Month: November 2025

Dunsborough Eco Tours Reveal Incredible Blue Whale Encounters

The 2025 Dunsborough eco tour season has been nothing short of spectacular, delivering the kind of ocean encounters that stay with you long after the tour ends. Geographe Bay has a reputation for calm waters and extraordinary wildlife, and this year it truly lived up to its name. Passengers aboard our eco cruises enjoyed more pygmy blue whale sightings than usual, giving them front-row views of one of the planet’s most impressive marine species.

Each time one of these blue giants surfaced, the energy on the deck shifted. Guests would hurry to the rails as the long dark body rose slowly from the depths, gliding quietly beside the vessel. Their scale alone is astonishing, but it is their calm presence that leaves the biggest impression. These sightings were a standout feature of the season, offering both breathtaking moments and valuable opportunities for our crew to document rarely seen behaviours.

Humpback Highlights Throughout the Season

The humpback whales were equally determined to make this season unforgettable. From the first week of September, the momentum never stopped. Legend Charters proudly upheld its 98% whale sighting rate, giving guests an incredibly reliable chance to witness the southern migration as it passed the lee of Cape Naturaliste. Mothers with calves were a regular highlight, resting and nurturing their young in the calm, protected waters of the bay.

Our eco tours are designed to bring guests closer to nature, and this season delivered countless memorable moments. We saw energetic juvenile humpbacks breaching in open water, gentle mothers guiding calves along the coastline and adults communicating through blows, rolls and pectoral waves. Dolphins often joined the tours, bow-riding and adding a burst of excitement to already lively days. The bay is also a hotspot for bird activity, with gannets, shearwaters and albatrosses joining the spectacle.

Crew Photography Supports Ongoing Marine Monitoring

Throughout the season, our crew continued gathering behavioural observations for scientific monitoring programs, supported by onboard photography that helps identify individual whales and track returning animals across years. Our team capture images of dorsal fins, flukes and distinctive markings, which contribute to valuable long-term data sets and ongoing cetacean research in the region.

Legend Charters’ eco tours have always focused on education, connection, and respect for the marine environment. We take pride in welcoming passengers of all ages, many of whom return each year to experience the Dunsborough season with family and friends. Our guides share stories of whale biology, behaviour, conservation programs and the cultural significance of the region, creating a deeper appreciation for the wildlife encountered on each tour.

Wildlife Encounters Beyond the Whales

As the season approached its finale, interactions with large pods of dolphins, feeding seabirds and even the occasional seal added more variety. Guests described many mornings as “National Geographic moments”, where calm seas and active whales combined to create unforgettable magic on the water.

Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Season Returns

With the Dunsborough season approaching its finale, excitement builds for what comes next. The Alison Maree will soon travel south to Bremer Bay to begin the annual Killer Whale (Orca) season. The Bremer Canyon is unlike anywhere else in Australia—a deep offshore world filled with extraordinary wildlife, powerful interactions and dramatic encounters. From early December, guests can witness coordinated orca hunts, pilot whales travelling in impressive pods, rare sightings of beaked whales and even giant squid events that attract apex predators.

The canyon’s ecosystem is driven by nutrient-rich upwellings that fuel a dense marine food web. For visitors, this means experiencing ocean life at its most raw and natural. Guests onboard often describe it as stepping into a living documentary.

As we celebrate one of Dunsborough’s strongest eco seasons in recent years, we invite you to join us for the final tours of spring—or travel south to meet the orcas in their powerful offshore world.

Book your Dunsborough

Book Dunsborough Eco Tours:
https://naturalistecharters.com.au/dunsboroughwhalewatching/

Book Bremer Bay Killer Whale Expeditions:
https://naturalistecharters.com.au/bremercanyonkillerwhales/

Why Bremer Bay Is Their Seasonal Home

Every summer, off the wild southern coastline of Western Australia, a remarkable gathering takes place. Hundreds of killer whales, or orcas, converge in the deep waters off Bremer Bay. From December to April, the remote Bremer Canyon becomes a stage for hunting, socialising and scientific discovery. It is one of the few places on Earth where visitors can reliably encounter these apex predators in the wild.

