Best WA Marine Wildlife Interactions for December

Western Australia has many spectacular nature-based activities and wildlife viewing is high on the list. Migration patterns mean that not all wildlife is easily accessible year-round. Just in time for the school holidays, we have compiled a list of the best marine wildlife interaction opportunities for December. Click the links to see the details.

Rottnest Island Dolphins West End (Photo: L-A Shibish)

Monkey Mia Dolphins (Photo: L-A Shibish)

• Whales– The world’s longest whale watching season follows the epic annual migration of humpback, southern right whales and the rare blue whale, from the food-rich Southern Ocean in the South West to the warm breeding grounds on the north Kimberley coast.
• Dolphins– A dolphin watching or swimming experience is top of the bucket list for many, and Western Australia ranks high as one of the world’s top destinations for memorable close encounters with these amazing mammals.

• Manta Rays– You can swim with mantarays (a population of over 300) all year round at Coral Bay on Western Australia’s Coral Coast. Like whale sharks, manta rays are filter feeders and have a large toothless mouth which they use like a sieve to scoop up plankton and krill.
• Turtles– The World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef is home to several species of turtle which breed each year along the reef and beaches.
• Seals and Sea Lions– Visitors to Western Australia love watching these aquatic clowns playing along the coast. New Zealand fur seals and the more commonly seen Australian Sea Lions frolic in the water and sunbath on shore. While they are common right along the southern coast, they are most prevalent in Perth, Jurien Bay, Albany and Esperance.
  

  Seal (Photo: Colin Ingram)

So, grab your camera and check out these spectacular marine creatures, many of which are only found in a handful of locations on earth, but easily viewed right here in Western Australia.