Whale Watching from Augusta in Western Australia

The main event here is the chance to see humpback whales resting in Flinders Bay before they continue north. You spend about two hours aboard Tradewind 3, moving between the flybridge, bow, rear deck, and interior cabin as the crew searches for whales in their own environment.

I like the boat’s range of viewing spots and the useful little extras, especially coffee or tea and a photo CD included with each booking. I also like the 10% discount at The Colour Patch, which gives you an easy meal option after returning to Augusta.

The main consideration is the weather. This is an outdoor wildlife trip, not a guaranteed whale sighting, and rough conditions can lead to a cancellation or changed date. Bring warm clothing, wear sensible shoes, and plan around the 10:15 a.m. departure.

Key points at a glance

• Tradewind 3 has several viewing areas: Use the flybridge, front deck, rear deck, or indoor cabin as conditions and whale activity change.
• Humpback whales are the main target: You may also see southern right whales resting in Flinders Bay.
• The cruise lasts about two hours: That gives the crew time to search while keeping the outing manageable for most schedules.
• Small flybridge capacity: Up to 15 people can use the raised flybridge, while the total group size can reach 38.
• Useful extras are built in: Coffee and tea are included, and each booking comes with a CD of whale pictures.
• You receive a meal discount: The Colour Patch offers passengers a 10% discount after the cruise.

Why Flinders Bay is a good place to look for whales

Flinders Bay gives this cruise a natural setting rather than a staged animal encounter. The trip takes you away from Augusta Boat Harbour and out across the bay, where humpback whales may pause before continuing north.

That matters because you are looking for animals in open water. A whale might surface close to the boat, remain farther away, or stay below the surface while the crew searches. I like this kind of outing best when you treat it as wildlife watching, not a scheduled performance.

The main species named for this cruise is the humpback whale. Southern right whales are also possible, though they are described as occasional sightings. You should keep your expectations sensible: the tour is designed to improve your chances, but no boat trip can promise a whale appearing at a particular time.

Flinders Bay also gives the outing a clear sense of place. You are not simply watching a screen or visiting a pool. You are crossing the water where these whales rest and move through their seasonal route. That makes the experience feel more connected to the region.

Boarding at Augusta Boat Harbour at 10:15 a.m.

The meeting point is Augusta Boat Harbour on Leeuwin Road, in the Leeuwin area of Western Australia. The tour begins at 10:15 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You will need to make your own way to the harbour, but the meeting point is near public transportation. If you are staying elsewhere around the southwest, allow time to reach Augusta, park, and find the boat before departure.

The supplied information gives Busselton as the tour location, but the actual departure point is Augusta Boat Harbour. Check your booking details carefully and use the harbour address as your practical meeting reference.

Wear comfortable shoes. High heels are specifically discouraged because you may climb to the flybridge and move onto the front deck. I would also bring a warm layer even if the morning feels mild on shore. Open water can feel cooler, and you may spend much of the trip outside.

A camera is worth bringing. The whale sightings are unpredictable, but the bay, boat, and sudden surface appearances all give you reasons to keep it ready.

Tradewind 3 and its four ways to watch

Tradewind 3 is set up for changing conditions and different viewing preferences. The flybridge can hold up to 15 people, giving a smaller group access to a raised position above the main deck.

The front deck is useful when you want a clear view ahead and a closer feel for the movement of the boat. It may be less appealing if the wind picks up, so keep your warm layer handy.

The rear deck offers another outdoor option and may suit you if you prefer to stand back from the bow. The boat also has an interior cabin, which gives you a place to get out of the weather while still watching for whales.

This variety is one of the strongest parts of the trip. You are not locked into one seat or one angle for two hours. If the sun, wind, or sea conditions change, you can move around. The indoor cabin also gives you a practical fallback if you begin to feel uncomfortable.

The total group size can reach 38 people, while the flybridge is limited to 15. That means the raised viewing area may not hold everyone at once. You should be prepared to share the best spots and move between the boat’s different decks.

The two-hour search for humpbacks

The outing follows a simple route: board at All Sea Charters in Augusta, cross Flinders Bay, search for whales, and return to the harbour. There is no series of land-based stops, so most of your time is spent on the water.

A tour escort or host accompanies the trip. The crew’s job is to help you watch safely and make the most of each sighting, but the available information does not provide guide names. You can expect assistance from the tour team rather than a named naturalist-led program.

During the search, keep scanning rather than staring at one point. Whales surface without warning, and the best view may come from a different side of the boat. The front, rear deck, flybridge, and cabin each offer a different angle.

The cruise is listed at about two hours. That is long enough to give the crew time to look across the bay, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing around Augusta. You should still allow extra time before and after the scheduled trip for boarding and the return to shore.

The most rewarding part is the uncertainty. A whale surfacing in open water feels more special because it is not placed there for you. The trade-off is that the experience can feel quieter than a tightly scheduled attraction if the animals remain distant or submerged.

What the whale sightings may be like

The tour focuses on humpback whales as they rest in the bay before heading north. You may also see southern right whales, but those sightings are occasional.

The supplied details do not promise a minimum number of whales, a guaranteed close approach, or a particular behavior. That is important when deciding how to spend your money. You are paying for the boat, crew, search time, viewing access, and chance to see whales in the wild.

