Whales in Flinders Bay can feel personal fast. This Augusta cruise takes you out on the water in search of humpback whales and, at times, southern right whales, right when they rest before heading north. The Tradewind 3 setup makes it easier to spot wildlife, with viewing space both inside and on deck.

I like two things a lot: you get a real shot at seeing whales in their natural habitat, and the crew runs the experience in a friendly, informative way, based on the feedback I’ve seen. I also appreciate the practical extras, like wristband support for sea sickness and a photo CD as a keepsake.

One drawback to consider is weather. This trip depends on good conditions, and since you are out on the bay, you’ll want warm layers and comfortable shoes in case the ride feels bouncy.

Quick hits before you go

• Flinders Bay whale search from Augusta Boat Harbour for humpbacks, with occasional southern right whales
• Tradewind 3 design with flybridge space (up to 15 people) plus an interior cabin for spotting
• Sea sickness help via anti-nausea wristbands, plus you can get them onboard if needed
• Photo memory included as a picture CD with each booking
• 10% restaurant discount for The Colour Patch after the cruise
• Small-ish group feel with a maximum of 38 travelers

Augusta whale watching, and why Flinders Bay is the point

This tour runs out of Augusta Boat Harbour, Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, Western Australia. You’re heading across Flinders Bay, where humpbacks are known to rest before moving north. That timing matters, because the cruise is set up around actually finding whales, not just driving past them.

I also like the geography of this kind of outing. When you scan the water from a boat, you’re not guessing from shore, and you can react quickly if a whale surfaces. Even if sightings are hit-or-miss, you’re spending your limited time on the water doing the right thing, searching in habitat.

There’s also a real value angle here. For a single cruise, you get more than just a ride, including refreshments, sea-sickness support, and a souvenir photo CD.

The Tradewind 3 setup, from flybridge views to calmer interior cabin time

The boat is the Tradewind 3. It’s designed for wildlife spotting, with a flybridge (noted for up to 15 people), a spacious bow, a rear deck, and an interior cabin for viewing.

Here’s what that means for you in real life. You can rotate between open air deck spotting and a more sheltered interior cabin if the wind or waves pick up. If someone in your group feels uneasy about the boat motion, you have options without ruining the whale watching for everyone.

Another practical detail: you’ll likely move around the boat a bit, including getting up to higher viewing spots. The tour specifically asks you to avoid high heels and wear comfortable shoes, so you can climb onto the flybridge and front deck safely.

And yes, this is the kind of ride where comfort matters. You’ll be standing, craning your neck, and staying alert for surface blows. The better your footing and clothing layers are, the more you’ll enjoy the spotting.

Your 2-hour cruise plan: what you do during the whale search

The tour runs for about 2 hours and starts at 10:15 am from Augusta Boat Harbour. It ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not dealing with a long travel transfer or a complicated route at the end of the day.

During that time, your goal is straightforward. The crew takes you out over Flinders Bay to look for humpback whales, and sometimes southern right whales, as they rest in the bay before heading north. That “resting then moving on” behavior is exactly what makes cruises like this so promising, because you’re visiting the area while whales may be congregating closer to the bay.

What I like about the structure is that it matches the biology you’re hoping to see. You’re not waiting around for an event that might happen elsewhere. You are actively searching, with multiple places to look, from open deck viewpoints to the interior cabin.

A small realism note: this is a wildlife tour, so you should keep expectations flexible. Your best odds come from being ready to spot quickly, staying engaged with the crew’s guidance, and dressing for the elements so you can stay outside and watching when it matters.

Helpful extras that actually improve the experience

This cruise includes several small comforts that add up during a time on the bay.

First, you get coffee and/or tea. It’s a simple inclusion, but it helps a lot when you’re out at sea and want something warm or at least comforting between scanning sessions.

Second, anti-sea-sickness support is built into the experience. The tour includes anti-nausea wristbands as part of the experience, and you can also get wristbands onboard. If you’re even mildly prone to motion sickness, don’t treat this as optional. Getting ahead of it lets you stay focused on spotting whales.

