Naturaliste Charters offers year-round whale watching and orca experiences in Western Australia’s south west, operating seasonally in Bremer Bay, Dunsborough and Augusta.
Facilities & Service
Once aboard the luxurious, purpose-built tour catamaran, you’ll meet a crew that is wildly passionate about the ocean and its inhabitants. They are committed to ensuring your safety, comfort, and engagement with the tour while enriching your journey with compelling stories, interesting facts, and directing your gaze to the best whale-watching spots.
Trips operate aboard the Alison Maree, a 23-metre catamaran built for Southern Ocean conditions. The vessel is designed for stability and safety, with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, air-conditioned spaces, onboard toilets, and filtered water systems.
Humpback Whale watching tours in Dunsborough and Augusta are typically two hours long in sheltered waters, while Killer Whale Expeditions are exciting full day trips in open ocean. Tours are meticulously designed to be eco-friendly, reflecting the company’s passion and commitment to the preservation and protection of our oceans.
Meals and refreshments are included, with morning tea, lunch, and afternoon snacks provided. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Activities
The primary activity is offshore wildlife observation, focusing on orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals and other marine species and well as the abundant birdlife. The experience includes time spent locating pods, observing behaviour, and learning from onboard crew and guides.
When to Visit:
- December to April: Killer Whale Expeditions
- May to August: Augusta Humpback Whale Watching
- August to November: Dunsborough Humpback Whale Watching
We Think . . .
An expedition with family-owned Naturaliste Charters means an ocean adventure with the most dedicated, passionate crew around. As the pioneers of whale watching in the Southwest with over 30 years of experience, there’s no crew better equipped to ensure you have a once-in-a-lifetime tour. The Killer Whale Expeditions suit travellers interested in large marine wildlife encounters, particularly orcas, with a structured day trip that prioritises access to one of the most consistent aggregation sites in Australia.
Located in Western Australia’s South West, Naturaliste Charters operates from three key coastal gateways—Dunsborough, Augusta and Bremer Bay—each offering access to different marine environments and seasonal wildlife events. The region is most commonly reached via Perth, with visitors either self-driving or joining regional flights.
Dunsborough and Augusta sit within the Margaret River region, approximately a 3 to 3.5-hour drive south of Perth, making them the most accessible options. Bremer Bay, home to the Bremer Canyon expeditions, is more remote, located around 5 hours south-east of Perth or 2 hours from Albany, and is best suited to travellers planning a dedicated wildlife itinerary or road trip.
The are several guest houses available to book in each region, with three and four bedroom options that can accommodate small groups. Please contact us with information about the size of your group so we can recommend suitable accommodation.
Bremer Bay Resort
The Bremer Bay Resort, located at a central location in the coastal WA town of Bremer Bay, offers apartments, family villas, and motel rooms with views of the Bremer Estuary. The resort features the Mt Barren Restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a bottle shop. Rooms start at approx. AUD 230 per night.
Season by Season Whale Watching Experiences:
Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition
This full-day offshore adventure departs from Bremer Bay, around a two-hour drive from Albany or five hours south of Perth, making it a true expedition-style experience into one of Australia’s most remote marine environments. Operating from mid-December to late April, this is the only place in Australia where killer whale encounters are considered highly reliable, making timing essential for wildlife enthusiasts. The nutrient-rich waters of the Bremer Canyon attract an extraordinary diversity of marine life—guests can expect to see orcas alongside sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins, sharks, sea lions, fur seals and even rare species like beaked whales and giant squid.
How to get there:
- Departures from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, WA
- ~2 hours drive from Albany or ~5 hours from Perth
Season / When to go:
- Mid-December to late April
- Peak season for reliable killer whale encounters
Dunsborough Whale Watching Tour
Departing from the Pro Fisherman’s Boat Ramp in Dunsborough, this relaxed 2.5-hour cruise explores the sheltered waters of Geographe Bay, easily accessible from Margaret River and about a three-hour drive south of Perth. The season runs from mid-August to late November, aligning with the southern migration of humpback and southern right whales, with occasional sightings of the elusive blue whale. The calm bays provide ideal conditions for observing whales travelling close to shore with their calves, while additional wildlife sightings often include dolphins, fur seals, seabirds such as gannets and shearwaters, and birds of prey like ospreys and sea eagles.
How to get there:
- Departs from Pro Fisherman’s Boat Ramp, Dunsborough
- ~3-hour drive south of Perth, near Margaret River
Season / When to go:
- Mid-August to late November
- Best for seeing whales travelling south with calves
Augusta Whale Watching Tour
Operating out of Augusta Boat Harbour at the southern tip of Western Australia, this 2.5-hour tour is best accessed via a scenic drive from Margaret River (around 40 minutes) or Perth (approximately 3.5 hours). Running from late May through mid-August, it captures the early phase of the whale migration, when humpback whales are travelling north and frequently display active behaviours such as breaching and tail slapping. The region is also a key calving ground for endangered southern right whales, offering intimate viewing opportunities, while sightings may also include minke whales, blue whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds like albatross and sea eagles, making it a rich and dynamic marine wildlife experience.
How to get there:
- Departs from Augusta Boat Harbour
- ~40 minutes from Margaret River, ~3.5 hours from Perth
Season / When to go:
- Late May to mid-August
- Ideal for early migration and breeding behaviours
The Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Experience
Pricing for Naturaliste Charters
| Valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 | |||
| Per Person Shared Tour | AUD | ||
| Adult | 399 | ||
| Children (10 -17 years) | 329 | ||
| Senior 65+ | 389 | ||
| 3-day pass | 999 | ||
| Includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea, soft drinks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water are included in the price and supplied on board. | |||
| Please use the [Enquire Now] tab to give us your exact requirements and we'll give you the best deal we can. | |||