I would book this if you value the setting and the possibility of a genuine wildlife moment. I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed photograph or a fixed sequence of close sightings.

The boat’s several viewing areas help. A raised flybridge can give you a wider view, while the bow and rear deck let you follow activity from different positions. The interior cabin helps make the trip more comfortable if the weather turns cool.

The cruise does not replace patience. Bring your camera, but also enjoy the bay when no whale is visible. The best approach is to see the tour as a search across whale habitat, with sightings as the reward rather than the entire product.

Comfort, sea sickness, and what to bring

Sea sickness is the main comfort issue to consider. Anti-nausea wristbands are available for purchase onboard for passengers who may suffer from motion sickness. If you are prone to feeling unwell at sea, plan ahead and ask the crew about the available option before the boat gets moving.

You can also make the ride easier by dressing warmly and choosing a viewing position that feels comfortable. The boat’s interior cabin provides shelter, while the outside decks give better open-air viewing. You can move between them as needed.

Coffee and tea are included. That is a modest extra, but it is welcome on a cool morning and saves you from needing to organize a drink before boarding.

The included information also lists an air-conditioned vehicle. Since the main activity takes place aboard a boat, treat this as part of the supplied transport information rather than assuming it describes every part of the cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Pack these practical items:

• Warm clothing, even on a pleasant shore-side morning
• Comfortable shoes with secure footing
• A camera
• Any personal motion-sickness supplies you normally use
• Your booking confirmation

What the $68.14 price really covers

At $68.14 per person, this sits at a reasonable price for a two-hour wildlife cruise, especially with coffee or tea, a tour host, and a photo CD included. The value depends mainly on what you want from a whale trip.

You receive a boat ride across Flinders Bay, access to several viewing areas, crew support, and time dedicated to finding humpbacks. The photo CD adds a keepsake, which is useful if your own camera misses a quick surfacing.

The 10% discount at The Colour Patch improves the overall value if you plan to eat there after the cruise. It is not a meal included in the ticket, but it gives you a practical way to continue the outing with a lower-cost lunch or dinner.

I would not judge the price by the number of whales alone. Wildlife sightings are never fully controlled. Judge it by the quality of the boat setup, the time on the water, the chance to see whales in their natural surroundings, and the extras that remain useful even if the animals keep their distance.

The group limit of 38 is also worth noting. This is not an unlimited crowd, but it is not a private charter either. If you want the flybridge, arrive ready to share it with other passengers.

The Colour Patch discount after the cruise

Every passenger receives a 10% discount at The Colour Patch. This gives the tour a nice practical finish, especially if you are planning your day around the morning departure.

You return to the same meeting point, so getting to the restaurant afterward should be straightforward in your own schedule. The offer is best viewed as a bonus rather than a reason to book the cruise by itself.

If you are deciding between a whale trip and a separate meal stop, the discount may help the cruise fit more neatly into your day. You can finish the water outing, warm up, and sit down for lunch or dinner without arranging a completely separate activity.

The details supplied do not state how long the discount remains valid or whether it applies to every menu item. Check the terms when you arrive if the saving matters to your budget.

Who will get the most from this Augusta cruise

I think this experience suits you if you want a short wildlife outing with a clear meeting point and a comfortable boat layout. Families, couples, photographers, and first-time whale watchers can all find something useful here, provided everyone is comfortable with the possibility of changing weather and uncertain sightings.

It also works well for a broader southwest itinerary. The two-hour duration leaves room for other plans, while the return to Augusta Boat Harbour keeps the logistics simple.

The trip may be less suitable if you need hotel transport, dislike open-water movement, or want a private group. It can also be a poor fit for anyone who expects a guaranteed close encounter.

Most travelers can participate, according to the supplied tour information. Still, you should be ready to climb onto the flybridge and front deck, which is why secure, comfortable footwear matters.

The tour is rated five out of five from 124 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. The praise centers on seeing whales in their natural habitat, friendly and informative crew service, and a comfortable boat. Those are the points I would give the most weight when making your decision.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The experience is booked, on average, 24 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your Western Australia schedule is fixed, especially if you have only one morning available in Augusta.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. I would avoid scheduling an important same-day transfer immediately after the cruise, since the return time can be affected by conditions.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone.

Should you book Whale Watching from Augusta?

Book it if you want a straightforward two-hour search for wild humpback whales with multiple viewing decks, a warm drink, a photo keepsake, and a meal discount afterward. The five-star rating and strong recommendation rate fit the tour’s clearest strengths: a comfortable boat, helpful crew, and the chance to see whales where they naturally rest.

Think twice if your schedule cannot handle weather changes or if a guaranteed close sighting is essential. Bring warm clothes, arrive at Augusta Boat Harbour before 10:15 a.m., and treat the whale encounter as a lucky part of a well-organized bay cruise.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Augusta Boat Harbour on Leeuwin Road, Leeuwin, Western Australia.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The whale-watching cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Augusta Boat Harbour.

What whales might I see?

The main target is the humpback whale. You may also see southern right whales resting in Flinders Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is food included?

Coffee and tea are included. A meal is not included, but passengers receive a 10% discount at The Colour Patch.

Are anti-nausea wristbands included?

Anti-nausea wristbands are available for purchase onboard for passengers who may suffer from sea sickness.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and wear comfortable shoes. High heels are not suitable because you may climb onto the flybridge and front deck.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.