Why Bremer Bay?

The secret lies beneath the surface. The Bremer Canyon is a massive submarine system stretching thousands of metres deep into the continental shelf. Here, cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the abyss — a process called upwelling. This natural event fuels blooms of plankton that support fish, squid and whales. For killer whales, it is a seasonal feast.

These conditions make Bremer Bay a biological hotspot. Orcas return year after year, drawn by abundant prey and stable ocean currents. The area’s remoteness and pristine environment also help sustain this delicate balance between predator and ecosystem.

The science behind the sightings

Since Naturaliste Charters began operating expeditions in Bremer Bay, scientists have documented more than 200 individual orcas across several pods (Project ORCA). Through photo-identification, drone observation and acoustic recording, researchers now understand more about the behaviour and communication of these animals than ever before.

Each pod has its own culture — distinct hunting methods, dialects and family hierarchies. Some specialise in hunting squid, while others target beaked whales or tuna. This diversity of feeding behaviour highlights the adaptability and intelligence of killer whales in the Southern Ocean (NOAA Fisheries).

The social side of orcas

Watching orcas in Bremer Canyon is like glimpsing into a parallel society. Females lead their pods, passing knowledge through generations. Calves are nurtured and taught to hunt cooperatively. Playful displays, spy-hops and breaches reveal complex social interactions that go far beyond survival.

Scientists believe this intricate social structure is key to their success. It allows Bremer Bay orcas to coordinate hunts with precision and communicate across large distances. These behaviours have earned them the reputation of being the ocean’s most intelligent and strategic predators.

Changing oceans, shifting patterns

While Bremer Bay remains a sanctuary, global ocean changes are influencing whale movements. Warming waters and shifting prey distributions could alter the timing or scale of future gatherings (Whales and Climate Programme). Monitoring these changes helps researchers predict how killer whales may adapt in coming decades.

By joining a Bremer Bay Killer Whale Expedition, you contribute to that ongoing research. Passenger observations and photographs often assist scientists in identifying individuals and understanding pod dynamics over time.

A natural spectacle beyond comparison

Every expedition into the Bremer Canyon offers a new story. The journey to the feeding grounds aboard Alison Maree passes rugged cliffs and the meeting point of two mighty oceans. Out at sea, anticipation builds until a tall black dorsal fin cuts through the waves. Then, suddenly, the Southern Ocean comes alive.

Pods work together to chase prey, juveniles mimic adults, and birds swirl overhead in a frenzy of motion. It is pure nature — unpredictable, powerful and unforgettable. Encounters like these inspire a deep respect for the fragile balance of the marine world.

Protecting Western Australia’s orcas

Naturaliste Charters is proud to collaborate with marine researchers and conservation organisations to study and safeguard this unique population. By combining eco-tourism with science, every Bremer Bay Orca Tour helps raise awareness and protect the region’s biodiversity. Responsible whale watching ensures minimal disturbance while maximising educational value for guests.

Understanding the role of killer whales in Western Australia’s ecosystems reminds us that preserving their habitat benefits all marine life — from plankton to whales and everything in between.

Plan your encounter with the ocean’s apex predator

The Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition Season begins each December, continuing through to April. Departing daily from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, tours are led by expert marine biologists who bring the science of the canyon to life.

Join Naturaliste Charters — Western Australia’s original orca operator — and witness the world’s most powerful predator in its natural environment. It is more than whale watching; it is a window into one of the ocean’s most complex ecosystems.

References

Project ORCA Australia – Bremer Canyon Research Initiative
NOAA Fisheries – Killer Whale (Orca) Information
Whales and Climate Programme – Whales and Climate Research
CSIRO Marine Research – Southern Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics

Eco Magic in Dunsborough