Fleurieu Peninsula - Whale Watching
Go whale watching
Whale watching doesn’t get any better than this.
Drive 90 minutes from Adelaide to Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Between May and October, you’ll see one of nature’s true spectacles; the annual migration of the endangered southern right whale.
By boat or plane
If you’re lucky enough to get out on a boat or see the whales from the air, just remember there are strict regulations in place.
Boats must keep at least 300 metres away; planes, no lower than 300 metres with a 300 metre radius. Helicopters must stay 600 metres above a whale with a 600 metre radius.
If you’re swimming, then stay at least 30 metres from an adult and 100 metres from a calf.
For hundreds of years, southern right whales have been visiting Encounter Bay to find a mate or give birth. Once hunted to near extinction, their numbers are slowly rebuilding. Now as many as 80 travel here from the sub-Antarctic.
Stay for the show
Southern right whales will often come really close to the shore and put on a breathtaking show. They’ll “spy-hop” (stick their head out of the water for a look around), “tail slap” and “breach” (launch their entire body out of the water before crashing back in).
Just imagine the splash a 90 tonne, 18 metre whale makes!
Best viewing spots
There are lots of good places to see the action; Middleton, Basham’s Beach and the Granite Island clifftops are all popular. Make the most of your whale watching experience and visit the South Australian Whale Centre.
There you can pickup free whale watching maps and sightseeing information, plus book tours and activities for the whole family. They have a purpose-built classroom for school groups and run a full school holiday program.
Visit their website or call the Whale Information Hotline on 1900 WHALES (1900 942 537).
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