Perth Whale Watching Tours

Perth whale watching tours follow the humpback migration along the Sunset Coast. The main season runs from September to November, and cruises leave from Hillarys Boat Harbour, a half-hour drive from the city. This page covers when to go, what a morning on the water involves and how to fit it around the rest of your trip. For the bigger picture, start with things to do in Perth, or see whale watching tours across Australia and New Zealand for other coastlines.

When is whale watching season in Perth

Humpback whales pass Perth on their way south to Antarctic feeding grounds, and September to November is the best stretch to see them. Exact timing shifts from year to year with water temperature and weather.

Cruises such as the 2-hour whale watching cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour run daily from late August to November, subject to whale activity. Whale watching here is seasonal, so it pays to plan the dates of your Perth trip around spring.

What a whale watching cruise from Hillarys involves

A Hillarys cruise is a 2-hour trip on a boat built for the job, with open deck space and a panoramic rooftop so you can move around for the best view. A marine scientist on board talks you through what you're looking at, and snacks and a licensed bar are on hand if you want a drink with the horizon.

Look for the blow first, the misty puff that gives a whale away from a distance. Then watch for breaches and tail slaps as the whales play offshore. A camera is the one thing the operator asks you to bring, and the open decks suit it.

Getting to the Sunset Coast from Perth

Hillarys Boat Harbour is about a half-hour drive from Perth along the Sunset Coast, and parking at the harbour is free for cruises like the Hillarys one. If you'd rather not drive, complimentary transfers from selected Perth hotels are available on some cruises. They need to be prebooked and depend on availability.

The whale cruise meeting point is on Southside Drive, and AQWA, the aquarium, is on the same road at number 91. That makes a whale cruise in the morning and an aquarium visit in the afternoon an easy day out, and tickets are listed under Perth zoos and aquariums.

Tickets and booking for a Perth whale watching cruise

Tickets are sold for adults, children, families and concession card holders, and sessions are listed at 9am and 12pm. Cruises depart subject to whale activity, so check your confirmation for the latest on the day you're booked.

Other trips on the water, from dinner cruises to Rottnest Island runs, sit under Perth cruises, and guided days out are collected in Perth tours.

Whale watching beyond Perth

Western Australia has whale watching along a long coastline, and each area has its own page. Look at whale watching in Margaret River for the south-west, or whale watching in Exmouth and whale watching at Ningaloo Reef further up the coast. The national page covers every whale watching region in one place.

Frequently asked questions

When is whale watching season in Perth?

Whale watching season in Perth runs from September to November, when humpback whales migrate south past the Perth coast towards Antarctic feeding grounds. Cruises from Hillarys Boat Harbour run daily from late August to November, subject to whale activity.

How long is a whale watching tour from Perth?

A whale watching tour from Hillarys Boat Harbour is a 2-hour cruise, with commentary from a marine scientist on board.

Where do Perth whale watching tours leave from?

Perth whale watching tours leave from Hillarys Boat Harbour on the Sunset Coast, about a half-hour drive from Perth. Parking at the harbour is free, and transfers from selected Perth hotels can be prebooked subject to availability.

Can children go on a whale watching cruise in Perth?

Yes. The Hillarys whale watching cruise sells child tickets for ages 4 to 12 and a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children.

What should I bring whale watching in Perth?

Bring a camera. The Hillarys cruise has open deck space and a panoramic rooftop, and snacks and a licensed bar are available on board.

Can I cancel a whale watching booking in Perth?

The Hillarys whale watching cruise can be cancelled for free, with a 48-hour cut-off before the experience.

Pick a morning on the Sunset Coast between September and November, then book your Perth whale watching cruise online. More ideas for the rest of the trip are under Perth attractions.