Orca Watch Adventure in Bremer Bay: 08.01.2022 Expedition Highlights
A great day indeed! Sometimes you have a normal land day, and then there are those rare days when you set out on an unforgettable orca watch expedition. Today, our journey through Bremer Bay in Western Australia delivered an abundance of natural wonders and thrilling wildlife encounters.
Orca Watch Adventure: Oil Slicks, Predators, and Dynamic Seas
Our day began at 10:15 with an instant confirmation of an orca watch. We didn’t even have to search for them in the canyon—a huge oil slick appeared just off the shelf with two dorsal fins piercing through the water. Oil slicks form when fatty tissue is released following a kill, serving as a natural indicator not only of nearby orcas but also of the presence of sharks below. True to form, this slick attracted four sharks and over 50 birds, all drawn to the scene.
On our approach, we witnessed a flurry of activity as the orcas hunted at the hotspot. El Notcho, Cookie, and Swirl—among others—were involved in their usual routine of racing up and down the swell, sometimes battling rough weather, then returning to calm waters. This dynamic behavior set the tone for a classic orca watch experience that our team and passengers won’t soon forget.
Orca Watch Insights: Seabird Diversity and Marine Life Interactions
The air above Bremer Bay was as busy as the water below. Our expedition turned into an extraordinary showcase of seabird diversity. From the water level upward, we spotted White-Faced Storm Petrels, Wilson Storm Petrels, Flesh-Footed Shearwaters, Shy Albatrosses, Indian Yellow Nosed Albatrosses, and even a solitary Wandering Albatross. Adding to the excitement was a slightly rarer sighting—a Great Shearwater. This white-rumped, white-collared shearwater was seen cleaning its feathers on the surface, trying to blend in with its feathered counterparts.
According to our Bird Experts, Plaxy Barratt and Daniel Mantle:
“Great Shearwaters breed in the South Atlantic Ocean and mostly spend winter in the North Atlantic (that’s at least two oceans away!!). Off the shelf of Bremer is the only location in Australia that Great Shearwaters semi-regularly visit. This sighting is our TENTH for Bremer Bay, and the ELEVENTH for W.A.”
Go Team Seabirds!!!!
Underwater Drama: Predatory Hunts and Wildlife Interactions
Beneath the waves, the action was equally compelling. We observed not one, but at least two pods of orcas. With Cookie leading the group and Wonks and Split Tip “right next door,” the orcas made a successful kill around lunchtime. This event triggered a flurry of activity below the surface, as sharks began following closely behind the hunt.
As the freshly divided food was shared among the orcas, we witnessed a fascinating behaviour known as spy-hopping. When an orca rises vertically out of the water up to its pectoral fins, scanning the horizon with its eyes. This impressive display was a great way for the orcas to signal the end of the feeding session and effectively wave us off from the hotspot.
Our orca watch experience was further enhanced by the presence of common dolphins joining us on the journey home. As well as sightings of Australian Sea Lions and two Little Penguins at Glasse Island. These additional encounters underscored the rich marine life that makes Bremer Bay one of Western Australia’s premier wildlife destinations.
Conclusion: A Memorable Orca Watch Experience
The interplay between rough and calm seas, dynamic predator behaviour, and diverse wildlife created a truly memorable day out at sea. Our expedition in Bremer Bay provided an unparalleled orca watch—where the orcas’ hunting tactics. Tuhe oil slicks indicating a recent kill, and the vibrant birdlife all combined into a spectacular marine wildlife show. Whether it’s the thrill of seeing El Notcho and his crew in action. Or marvelling at the natural ballet of seabirds overhead, our day was defined by the magic of the ocean.
Until tomorrow with Naturaliste Charters—where every voyage promises a new chapter in our ongoing orca watch adventure!
Join Naturaliste Charters on a Killer Whale Expedition visiting Bremer Canyon 70 kilometres off the Bremer Bay coastline in the great southern of Western Australia.
