Viewing marine mammals
Maintaining the legal distance from marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals is important, both for our safety and that of the animals.
The animals may be seriously injured if they are struck by a vessel or frightened young may become separated from their mothers. Even if there is no contact, coming too close can disrupt resting, feeding, breeding, and migratory behaviours.
Regular water users should make themselves familiar with all the rules for interacting with marine mammals by viewing the National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals – Marine Mammals) Regulations 2025.
Expiation fees apply should people contravene these rules.
Whale watching
The current approach rules are as follows:
In the water
- Within Whale Nursery Protection Areas (Encounter Bay, Sleaford Bay and Fowlers Bay): All vessels – no closer than 300 m to a whale.
- Whale calves: all vessels and swimmers – no closer than 300 m.
- Distressed, stranded or entangled whales: all vessels and swimmers – no closer than 300 m.
- Prescribed vessels (high-powered craft such as jet-skis, hydrofoils, and boats used for water skiing or paragliding): never closer than 300 m.
- Other vessels (for example, cabin cruisers, yachts, ‘tinnies’, inflatables, kayaks, windsurfers and kite surfers) outside of a Whale Nursery Protection Area: no closer than 100 m
- Other vessels within 300 m of a whale: no anchoring; maximum speed 4 knots; maximum time 60 minutes.
- Swimmers (including surfers and boogie boarders): no closer than 30 m.
On land
- No closer than 30 m (or 50 m if the whale is distressed, stranded or entangled).
In the air
- Planes and remotely piloted aircraft (drones) must be at least 300 m from any whale or other marine mammals (additional Civil Aviation Safety Authority restrictions apply).
- Helicopters and gyrocopters must be at least 500 m from any whale or other marine mammals.
Other Marine Mammals (dolphins and seals)
In the water
- All vessels – no closer than 50 m to a dolphin and seal.
- Prescribed vessels (high-powered craft such as jet-skis, hydrofoils and boats used for water skiing or paragliding): no closer than 300 m.
- Vessels must not anchor within 150 m of a seal.
- Distressed, stranded or entangled dolphins or seals: all vessels and swimmers – no closer than 150 m.
- Swimmers (including surfers and boogie boarders): no closer than 30 m.
On land
- No closer than 30 m
In the air
- Planes and remotely piloted aircraft (drones) must be at least 300 m from any marine mammal (additional Civil Aviation Safety Authority restrictions apply).
- Helicopters and gyrocopters must be at least 500 m from any marine mammal.
