Whale Watching from Augusta in Western Australia

The best part of this two-hour cruise across Flinders Bay is the chance to watch humpback whales resting in open water before they continue north. You may also spot southern right whales, though sightings are never guaranteed with wild animals.

I like the boat’s several viewing areas, especially the roomy bow and flybridge, and I like the practical extras: coffee or tea, a photo CD, and a 10% discount at The Colour Patch restaurant. The main catch is simple: this is a weather-dependent wildlife trip, so the ocean may not cooperate on your chosen day.

Key points to know before you book

• Whales in natural surroundings: Look for humpback whales resting in Flinders Bay, with occasional southern right whales.
• Tradewind 3 viewing areas: Use the bow, rear deck, interior cabin, or flybridge, which accommodates up to 15 people.
• Two-hour morning departure: Meet at Augusta Boat Harbour on Leeuwin Road at 10:15 am.
• Small extras with real use: Coffee and tea are included, and each booking includes a CD of whale photographs.
• Restaurant savings: Your booking brings a 10% discount at The Colour Patch for lunch or dinner.
• Prepare for the sea: Wear warm layers and flat, comfortable shoes. High heels are not suitable.

Watching whales across Flinders Bay

This tour gives you a straightforward way to search for whales from Augusta. You board Tradewind 3 at Augusta Boat Harbour and head across Flinders Bay, where humpback whales can pause and rest before making their way north.

That setting matters. You are not watching trained animals perform on a schedule. You are looking for wild whales in their own environment, and the experience depends on weather, sea conditions, and where the animals happen to be that morning.

I like the honest shape of the outing. At roughly two hours, it is long enough to get out across the bay without taking up your whole day. You can still plan lunch, a walk, or another activity around it.

The stated meeting time is 10:15 am. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to Augusta Boat Harbour on Leeuwin Road. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point, which keeps the transport side simple.

Tradewind 3 and the best place to stand

Tradewind 3 is set up for whale watching rather than just getting from one point to another. It has a spacious bow, a rear deck, an interior cabin, and a flybridge that holds up to 15 people.

Each area gives you a different way to handle the trip. The bow should appeal if you want a broad forward view and the feel of being close to the water. The rear deck offers another outdoor position if the bow becomes crowded. The cabin gives you a sheltered place to watch when the wind picks up.

The flybridge is the special feature here. It provides a higher viewpoint, but you need to climb up to it, so comfortable shoes are important. The operator specifically asks you not to wear high heels. That is sensible advice, not a dress-code quibble. Flat shoes will make moving between the cabin, decks, and flybridge easier.

The boat can carry a maximum of 38 people, while the flybridge is limited to 15. That means you should not expect everyone to have the same elevated viewing position. The several decks help spread people out, but you may still want to move around rather than claim one place for the entire trip.

What you may see on the water

Humpback whales are the main target. The tour focuses on whales resting in the bay before heading north, so the most likely experience is a patient search for animals at the surface rather than a constant show of jumps and splashes.

You may also see southern right whales. They are described as occasional sightings, so treat them as a bonus rather than the central reason to book.

I appreciate that the tour frames the encounter around natural behavior. A whale resting quietly can be just as meaningful as a dramatic breach, but it requires a little patience. Bring your camera for the chance of a memorable shot, while remembering that wildlife photography from a moving boat is unpredictable.

The included photo CD is a pleasant extra. It gives you a visual keepsake from the outing, which is useful if your own pictures are blurred, distant, or blocked by another passenger at the key moment. It does not replace seeing the whales yourself, but it takes some pressure off getting the perfect photograph.

Why the two-hour length works

A two-hour cruise suits you if you want a focused wildlife outing rather than a full-day commitment. It leaves room in your schedule for other plans and limits the amount of time you spend on a moving boat if you are unsure how well you handle the sea.

The shorter format also makes this easier for families and mixed-age groups. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, the boat requires movement between viewing areas, including access to the flybridge and front deck, so you should be comfortable with that before booking.

There is a tradeoff. A two-hour trip gives the crew less time to search if whales are farther away or slow to appear. A longer cruise could offer more time, but this outing’s compact schedule is part of its appeal and value.

Comfort, sea sickness, and what to bring

Bring warm clothing even if the morning begins pleasantly on shore. Wind on the bay can make an open deck feel much cooler, and you will enjoy the experience more if you can stay outside comfortably.

The boat has an interior cabin, which gives you a place to get out of the wind. Coffee and tea are included, another small touch that matters on a cool morning.

Sea sickness deserves a practical note. Anti-nausea wristbands are mentioned as part of the offering, but the detailed inclusions say they are available for purchase onboard rather than included in the ticket. I would confirm this point before departure instead of assuming they are free.

