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Augusta, in Western Australia, a small town southwest of Perth, is an awe-inspiring experience that welcomes both local and out-of-towners with the grandeur of whales in their natural setting. Located on the point where the Southern and Indian Oceans merge, Augusta is perfectly situated to enjoy the annual migration of southern right and humpback whales. This article goes on to take a deep dive into the exciting realm of Augusta whale watching and the Margaret River, providing you with all you need to know for an incredible oceanic experience.
Best Place to Experience Whale Watching
The scenic coastal town of Augusta on the far southwestern tip of Western Australia is famous for whale watching. Between June and August, the waters off Augusta turn Whale Highway as southern right whales and humpbacks follow their path north. From the icy waters of Antarctica, these animals will travel up to warmer breeding grounds along the coast of Australia and you get a chance to see them in action!
Why Augusta?
- Optimum Whale Viewing Location: The protected bays and inlets of Augusta provide the perfect setting to watch whales in their calm waters. Whales get into the bays, and they come in quite close to shore, being great-sighted from both land and sea.
- Diverse Marine Life: A variety of marine species are attracted to the abundant waters off Augusta, in addition to southern right and humpback whales, with dolphins and seals often making an appearance throughout the season, not to mention a range of seabirds for each journey across the water.
- Regional Natural Assets: As Augusta is close to some of the South West’s finest natural assets, including the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, this makes it even more attractive overall.
Augusta Whale Watching Tours
Augusta has several well-respected tour operators that offer whale-watching expeditions, including expert commentary and purpose-built sea-going vessels to ensure the best possible viewing while keeping you warm and dry. Augusta whale-watching excursions tend to be 2-4 hours in length and are accompanied by narration of the animals, their biology, and conservation issues.
Best Advice for Your Whale Watching Tour
One of the great things to do down south is go on an Augusta whale-watching cruise or the Margaret River whale-watching cruise. However, to make the excitement worth it, a little bit of planning goes a long way. To relish your journey to the maximum, here are some helpful tips that would be useful for you on a whale watching tour:
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Book in Advance
While whale-watching cruises are still quite popular, they may get very full during Augusta’s and Margaret River’s peak migration season, which runs from June to August. By booking your vacation early, there is less chance that you will miss the tour if there are specific dates you would like to take it on.
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Dress Appropriately
- Layer Up: Water temperatures can vary so layering is a must, just in case it gets windy and chilly. Layering helps you stay close to or far from each other. Layer over a base layer with long sleeves topped by an insulating sweater, then finish the look off with waterproof gear.
- Footwear: Sport non-slip and comfortable shoes to stay safe on the boat. Decks are slippery so having a good grip is nice.
- Accessories: To avoid being sunburnt, carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Even with a cloud cover, UV rays are strong out on the water.
3. Bring Essentials
- Camera & Lenses: If you want to capture this moment, please make sure you use a good camera and binoculars too! If you bring binoculars, it will heighten your whale-watching experience as you can see the whales up close.
- Water and Producer Food: Remember to pack water and some light snacks. Although some tours do offer refreshments, having your own will ensure you stay hydrated and energized throughout the tour.
- Seasickness cures: For people inclined to motion sickness, consider bringing along anti-motion sickness pills or wearing control-acupressure arm ornaments. Anything sits in the middle of the boat with minimal movement as well.
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Respect Wildlife
- Always Keep Your Distance: The main pull of swimming with the whales is that these giants are so majestic and impressive but it’s important to always respect them by swimming in a white path (a natural behavior corridor), keeping your distance from them. Whales are generally regarded as follows, with specific guidelines designed to avoid disturbing the animals by tour operators.
- Quiet Observation: Be sure to turn down the radio and keep all other noises to a minimum, while you avoid sudden movements that could scare off the whales. Mentally, it’s an enjoyable but not widely shared experience.
- Follow Guides: Observe the directions and advice that your tour guide has given you. They have been taught to look out for the whales’ welfare as well as yours.
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Stay Informed
- Educational Insights: Listen to the guide. These guides give you the lowdown on whale behavior, biologies, and conservation and enrich your experience.
- Ask Questions: Start asking your questions without any hesitations. Most guides are nature (and marine life) nerds, and they will probably tell you the life story of each creature.
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Choose the Right Time of Day:
- Morning Tours: Morning tours are best to see calmer seas and better lighting for photography. Morning tours may also offer the benefit of marine life, including sightings and whale crashes (whales being more active in the early hours).
- Weather Forecasting: Be sure to check the weather forecast before your visit. Whales can sometimes be easier to see on overcast days because there is less glinting off the surface of the water.
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Understand Whale Behaviour
- Breaching: If a whale leaps up out of the water and crashes back down, this is known as breaching. This spectacular performance usually makes up a good half-minute for onlookers.
- Spy-Hopping: When their bodies rise vertically out of the water to get a better look at the people, penguins, and elephant seals on land. That way, they get a better view of what might be happening up above the water.
- Tail-Slapping: Whales slapping their tails on the water surface may be a form of communication or even a technique to just stun prey. It is rather an impressively noisy spectacle.
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Respect Environmental Impact
- Leave No Trace: Leave no trace of your visit to the holy places and areas you are traveling through. Make sure to pack out all your waste and bring reusable water bottles or eco-friendly packaged snacking options.
- Support Sustainable Practices: Choose sustainable Augusta whale watching and ethical operators. Thank you for helping others shop with businesses that align their values regarding healthy oceans!
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Be Patient
- Natural Encounters: Remember that whale watching is a wildlife experience. While sightings are common, they are not guaranteed. Patience is key, and anticipation can make the eventual sighting even more rewarding.
- Cherish the Process: Across your swim, you will witness stunning views and marine life. The experience is often accompanied by dolphins, seals, and a variety of seabirds.
Conclusion
Augusta whale watching can provide an awesome insight into the lives of some of her most majestic creatures. With the best weather to view whales and a wealth of marine wildlife, Augusta is the place for more than just whale watching. Spending some time in the nearby Margaret River region will only sweeten the deal by giving more chances to see wildlife, dine on gourmet food, and explore local vineyards at their best.
Whether you are a keen marine lover or a novice, when it comes to watching whales in Augusta and Margaret River, Mother Nature offers an experience we cannot afford to lose.