Third, you’ll receive a CD of pictures with each booking. This is a classic touch, and it gives you a backup memory if your photos don’t turn out exactly how you hoped. It’s also the kind of keepsake that works well for sharing the trip with family later.

Finally, there’s a tour escort or host. Having a real person guiding you and coordinating the experience helps, especially during whale spotting where timing matters.

Price and value: is $68.14 per person a fair deal?

At $68.14 per person, this whale watching cruise is priced like a focused 2-hour wildlife outing, not a full-day production. That’s important because you’re paying for time on the water, the search effort, and the included onboard perks.

Here’s where the value shows up:

• You’re not only watching from shore. You’re on the water in the habitat where humpbacks and sometimes southern right whales are present.
• You get coffee and/or tea plus sea-sickness wristband support.
• You receive a photo CD as a souvenir.
• You get a 10% discount for lunch or dinner at The Colour Patch in Augusta.

The restaurant discount can meaningfully stretch the day, especially if you plan to eat after the cruise. Even if you don’t eat right away, knowing the discount is there gives you an easy local option to pair with the tour.

What to keep in mind: the tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. The good news is that the meeting point is near public transportation, so you’re not locked into one specific transport method.

What to bring: warm layers, a camera, and shoes with grip

The tour’s packing advice is clear, and it’s worth taking seriously. Bring warm clothing. Even if the day starts mild, sea air can cool things quickly, and you’ll be standing outside while scanning.

Bring a camera. Whale watching is a “wait for the moment” activity, and the payoff comes when a blow or tail movement lines up with your lens.

Wear comfortable shoes with grip. The tour explicitly says no high heels because you may climb onto the flybridge and front deck. If you’ve ever tried to watch wildlife while balancing on slick footwear, you already know why this matters.

You’ll also want to plan for the sea conditions. The tour requires good weather, so you may get a smoother ride than you expect on a random day. Still, assume the bay can be bouncy, and dress like you might feel it.

If you get chilly easily, I’d err on the warm side. You’re out for about two hours, and it’s easier to peel off a layer than to show up underdressed.

Group size, comfort, and who this tour suits best

This experience is capped at a maximum of 38 travelers. That’s a key detail because you’ll feel it in the coordination on board. At the same time, the boat features like the flybridge and interior cabin suggest you’re not packed shoulder to shoulder the whole time.

This tour suits you if:

• You want the best realistic chance of whale sightings rather than hoping for wildlife from shore.
• You like guided experiences where someone helps you understand what you’re seeing.
• You want comfort supports, like sea-sickness wristbands and warm drinks.

It may be less ideal if:

• You strongly dislike boat movement and can’t manage mild seasickness, even with wristband help.
• You have mobility or balance issues that make climbing onto decks uncomfortable. The tour asks for stable footwear for a reason.

A good strategy is to pick a viewing spot you can use comfortably. If you feel fine outside, you’ll do great on deck. If you start feeling queasy, use the interior cabin as your reset space.

Should you book this Augusta whale watching cruise?

I’d book it if you’re in the Augusta area and your main goal is whale watching from the water. The tour is purpose-built for spotting, and the included touches, like anti-nausea wristband support and a photo CD, make it feel like more than just a ticket to a boat ride.

I’d hesitate only if weather could be a problem for your schedule. Since the trip depends on good conditions, you should build in flexibility and be ready to reschedule if needed.

If you want a straightforward, high-probability outing with practical comfort support, this one fits. And after the cruise, you can use that 10% discount at The Colour Patch to turn the day into a simple full local experience.

FAQ

What time does the whale watching tour start from Augusta Boat Harbour?

The tour starts at 10:15 am at Augusta Boat Harbour on Leeuwin Rd. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 2 hours.

What whales are you looking for on this tour?

The cruise searches for humpback whales in their natural environment. Southern right whales may also be seen occasionally.

What is included with my ticket?

You get tour escort or host support, coffee and/or tea, and anti-nausea wristbands support for those who may need it. You also receive a 10% discount for The Colour Patch, and you get a CD of pictures as a keepsake.

Do they pick me up from my hotel?

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

What should I wear or bring?

Bring warm clothing and a camera. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid high heels, since you may need to climb onto the flybridge and front deck.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.