pod, a special moment revealed itself—a newborn calf, our second sighting of this little one for the season. It swam closely beside its mother, showing a light orange hue typical of calves in their first year. This distinct colouring is due to their thin skin and visible blood vessels. With the pair slowly cruising past the bow, they eventually re-joined the rest of the pod before diving deep into the canyon.
Want to witness this firsthand? Join us on a Bremer Bay Killer Whale Expedition and experience the power of the canyon for yourself.
Oil Slicks and Hammerheads Hint at a Kill
After giving the mother and calf space to rest, we returned to the hotspot. A huge aggregation of seabirds was circling high above an oily slick spreading gently across the surface. The scent lingered in the air as we slowed to a near stop. Moments later, we spotted two dorsal fins and three surfacing blows. Moving closer, we encountered an unexpected visitor—a hammerhead shark. Likely drawn by the scent, the opportunistic feeder cruised the edge of the slick. Orca are apex predators, and the slick suggested a fresh kill had occurred nearby. As we followed the dorsal fins, they shifted direction and began to approach. Gliding through the water, they passed beneath our vessel, revealing their pale bellies through crystal-clear aqua water. Surfing the swell like playful dolphins, they rose and rolled beside us. With grace and speed, they surged ahead—leading us further offshore with the wind and waves at our backs.
Curious about what makes Bremer Canyon so unique? Read more about the Bremer Sub-Basin and canyon ecosystem from Parks Australia.
Orca Behaviour: Breaching, Surfing and More
The energy in the water rose as the orca leapt out in dramatic porpoises. Then came the breaches—forward, backward, full, and half! Their activity barely paused, as if the swell itself had energised the entire pod. Between these airborne displays, several individuals began trailing in our wake. Every so often they broke the surface to surf beside us, gliding effortlessly through the breaking waves. We matched their speed as best we could, watching them power through the whitecaps like seasoned surfers. They led us a good six or seven miles from the hotspot, never straying far from our starboard side. Incredibly, they remained in clear view—avoiding the sun’s glare for our passengers. It felt like a show put on just for us. With the swell at our back and the orca running parallel, it was a spectacular finale to a day filled with wild energy and unforgettable orca behaviour.
Find out more about our crew and vessels on the Naturaliste Charters About Us page.
Until Next Time…
These moments are what make Bremer Canyon so special. Every day brings something new, and today’s encounters will stay with us for a long time. From newborn calves and hunting slicks to breaches and belly rolls, the orca truly showed us their power and grace.
Until tomorrow,
The Bremer Canyon Crew