If you know you are prone to motion sickness, bring whatever personal remedy you normally use and ask about the wristbands when you board. The information provided does not promise calm water, so preparation is wise.

Wear comfortable shoes with good stability. You may want to move from the cabin to an outside deck, or climb toward the flybridge when a whale is spotted. High heels are specifically unsuitable.

Guides, hosting, and the feel of the trip

A tour escort or host accompanies the cruise. The available feedback gives the crew credit for being friendly and informative, and that combination is important on a wildlife outing. You want clear direction when an animal appears, along with enough explanation to understand what you are seeing.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named host to be guaranteed. The quality of the outing will depend partly on how the crew manages sightings, passenger movement, and changing conditions on the day.

A good whale cruise does not need constant commentary. The useful role of the host is to help you spot the animals, explain the behavior in front of you, and keep the mood relaxed when the search takes time. The strongest praise attached to this experience centers on the crew, the comfortable boat, and the chance to see whales in their natural setting.

The restaurant discount at The Colour Patch

Your booking includes a 10% discount at The Colour Patch for lunch or dinner. This is one of the more useful extras because the cruise ends back at Augusta Boat Harbour, making a meal an easy addition to your day.

The discount does not make the cruise cheaper at the time of booking, but it can improve the total value if you already plan to eat at The Colour Patch. You should treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to book the whale trip by itself.

The timing works well for lunch after the morning departure. Dinner is also an option if your plans take you elsewhere during the day. The available details do not provide a reservation time or menu information, so check directly with the restaurant if you want to build a tightly timed itinerary.

Is $68.14 a fair price?

At $68.14 per person, this sits in a reasonable range for a two-hour boat-based wildlife experience, especially since coffee or tea, a host, and a photo CD are included.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If your priority is a short, direct chance to search for humpback whales without committing to a full day, the price is appealing. You also receive access to a boat with several viewing areas and a restaurant discount.

If you measure value only by guaranteed whale sightings, the calculation becomes less certain. No responsible wildlife operator can promise that animals will appear on cue, and poor weather can cancel the cruise. I would book it because of the chance to see whales in the bay, not because the ticket guarantees a close encounter.

The 10% discount at The Colour Patch adds a little more value, particularly if you are already planning a meal there. The photo CD is another thoughtful touch, though it should not be treated as a major financial saving.

Booking ahead and handling bad weather

This experience is booked an average of 24 days in advance, which suggests that planning ahead is sensible, especially if your visit to Augusta is short. If whale watching is a priority, reserve early enough to give yourself some flexibility.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep it on your phone. There is no hotel transfer, and you must reach the boat harbour yourself.

The cruise requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being stuck with a bad-weather outing, but it is worth leaving some space in your schedule if possible.

For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:15 am start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Augusta cruise?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• A short wildlife trip that fits into a morning
• A chance to see humpback whales in the wild
• Several places to watch from rather than one fixed seat
• A boat trip with a cabin as well as outdoor decks
• A simple add-on meal plan using the discount at The Colour Patch
• A family-friendly activity where most people can participate

It may be less suitable if you need a guaranteed animal sighting, dislike moving boats, or want hotel pickup. It is also worth thinking twice if climbing toward the flybridge or front deck would be difficult for you.

The maximum group size is 38 people, so this is not a private charter. The flybridge holds up to 15, and the different deck areas help with viewing, but you should expect to share the boat and adjust your position when other people need a look.

My practical booking advice

Wear warm layers from the start, even if the shore feels mild. Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole cruise staring through its screen. The best moment may be brief, and your own eyes are more reliable than a rushed photograph.

Arrive ready to board at Augusta Boat Harbour, with your mobile ticket available. Since the meeting point and ending point are the same, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

Ask about anti-nausea wristbands onboard because the supplied details differ on whether they are provided or sold. If sea sickness is a concern, prepare before departure rather than waiting until the boat is moving.

Try the different viewing areas. The bow, rear deck, cabin, and flybridge each offer a different angle, and the most useful spot can change with wind, sun, and the direction of a sighting.

Should you book All Sea Charters?

Book this tour if you want a well-priced, two-hour search for humpback whales from Augusta, with a comfortable boat, several viewing areas, a host, and a few practical extras. The strongest reasons to go are the natural setting, the chance of seeing whales resting in Flinders Bay, and the compact morning schedule.

Skip it if a whale sighting must be guaranteed or if you need hotel pickup. For everyone else, I would make room for it in an Augusta itinerary, particularly if you can keep your plans flexible around the weather and enjoy lunch afterward at The Colour Patch.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

It starts at Augusta Boat Harbour on Leeuwin Road, Leeuwin, Western Australia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:15 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and finishes back at the meeting point.

Which whales might I see?

The main focus is humpback whales. Southern right whales may also be seen occasionally.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Augusta Boat Harbour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel.