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Naturaliste Charters Bremer Canyon Killer Whale and Pelagic Expeditions

21 hours ago

10.12.23 – Bremer Canyon Bird Watching Trip #2 of 4 We headed out to the hotspot with a full boat of seabirders pumped for another day out at the Bremer Canyon. The journey out was enlivened by a couple of Bridled Terns, one of the more graceful and oceanic terns in Australia, and a flock of seven Short-tailed Shearwaters powering eastwards. These shearwaters breed in huge numbers from Tasmania to South Australia but are at the very western edge of their breeding range in Esperance (Western Australia) with only small groups reaching the Bremer Canyon on feeding sorties. We made great time out to the ‘Hotspot’ and quickly found several resting groups of Grey-faced Petrels. These petrels breed in New Zealand and are typically scarce summer visitors to Bremer but the prolonged strong easterlies in the last few weeks appear to have blown more than usual across the Bight Basin to Western Australia. Soon the first Shy Albatross of the day was spotted amongst a small group of Flesh-footed Shearwaters, Grey-faced, and Great-winged Petrels feeding on a large scrap of squid. This is one of the common food sources that Bremer Canyon seabirds regularly seek out. Shortly after, we stopped for our first chumming session and quickly had throngs of hungry Flesh-footed Shearwaters fighting for the fish scraps being tossed to them. The excitement grew as several crisp young Shy Albatrosses and a few Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses joined the feeding seabirds behind the boat. Small numbers of Great-winged and Grey-faced Petrels continued to circle the boat but weren’t interested in joining the feeding shearwaters. Whilst further down the chum slick small numbers of White-faced and the occasional Wilson’s Storm-Petrel also joined the feeding party. Soon the call went out for “Wandering Albatross” as a young Snowy (Wandering) Albatross flew in to check out the feeding activity behind the boat. Often these ocean behemoths make a single pass of the boat and quickly continue on their way, but this bird was clearly hungry and was tempted back to the boat to feast on some scraps tossed his way. The bird made numerous close passes to the boat and actively stole larger food scraps from both the Indian Yellow-nosed and Shy Albatrosses. After a few hours watching these hungry flocks feeding behind the boat, we decided to search the canyon for other activity. It wasn’t long before cetacean blows and splashes were spotted and a group of 30 or so Pilot Whales appeared close to the boat. These gregarious whales thrilled the boat for the next 20 minutes and two very young grey bubs were spotted amongst the large pod. A second Wandering-type Albatross made a quick pass off the stern, but it was now time to head home. On the way home, we stopped at Glasse Island to watch the Australian Sea Lions sunning themselves on the rocks, where we were also thrilled by 5 cute Little Penguins sheltering in one of the large rock clefts and at least 9 Rock Parrots (likely regular breeders on this island). A great way to end another really enjoyable day out at the Bremer Canyon! - Seabird Guide Dan Mantle#naturalistecharters #birdwatching #australia #WAtheDreamState #wildlifephotography #whalewatching #pilotwhales #ecotourism #australiassouthwest #amazingalbany #albatross #bremerbay ... See MoreSee Less

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Naturaliste Charters Bremer Canyon Killer Whale and Pelagic Expeditions

2 days ago

9.12.23 - Bremer Canyon Bird Watching Trip #1Today was the first dedicated Pelagic Bird Expedition of four, with the official Killer Whale season commencing this Wednesday. Transiting in comfort on the newly refurbished & extended MV Alison Maree, we made good time arriving to the continental shelf. Hopes were high in what species to be encountered ahead in the deep blue at this inaugural time of year.Within minutes of arriving at the hot spot, blows were called out by our newly appointed skipper Craig, helping as crew today with Crossy at the helm. The unmistakable black & white apex predators were soon surrounding us on all sides, as Deckhand Kyle observed even more Orca pods further away. Content at verifying they are here, soon we dropped back, cutting the engines & getting into bird mode. Everything had come to anticipated fruition & setting down in quiet patience, the bird activity increased around the vessel. An incredible start to the day continued to unfold as Shy & Yellow Nose Albatross wielded overhead us with dozens of Flesh Footed Shearwaters. Eyes trained for less encountered species & soon calls of Great Winged Petrels, Grey Faced Petrels , White Faced Storm Petrels & Wilson‘s Storm Petrels joining the list. Engines quickly engaged for a search for “what made that splash” which only left us guessing, as attention was diverted to a majestic Wandering Albatross circling the vessel. With the last drift observing & documenting the bird life it was soon time to head home with a successful first trip & smiles all round. As we well know, it’s never over untill we dock at the harbour & a pod of Oceanic Bottlenose Dolphins numbering over 100 raced to surf & jump alongside the vessel.Soon followed by a briefer appearance of Common Dolphins that gifted us the trifecta of cetaceans on this dedicated Pelagic Bird Expedition. A huge thank you to Bremer Canyon seasoned veterans Dan & Plaxy helping organise these trips & to our valued passengers in prelude to our Killer Whale Expeditions only a few days away.It’s official the Orca are here now & if you can get down, bookings are open! Thanks for reading our first December Expedition blog…ever & hope to welcome you aboard soon. Mark Jackman #naturalistecharters #bremerbay #killerwhales #orca #dolphins #birdwatching #birdlovers #WAtheDreamState #albany #australia #summerdownsouth #australiassouthwest #southernocean #perthisok #wildlife #wildlifephotography ... See MoreSee Less

