Whales around the island

Spotting a whale from the coast is one of those unforgettable winter moments on Phillip Island and along the Bass Coast.

Each winter, migrating whales travel along Victoria’s coastline, with Phillip Island becoming one of the best places in the state to see them. Some whales cruise steadily past the coastline on their long migration journey, while others pause in sheltered bays to rest, feed, or interact before continuing on.

Here are the three main whale species you’re most likely to spot along our coast during winter.

Humpback whales

Humpback whales are the true stars of whale season and by far the most commonly sighted whales around the island. They are famous for their acrobatic behaviour. You might see massive breaches, tail slaps, spy-hopping, or flippers crashing onto the water’s surface. Even from land, their blows can often be spotted from hundreds of metres away.

They’re known for travelling close to shore at times, which makes them ideal for coastal whale watching. Locations around Cape Woolamai, Pyramid Rock, The Nobbies, and San Remo can all offer fantastic viewing opportunities during the migration season.

Southern right whales

Southern right whales are slower-moving and often more relaxed than humpbacks, making them a very special whale to observe. These whales were once heavily hunted and came close to extinction, but thankfully their population is slowly recovering.

Southern rights are easy to identify because they have no dorsal fin and produce a distinctive V-shaped double blow. They also have large white patches of rough skin, called callosities, on their heads.

Unlike humpbacks, southern right whales often spend time resting in sheltered bays and shallow water. Sometimes they can be spotted surprisingly close to shore, rolling at the surface or lifting their tails above the water.

Orcas

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are much rarer along the Bass Coast, but every now and then they make an unforgettable appearance.

These powerful apex predators are occasionally seen around the southside of the island, particularly near seal colonies like Seal Rocks where food is abundant. Orcas travel in highly social family pods and are known for their intelligence, speed, and coordinated hunting behaviour.

With their striking black-and-white colouring and tall dorsal fins, they’re impossible to mistake for anything else.

A few rare visitors

While humpbacks, southern right whales, and the occasional orca are the main winter visitors, lucky observers have also reported sightings of pygmy blue whales and minke whales in Bass Strait from time to time.

These species are generally more elusive and tend to stay further offshore, making sightings much less common, but that’s part of what makes whale watching so exciting. You never quite know what might appear beyond the waves.

If you’ve caught the whale watching bug, winter is the perfect time to get out on the water. We currently have an early whale promotion – save 20% off any Whale Cruise Gift Vouchers! (*sale ends 25/05/2026)

Our Winter Whale Cruises around Phillip Island and Whale Cruises at Wilsons Promontory give you the chance to experience these incredible animals up close while exploring some of Victoria’s most spectacular coastline.