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Maptlantis

Southern right whale · Australia

Where to see southern right whales in Australia

Operators 8Season May–NovRegions 6Published prices 6Encounter formats 2
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About this list

A common trap when looking for places to see southern right whales in Australia is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the southern right whale as a target species, 8 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Jervis Bay Territory, Eyre Peninsula west coast, South Australia, SA, Fleurieu Peninsula, Freycinet & East Coast, Tasmania, Western Coast, Warrnambool & Portland, Victoria and Albany & Bremer Bay, Western Australia. Encounters are split into land-based watching and boat-based watching. Two "southern right whale tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. 6 of the 8 operators (75%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The 8 operators that state a season for southern right whale programs in Australia cluster in May–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.

Southern right whale season in Australia

May–Nov

  1. JanJanuary: not in season
  2. FebFebruary: not in season
  3. MarMarch: not in season
  4. AprApril: not in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season, singled out
  7. JulJuly: in season, singled out
  8. AugAugust: in season, singled out
  9. SepSeptember: in season, singled out
  10. OctOctober: in season
  11. NovNovember: in season
  12. DecDecember: not in season

The months 8 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the southern right whale season table.

8 listed operators

Southern right whales in Australia, by region

Southern right whale season

Southern right whales in other countries

Other marine life in Australia

Activities in Australia

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see southern right whales in Australia?

8 operators name the southern right whale as a target species. Main regions: Jervis Bay Territory, Eyre Peninsula west coast, South Australia, SA, Fleurieu Peninsula, Freycinet & East Coast, Tasmania, Western Coast, Warrnambool & Portland, Victoria and Albany & Bremer Bay, Western Australia.

Do you have to get in the water to see southern right whales?

Formats on record: land-based watching and boat-based watching. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.

When is southern right whale season?

The 8 operators that state a season for southern right whale programs in Australia cluster in May–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.

Will I definitely see them?

No. Southern right whales are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.