Best winter Whale Watching can be enjoyed in Augusta as hundreds of Humpback Whales are currently in Flinders Bay and lighting up the coast with their incredible energy and spectacular surface language. After a few days of high winds and rain rolling through the south coast we were finally able to depart again as the sun broke through, winds eased and Flinders Bay started to settle again into a peaceful scene. Our morning was met with multiple pods within moments of departing the Augusta Boat Harbour as we were surrounded by dozens of whales, what a way to start the day! Competition pods rumbled past as social pods gathered together and mingled in the very social scene. The local Bottlenose Dolphins raced in on our bow as they playfully joined us as we moved across the bay to a pod that was rather boisterous as the male tail lobbed repeatedly to protect is female. The other bachelor males nearby approached which caused him to continue on with his surface language as she approached to check us out, bringing the boys along with her as plenty of noisy trumpets could be heard.
The afternoon was just as busy with the same high number of pods moving through the shallows of Flinders Bay while seeking shelter from the larger offshore swell. It was all social this afternoon as one pod put on an incredible display of double head lunging, breaching and pec slapping as these bachelor boys showed off to nearby pods. Soon they took interest in us as they approached for a closer look before another pod moved in and they joined together. A very sweet yearling also came over to say hello before he noticed another individual of a similar age group just ahead of us and we were very pleased to see the two join together and begin to socialise. Our final pod for this busy day was with three very special whales, young bachelor males who became besotted with us and were practically hugging the boat. The boys were curious, gentle and had eyes wide open as they came in for a closer look while twisting and rolling around us as we drifted together with them. It was a very special interaction and a perfect way to complete what was a fun filled, whale extravaganza in Augusta and why it is the very best winter whale watching experience.
