Eco Magic in Dunsborough

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/