Whales seen from Back Beach

People spending time near Bunbury beaches will begin to see whales heading south on their annual migration this month.

Humpback and southern right whales have been spotted off Back Beach as they return to the Southern Ocean after the females have given birth in the warm Kimberley waters.

Dolphin Discovery Centre marine biologist Phil Coulthard said he had seen southern right whales only 100m from the beach off Bunbury last week.

About 30,000 whales, including mothers and their calves, will swim past Bunbury between now and October.

Mr Coulthard said the best places to see the animals from was high areas near the lighthouse or further down towards Back Beach.

On a calm and clear day and from high places people were almost guaranteed to see them, he said.

“For us who live in Bunbury you’ve got a very high chance of seeing a whale.”

“I saw some as I passed by the surf club last week.”

He said southern right whales were more likely to come close to shore.

Mr Coulthard said the animals had even been interacting with the Bunbury dolphins.

Although it was not unusual for the two species to interact, he said it was rare to witness the interaction.

Mr Coulthard said he saw a big pod of dolphins playing with two male humpback whales from a boat off Bunbury.

“They see it quite a lot when they watch whales for long periods, ” he said.

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