Dunsborough Whale Watching Season Highlights20 September 2025 – Afternoon Tour
We sight our first blue whale on one of our Dunsborough whale tours this season! Earlier that morning, reports came in of a blue whale passing Port Geographe Marina. As we departed, confirmation arrived — the magnificent animal was off Old Dunsborough, just 400 metres from the jetty. The unmistakable tall blow rose in the distance, and excitement filled the deck as we slowly approached the giant individual.
We suspect this was most likely a pygmy blue whale, a subspecies that can grow up to 23 metres in length, though there is always the thrilling possibility of seeing a “true” Antarctic blue whale reaching 30 metres — the largest animal to have ever lived! It is extraordinary that these ocean giants can be found in waters as shallow as five metres right off our coastline.
Not long after, a group of humpback whales appeared on the other side of the boat. Around eight to ten humpbacks travelled together, rolling around one another and coming in close. They dazzled everyone onboard with pectoral slaps and peduncle throws before we gently made our way home after an unforgettable afternoon.
23 September 2025 – Meet the Dwarf Minke Whale
One of the most fascinating visitors to Geographe Bay this month was the dwarf minke whale — the second smallest of the baleen whales! They display the most intricate colour pattern of any baleen species, with white shoulders, a dark throat patch, dark-tipped fins, and a pale triangular patch on their sides.
Adults grow to around seven to nine metres and weigh up to seven tonnes, while calves are born at just two metres long. Unlike some larger whales, dwarf minkes may feed opportunistically in tropical waters. Once overlooked by whalers for being “too small,” they are now estimated to number over one million worldwide. Small in size but incredibly distinctive — another special highlight for our passengers this season.
24 September 2025 – Morning Tour
Blue skies and glassy conditions continued to bless the bay, as did the humpbacks! Two whales repeatedly tail-slapped in the distance to begin the tour, one of which became the true star of the show. For half an hour, it stayed alongside the boat, rolling belly-up and performing continuous tail slaps with wide-spread pectoral fins.
With no wind to break the surface, the sounds of the slaps echoed across the bay — a call for others to join in. Soon, bursts of breaching, pectoral slapping, and surfacings surrounded us. The sheer number of humpbacks travelling through our coastline was on full display.
25 September 2025 – Morning Tour
White splashes lit up the horizon moments after leaving the mooring, drawing us towards Meelup Beach. There we found a playful humpback mother and calf pair. The calf leapt repeatedly from the water in joyful breaches, with mum soon joining in to show how it is done.
Continuing towards Rocky Point, the bay came alive with communication between pods — tail slaps, pectoral slaps, and breaches in every direction. While moving through the activity, a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins joined us, bow-riding in crystal-clear water.
The finale was unforgettable — three humpbacks launching together in a perfect triple breach. The ideal end to a spectacular morning on the water.
3 October 2025 – Morning Tour
Despite blustery conditions, today was nothing short of epic. Our first encounter was a pair of humpbacks performing magnificent breaches, followed by pectoral and tail slapping. Soon, more duos joined the display, surrounding us with activity in every direction.
A huge head lunge wowed those on the bow — the whale propelling forward like a rocket! To finish, three active humpbacks mugged the boat, surfacing right alongside us. One even surfed down a wave, rolling with the force. An absolutely unforgettable sight.
5 October 2025 – Morning Tour
The sun returned after several cloudy days, and the wildlife responded in full. We encountered two mother–calf–escort male trios, one featuring a unique dorsal fin. As we travelled further north, a moving “brown blob” caught our attention. It turned out to be a small loggerhead turtle — a rare and exciting sight this far south!
Closer to shore, more mother–calf pairs engaged in pectoral and tail slapping. On our return journey, an object floating at the surface caught our eye. What first appeared to be a log revealed itself to be a resting blue whale — in fact, two of them! These were the calmest blues we have seen this season, surfacing gracefully before we continued back to port.
10 October 2025 – Afternoon Tour
Leaving the moorings, we were greeted by a lively group of bottlenose dolphins. Initially relaxed, their energy soon lifted as they rolled and played, even floating belly-up in the surface sunshine.
Further out, we encountered an active group of five to six humpbacks, pectoral slapping and breaching in spontaneous bursts. They surfaced unpredictably, breaching in multiple directions — thrilling passengers lucky enough to catch each leap.
13 October 2025 – Afternoon Tour
Humpbacks and another blue whale visitor made this afternoon’s tour one to remember. North of the moorings, we first encountered a few solitary humpbacks, quietly surfacing before long dives. As we continued, two near Rocky Point began breaching and head lunging, capturing everyone’s attention.
Our luck grew as reports came in of another blue whale on the move. The pale shimmer of its skin appeared below the surface before it rose into view — a breathtaking moment for all onboard. On our return, the bay came alive once more with breaching humpbacks in every direction.
14 October 2025 – Afternoon Tour
Heading out, we immediately spotted multiple breaches from distant groups. As we approached, activity slowed, and we followed two pairs of relaxed humpbacks travelling towards the coast. For several minutes at a time, they dived deep before surfacing close by, their movements calm and rhythmic.
Approaching Gannet Rock, we noticed renewed energy a mile away. A mother and calf exchanged tail slaps — a learning moment for the young one, mirroring its mother’s movements. Beneath them, an escort male travelled in steady formation. As the family continued their journey towards Cape Naturaliste, we too made our way home through the windswept white caps.
16 October 2025 – Morning Tour
Wowie! What an incredible morning! We did not expect to run into two adult southern right whales so close to the moorings. These gentle giants were calm and relaxed, surfacing gracefully as we followed them towards Gannet Rock.
Southern right whales are easily identified by the white callosity patches on their rostrums and the absence of a dorsal fin. At one point, a passenger on the bow called out, “Give us a tail!” — and, as if on cue, one did, followed by a spectacular breach! This rare display of energy was a thrill to witness, as southern rights are not often seen performing such powerful behaviours.
We left the pair to continue their travels and later encountered a duo of humpbacks further offshore. Taking ten-minute dive intervals, they offered us a few beautiful views of their flukes before diving deep again. It was a morning of unforgettable variety and grace.
Dunsborough Tours This Season
The 2025 Dunsborough whale watching season has delivered an extraordinary mix of encounters — from playful dolphins and breaching humpbacks to dwarf minkes, loggerhead turtles, southern right whales, and multiple blue whale sightings. Geographe Bay has once again shown why it is one of Western Australia’s most exceptional whale watching locations.
The season runs from mid-August through to the end of November, as thousands of humpback whales migrate through the calm, sheltered waters of the bay. Southern right whales, dwarf minke whales, and even the mighty blue whale make occasional appearances, thrilling passengers with close-up encounters.
Naturaliste Charters departures leave from the Professional Fishermen’s Boat Ramp in Quindalup, only minutes from Dunsborough town centre. With calm seas, incredible biodiversity, and the expertise of our crew and marine biologists, every tour offers a unique glimpse into the lives of these ocean giants.
Join us this season in Dunsborough for your chance to witness the unforgettable spectacle of whale watching in Geographe Bay.