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Naturaliste Charters Bremer Canyon Killer Whale and Pelagic Expeditions

3 days ago

Our Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expeditions were featured in a recent news interview! 🎥 #7NEWS #bremerbay #killerwhaleexpeditions #naturalistecharters #albany #WAtheDreamState #orca #killerwhale #birdwatching #amazingalbany #southernocean #ecotourism ... See MoreSee Less

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Naturaliste Charters Bremer Canyon Killer Whale and Pelagic Expeditions

3 days ago

Hard to wipe the smile off our faces! It's December 9th and the team is currently exploring the Canyon with Killer Whales! Typically, our season kicks off in January, but this time, we decided to venture into December. Can't wait to receive updates and images later! 🥳(We are currently running a series of Bird Watching Trips from Bremer Bay with a chance of seeing Orca 😉 Officially our Expeditions will commence from the 13th December).Tourism Western Australia Australia's South West Australia.com Amazing Albany WA Busy Blue Bus #orca #killerwhales #naturalistecharters #bremerbay #BremerBayKillerWhales #ecotourism #WAtheDreamState #perthisok ... See MoreSee Less

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Naturaliste Charters Bremer Canyon Killer Whale and Pelagic Expeditions

7 days ago

Exciting update! 🎉 Our Crew & Vessel safely reached Bremer Bay last night following their big transfer from Dunsborough.Now the excitement is really setting in as we prepare to kick-off our 10th Killer Whale Expedition season. 🌊 Getting ready for this season involves meticulous preparations—ensuring safety and compliance, mobilizing equipment, and collaborating with local suppliers. Amidst the organised chaos (we've honed our skills after 10 years 😆), we're pumped for this adventure!Here's to another phenomenal season in Bremer Bay! Whether you're joining us for an expedition or following along with our adventures, your support means the world. We can't wait to share this journey with you!Killer Whale Expeditions depart daily from Wednesday 13th December.📸Jodie Lowe's Marine Animal Photography#BremerBayAdventure #KillerWhaleSeason #10YearsStrong #Bremerbayorca #bremerbay #bremerbaykillerwhales #Bremercanyonexpeditions #naturalistecharters #australia #orca #Killerwhales #dolphins #WAtheDreamState #ecotourism #australiassouthwest #thetrueoriginalandthebest #wildandfree ... See MoreSee Less

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What we are currently seeing Whale Watching

Naturaliste Charters Whale Watching Expeditions run all year round !

Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expeditions – From January to April, our full day expeditions visit the Bremer Canyon, one of the least explored places on earth, and the only place in Australia you can reliably encounter killer whales (orca), the ocean’s undisputed apex predator.

Your expedition along with seeing the Killer whales (Orca) you may also see pods of long-finned pilot whales, sperm whales, a rare beaked whale and the largest animal to ever have lived, the blue whale. You can also admire the acrobatics of large pods of bottlenose, striped, and common dolphins, and encounter shark species that include great whites, whaler sharks, and the beautiful oceanic blue, a species never seen from shore. Enormous oceanic sunfish surface, disc shaped bodies sometimes 2 meters across. The remains of giant squid sometimes float on the surface, a predator of the deep reduced to scraps, squabbled over by an astonishing array of pelagic seabirds including albatross, shearwater and petrel species. Rare species are sighted each season, including the Barau’s and Black-Bellied Storm Petrel. The Bremer Canyon is a place like no other on the planet. Your experience like no other in your life…

Augusta Whale Watching Eco Tours – From May to August, humpback whales visit the south west of Western Australia as they undertake their annual migration, an incredible journey from the feeding grounds of Antarctica to the warm waters of Australia’s north west and beyond to breed and calve. Our locations span the scenic south west, and as a result we have the longest whale migration season anywhere in the world.

From May, humpback whales arrive at the scenic seaside town of Augusta. Competitive, curious and acrobatic, this is whale watching at it’s most dramatic and spectacular. Rare blue, minke and fin whales are also sighted on occasion as they too make the epic trek north. From July, endangered southern right whales also arrive, giving birth to their calves in the protected waters of Flinders Bay.

Busselton and Dunsborough Whale Watching Eco Tours – From Septemeber to Early Dec as spring arrives, the whales retrace their steps south. The southern migration is special. In the protective care of their mothers, calves leave their birthplace in the tropical north and make the epic trek to Antarctic waters for the first time, an incredible journey for a baby just months old. The calm, protected waters of Geographe Bay offer a welcome respite to the weary wanderers, an opportunity to rest before crossing an entire ocean for the first time. The humpbacks arrive first, followed by regular sightings of blue whales from October through to early December.