Bremer Bay Killer Whale Watching
The famous Bremer Bay Orca
Bremer Bay whale watching is an experience that you will always treasure. An abundance of wildlife including the famous Bremer Bay Orca (Killer Whales) visit off the coast of the small Western Australian coastal town of Bremer Bay every summer. This wholesome and tranquil town is home to the most exciting whale watching experience in Australia.
Whale Watching Season in Bremer Bay
The whale watching season focuses on two seasons which both have slightly different peak seasons. Depending on when you are wanting to go whale watching or what species you are inspired to meet will determine the best time to visit.
January – April
One of the best places in the world to go whale watching all happens off the coastline of Bremer Bay every January to March. Orca, Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales and Sunfish are just a few of the many species who gather during this time of year to feast on squid and pelagic fish species. The largest congregation of Orca in the southern hemisphere provides the perfect opportunity to meet one of the most elusive species in the ocean, the wild Orca of Australia.
July – October
Southern Right Whales begin to arrive from July onwards in sheltered waters located around Bremer Bay to give birth to the next generation. During these months for the keen eyed observer the occasional Humpback Whale will also be sighted during their northern and southern migrations. The best place to search for and view the resting mothers and calves are in the sheltered bays around Bremer.
The Experience
For a memory that will last a lifetime Join The Pod with Whale Watch Western Australia and experience the Orca’s world. Learn The Language Of The Whales with Australia’s most experienced and dedicated whale watching company. Our day starts in the pristine waters off Bremer Bay boat harbour to end up only 19 nautical miles off the coast, what awaits you is a wildlife extravaganza from killer whales (Orca) to an array of wildlife including sperm whales, pilot whales, pelagic bird species, beaked whales and many more.
They arrive every year between January and April for feeding and socialising with other family pods. The depths start at around 900 metres to eventually veer down to 4 kilometres deep.
‘The Patch’ in Bremer Bay becomes a massive feeding ground for many different species, the orca being one of them. We get to witness some of the most amazing sights of nature, we have had many world firsts from different hunts to new species sighted. The Patch is an astounding place that never ceases to amaze us with what we get to see, to witness the hunt and become a Pod Member with the orca families we know so well.
A Bremer Bay Killer Whale tour with Whale Watch Western Australia is a once in a lifetime eco-tourism experience that is not easily forgotten. Once you see an orca in it’s natural environment, Witness The Hunt and observe their power and grace it is a memory you will treasure for a lifetime.
Learn more about the Bremer Bay Orcas
Joining the pod of Whale Watch Western Australia you will meet our family, as we own and operate the tours all year round. Our cetacean behaviourist and marine scientists onboard will give you a detailed understanding of how our wildlife lives, from the hunts to the play you will know exactly what is going on with our live commentary throughout your tour.
The killer whales mostly hunt giant squid and, when they can, larger prey such as beaked whales. These fascinating marine mammals all have their preferred food preferences and hunting tactics which they pass on in their family groups, from generation to generation.
The orca are very social creatures, which you will see during your tour. Their strong family bonds with the other individuals in their pods are clear to see, as they hunt, play and rest together. The killer whale’s natural inquisitiveness gets the better of them time and time again, we get to share so many memorable moments with their family pods.
They recognise the sound of our vessel and without hesitation come racing over to greet us. Through time spent respecting our orcas over the years we have built an incredible relationship with these amazing creatures. The research we do onboard every tour through photo ID and family tree work has added a huge amount of knowledge, We work with local and International researchers to make sure we get to know these orca intimately.
Whale Watch Orca Research (WWOR) ensures we can deliver our knowledge to those who want to learn about the orca’s world. Photo ID gives us the opportunity to see who is who, knowing the family pod’s structure and family members allows us to keep track of injuries and new calves born. Our onboard photographer knows every killer whale by name and she will let you know who you are sharing your time with.
The activities we get to see from the West Australian Killer Whales can vary from the hunt to socialising, you will get to witness the natural nature of the apex predator.
We always pride ourselves on our motto “To observe behaviour, not influence behaviour” as to witness these incredibly intelligent creatures in their wild environment is a privilege and our responsibility to respect our orca is paramount.
