August – October
The largest humpback whale migration happens right here in Western Australia. Every year a population of well over 35000 whales migrates from the food-rich waters of Antarctica to the warm waters of Northern Australia where pregnant female humpbacks give birth.
Exmouth Gulf is of particular importance for humpback whale mothers, since its warm, shallow, and enclosed waters provide them with a quiet nursery area where they can nurture their calves, regain energy to continue their migration back South, and play.
Out in the Gulf waters, you can have the luck of witnessing a humpback mother taking care of her calve, male individuals, showing off and singing to a fertile female to conquer her for the next breeding season, and admiring all the different behaviours of these extremely intelligent mammals.
After a few months, once the young have grown enough and gained energy, whales will start heading back to their Antarctic feeding grounds, where they will complete their 7000 km journey, the longest mammal migration on Earth.
Many other species of whales are occasionally sighted in Exmouth Gulf and surroundings, including Blue Whales, pigmy Blue Whales, Southern Right Whales, False Killer Whales, Bryde’s whales and Dwarf Minke whales.
You could also possibly see During this period Manta-Ray, the shy and elusive Dugong, Sea Snakes, Dolphin and of course our friends the Turtles
This a brilliant time of year to explore the southern gulf Island. The spend the night anchored within in sight of up to 20 Humpback whales. Marvel at their majesty as they teach, play, socialize and sleep. Cap all of that of as you listen through our hydrophone the male choir of whales share their songs.