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Sightings of majestic species of whale, or maamoong in Noongar, make a visit to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island an especially memorable experience. Surrounded by the expansive Indian Ocean, the island offers a unique opportunity to see these gentle giants from different vantage points across land, sea and sky.
The Perth whale watching season runs through winter and spring, from August to December, although whales can sometimes be seen as early as June and July. During this time, approximately 35,000 whales migrate through Western Australian waters, with humpback whales, southern right whales and newborn calves lingering in the calm ocean around Rottnest Island.
Look out for distinctive blowhole spray or barnacled bodies while on board the ferry, with whale sightings possible on the journey to and from Perth. Upon your arrival, make your way to one, or all, of the land-based island lookouts for glimpses of these gentle giants in the surrounding marine reserve waters. Boat and plane tours that take you on or above the ocean also offer a unique vantage point for your whale watching experience.
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Humpback whales
Southern right whales
Bottlenose dolphins
Long-nosed fur seals
Your whale watching experience can begin on the ferry journey from Perth, with sightings possible on the way to and from the island. Arrive early to secure a window seat or spot on the open-air deck, where you can relish the refreshing sea air and increase your chances of spotting distinctive blowhole spray or barnacled bodies rising above the water.
On the island, make for the West End by bike or bus, where two viewing platforms beckon at Cape Vlamingh and Cathedral Rocks. Both are equipped with binoculars for the best views of any maamoong (whale) movement and other wildlife, such as frolicking dolphins, lounging long-nosed fur seals and the iconic yoorndoordoo (osprey). This end of the island welcomes hours of exploration, with amenities close by.
Closer to the main Settlement, Pinky Beach is a popular place to spot whales during whale watching season. Ascend the stairs to Bathurst Lighthouse and cast your gaze far across the horizon. Little Armstrong Bay also provides a reliable lookout point for visitors exploring beyond the Settlement.
To get the ultimate view, take to the skies. Rottnest Air-Taxi operates daily scenic flights that allow you to appreciate the entirety of the island below, including any whales that may be dancing above and beneath the waves.
Operating September to April
If your visit occurs before January, your boat tour could include glimpses of the ocean’s graceful acrobats. Pods of humpback whales commonly breach and offer a breathtaking sideshow to this tour. Earlier in the season, you’ll still be able to spot the whales from various coastal lookouts on the island.
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These creatures cruise at a relaxed pace while showing off their acrobatic side. Delight in a rare sighting of a “head stand”, which involves the whales tipping themselves vertical and waving their flukes in the air. Occasionally these whales will breach (jump out of the water) up to ten times in a row.
When it comes to travelling through the sea, southern right whales tend to be solitary or move only in small groups. The exception is when they are in breeding areas, during which time they swim in larger pods.
This species of whale is larger and more commonly spotted near the island. Humpbacks are powerful swimmers and will sometimes throw themselves out of the water and roll in the air before crashing down. This behaviour is a beautiful sight to behold but remains a mystery to scientists. These whales migrate in groups, so if you catch a glimpse of a distinctive hump or dorsal fin, there’s bound to be more nearby.
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Maamoong
Whale
Maambakoort
Ocean
Marawar
West End
Kwilena
Bottlenose dolphin
Pinky Beach, Little Armstrong Bay and West End are popular locations to whale watch on Rottnest Island at any time of day. Travel around to these locations during your visit to enjoy all that the island offers and increase your whale sighting chances along the way. You might also spot whales on your ferry journey as you approach or leave the island.
There are no specific whale watching tours on Rottnest Island, however there are tours that often see whales on their travels during the migratory season including Eco Express Boat Tours, and scenic flights with Rottnest Air-Taxi.
The best seasons for whale watching from the vantage points on Rottnest Island is during winter and spring. Whales can be seen as early as June and July. The migratory period officially takes place from August to December, further increasing your chances of sightings on the ferry, on boat tours, and from the island.
You can expect to see quokkas, birdlife, long-nosed fur seals, bottlenose dolphins and Australian sea lions throughout the year. Warmer months increase sightings of reptiles, then during winter various frog species repopulate around the wetlands. From August until December, you may even spot whales migrating through the waters around the island.
Whales are migrating through the waters surrounding Wadjemup / Rottnest Island at all times of the day during whale watching season, so there is no particular time of day that is best to spot them.
Humpback whales are by far the most commonly seen species around Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, passing the island in large numbers during their southbound migration. Southern right whales are seen less frequently, while blue whales have occasionally been sighted in the deeper waters off the island.
The easiest way is the Island Explorer hop-on hop-off bus, which stops at the West End. Cycling takes roughly 30 to 50 minutes each way from the Settlement depending on fitness and stops, and the ride is hilly in places. Walking is around 10 kilometres each way and is only recommended for experienced hikers using the Wadjemup Bidi trail network.
The humpback highway is the migration corridor humpback whales follow along the Western Australian coast between their Antarctic feeding grounds and their Kimberley breeding grounds. Estimates put the number of whales using it at 35,000 to 45,000 each year. Rottnest Island sits on the southbound leg of that route, which is why the West End is one of the most reliable land-based viewing points near Perth.
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