No two days are the same in the Bremer Canyon. It is impossible to predict what we will encounter. There are times the orcas can surge for kilometres reaching speeds up to 40-50 kph and we are right there with them, hunting with the orcas can be exhilarating and unforgettable an experience that is hard to describe, you will just have to Join The Pod to create a memory that you will never forget.
Nothing will prepare you for the sheer excitement of seeing your first orca. The distinct dark shadows connect the striking white eye patches as they cut through the deep blue waters of the Southern Ocean that flow beneath your feet. The power of the surge, white water exploding like a firework leaving your mind in awe.
Whale Species in Bremer Bay
The two seasons bring with them different whale species with some of the most elusive animals found in Australian waters often sighted out in the Bremer Canyon. The nursery grounds for Southern Right Whales located closer to the coastline are a vital part for the growth of these endangered species.
Orca – Killer Whale
The largest congregation known in the southern hemisphere has over 150 individuals gathering from January to April. The family pod’s of Killer Whales or Orca are feeding on squid and pelagic fish species during this time of year, some of the Orca’s are generalist’s, meaning they prey on varied diets, including other cetaceans and we often sight social behaviour, live hunts and interaction with our vessel and guests onboard.
Sperm Whale
The largest toothed predator on the planet who also has the largest brain of any creature on earth, the Sperm Whale is certainly a very impressive individual. An apex predator in their own right, Sperm Whales also feast on the millions of squid that gather in the Canyon during January to March.
Pilot Whales
One of the most beautiful whale species we interact with, the large family pods of Pilot Whales can see hundreds of individual travelling together with most of the pods we interact with numbering from 200 – 1,000 individuals. Highly social and interactive most will often come right up to our vessel to check everyone out before continuing their busy forging for the next meal.
Southern Right Whales
During July to October the heavily pregnant female Southern Right Whales arrive along the southern coastlines of Australia to give birth to the next generation. Resting in the calm and sheltered waters of Bremer Bay the will raise their calves over the cold winter months in protected waters as they prepare for their late spring migration back towards Antarctica. During this time of year the occasional sighting of Humpback Whales can also be spotted as they migrate past the coastline.
Other Species Sighted in Bremer Canyon
The list of different species sighted in the canyon is unique to this marine eco frontier and although not sighted on every trip, these are just some of the amazing sightings we often encounter. Sunfish, Beaked Whales, Oceanic Dolphin Species, NZ Fur Seals, Australian Sea Lions, Sharks, Albatross and other pelagic bird and fish species.
Bremer Bay Boat Harbour
Located at the end of Swarbrick Road, the Bremer Bay Boat Harbour is only a short five minute drive out of town. There is plenty of free parking along with a local Australian Sea Lion who can often be sighted cruising around the harbour. Neighbouring Glassy Island is often home to thousandths of nesting seabirds depending on the season and there is also a colony of Australian Sea Lions and Fairy Penguins who happily call Glassy Island home.
Getting to Bremer Bay
Bremer Bay is located 5.5 hours drive from Perth or a two hour drive from Albany. Self drive, planes and personalised bus transport are the best ways to get there. Should you be travelling with a caravan it is the perfect place to add into your travel itinerary and spend a few days enjoying the pristine beaches.
Weather in Bremer Bay
During our Orca season (January to March) we see the average temperature between 15 to 26°C (59 to 80°F) and beautiful warm sunny days. The Southern Right Whales arrival in the sheltered bays along the coastline bring with them the cooler days of winter and spring. July to October will see an average temperature of 12 to 24°C (53 to 75°F) and a warm jacket is always useful all year round.
What to do in Bremer Bay
The peaceful township of Bremer Bay is a perfect place to spend some time enjoying the natural beauty and wildlife of the region. Fishing, surfing, paddle boarding, the Historical Wellstead Museum, Leafy Sea Dragon Dives and a round of golf or a tennis match are great ways to spend your time. The calmness of the coastal town will allow you to unwind and enjoy nature at its finest, especially when there are wild Orca just waiting for you to meet them!
