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Ever looked into the eye of a Southern right whale as it majestically glides along-side your boat, trying to get a closer look at you? If not, then you're missing out on a truly unique "south west" experience that many of us down here take for granted. Whale hunting is back! With a camera, that is...

Hearing the excited voices you move over to the other side of the boat and peer into the water. Someone says they saw a whale. And then it appears. A dark, moving shadow that's getting closer and closer to the surface. How big is this thing? It breaches the surface, and you hear yourself gasp in chorus with all the other passengers. Cameras click away. The Southern Right whale starts to go back under, but then comes the tail, which reminds you again just how big these things are. Ah, shouldn't we be in a bigger boat?

June marks the beginning of the whale watching season each year for the south west of Western Australia. For six months until November, there is an opportunity to view these magnificent creatures up close as they migrate both north and south. The south west is fortunate to be visited by increasing numbers of whales each year, including Humpback, Southern right, and Pygmy Blue whales. Humpback whales can grow to 19 metres. It's an experience you'll never forget.

Around June, Humpback and Southern right whales begin to appear in Flinders Bay, Augusta, having travelled up from Antarctica to breed in the warmer Australian waters. On arriving in Flinders Bay, the whales are often very curious and may approach boats to take a look, to the delight of those on board. The whales then continue to migrate north.

Then from around September, sightings become more regular in Geographe Bay, when the whales are migrating south again. Groups of whales, many with calves, stop in the bay to feed before they continue back to Antarctica.

This exhilarating annual event is part of the vast array of nature's attractions that are so common in the south west. To get the most out of a whale watching adventure, it's best to go through an approved tour operator. Not only is it illegal to approach whales in the wrong way, but the licensed tour operators know the best times and places to go, so you get the best views. There are a number of licensed operators around. Get out there and enjoy the south west outdoors!

Author's Resource:

Graeme Olsen is a contributor at South West Life. Visit today to view the latest south west map.

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