Best Orca Tour (Bremer Bay): How To Pick The Right One, What To Expect, And More

Most orca tours in Bremer Bay are very similar.

They’re extremely good, with dozens of 5-star reviews to back them up. They include pretty much the same meals and they cost about the same.

However, there are a few tours that stand out and give you a once in a lifetime experience.

That’s when you have to look into the details to help you choose – like the group size, number of meals included, and the tour operator itself.

This guide will help you with those details, so you can pick the best orca tour for YOU. We’ll use our own tour experience to give you recommendations and insider tips so you can make an informed decision:

In a hurry? Here are the BEST orca tours in Bremer Bay: 

4 Epic Killer Whale Tours in Bremer Bay

Know that, regardless of the tour, you’ll also get to see whale species like sperm whales, different species of dolphins and pelagic birds.

On our tour we saw a sperm whale, dolphins and lots of birds.

You won’t get in the water though – the boat takes you to the feeding grounds of the killer whales to see them, so it’s not safe for swimming.

That’s why the final decision will depend on your personal preferences:

Note: Most of the links included are GUARANTEED to have the lowest price available, 24-hour free cancellation, and “Reserve Now, Pay Later” features. Take advantage of that!

1) Whale Watch Western Australia: Bremer Bay Orca Experience

50 travellers | 7 hours | Check tour here

Best for: Those looking for a luxury experience at an average price with an incredible staff. This is the one we did and can’t recommend them enough!

This is the tour we did and can’t recommend it enough!

They’re a 5-star operator that focuses on giving you a “luxury” experience at a great price. You’ll be in a smaller group (by other orca tour standards), with lots of great food, and they welcome you with a celebratory beverage.

We loved the staff, they truly enhanced the experience with their good vibes and professionalism.

Personally, we like that it lasts 7 hours (the next tour we’ll talk about is 8 hours). The Southern Ocean is very choppy and the sea sickness can be rough, that’s why we don’t think the extra hour would be worth it.

The boat has areas inside to sit and rest and also viewing decks all around the boat.

Pros:

Cons

A truly amazing day. Seeing a blue whale had been on my bucket list. We saw not one but two! There were pilot whales by the dozen, they looked spectacular. We happened to come across the orca just as they had made a kill. This attracted sea birds including an albatross. We followed the family of orca for quite sometime. They were very playful with us. Swimming next to and underneath the boat. The staff couldn’t do enough for everyone. They were so helpful and knowledgeable and did everything possible to make the day special.

-Maxine

2) Naturaliste Charters: Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition

90 travellers | 8 hours | Check tour here

Best for: Those who are not prone to sea sickness, or those who want another great option if the first tour is not available during your visit.

This is another highly-rated tour with an average price. What sets it apart is the duration, the group size, and the staff.

This tour is 8-hours long, which means more time to see the orcas, but also more time on the choppy sea. Keep that in mind (and bring sea-sickness tablets!).

The group is big – 90 travellers max. These vessels are big so there’s space for everybody, but we prefer smaller groups as they provide a more intimate experience.

Even with our tour (50 people) it seemed quite busy when the whales were on one side of the boat and everyone was trying to rush there.

As for the staff, we’ve heard they’re very knowledgeable and easy-going.

Pros:

Cons

Great experience seeing the orcas a bit rough going out but well worth it and calmed down later. All crew knowledgeable and helpful providing drinks and food all day.

-Maz

3) Albany Tours: Full-Day Killer Whale Expedition from Albany

From Albany | Full Day | Check tour here

Best for: Those in Albany who don’t want to do the 2-hour drive to Bremer Bay (and back).

If you’re in Albany, definitely book this tour. The coach company Busy Blue Bus Tour will drive you to Bremer Bay and back, so you can sleep and relax on your way to the tour.

Plus, this transport company collaborates with Naturaliste Charters (our second choice), meaning that the orca tour itself will be with them!

So, you’ll have all the perks of the best orca tour without having to sit behind the wheel for 4 hours.

Pros:

Cons

There’s not more to say than this is an unbelievable experience!! We were picked up and taken early and had a very enjoyable and knowledgable journey to the bay. (…)They tour guides were amazing and knew all the whales names ages and spotted them really early (…) I would recommend this to anyone. Although if you are prone to sickness a warning to get tablets – we luckily were ok but it nearly was a very expensive sleep for my husband – and we were lucky it was a calmer day (which is still pretty choppy).

-Tripadvisor Reviewer

4) Bremer Bay Killer Whales Tour

Full-day tour | Check tour here

Best for: Those who want a no-sighting policy that lasts for a lifetime (and are willing to return to Bremer Bay to redeem it if needed).

Nature is unpredictable so there’s a chance that you might not see killer whales on any tour. But this provider offers a 100% sighting lifetime guarantee.

This means that, if you don’t see any killer whales, you can either reschedule for the next available tour or get a voucher you can redeem any time you want (terms and conditions apply).

That said, you will have to pay for the tour in full (no “Reserve Now and Pay Later”) and there are no free cancellations or refunds if you can’t go.

Bremer Bay is pretty remote, too. So, be honest with yourself and determine if you’re willing to return if you need to redeem the guarantee!

Pros:

Cons

4 things to keep in mind when booking an orca tour in Bremer Bay

Apart from the price, you have to keep in mind that seasickness is a possibility, there’s a recommended dress code, the departing point, and no sighting policies:

1) Sea sickness

The Southern Ocean is choppy even in the calmest of conditions, so consider getting sea sickness tablets.

There are a few brands out there sold over the counter, but some can make you drowsy. Talk to the pharmacist for advice.

Also, most of these tablets are taken before you feel sick. Normally it’s about 30 minutes or 1 hour before getting on the boat, but this will differ according to the medication.

For a list of natural remedies, check out this article.

2) Dress code

Once you’re offshore, it can get very windy. We brought a windbreaker and it made the experience much more comfortable. The sun can be harsh too, so bring a hat.

As for shoes, bring comfortable ones. You’ll spend quite a while standing as you look for the orcas. And on that note, a pair of binoculars won’t hurt!

3) Departing point

The departing point is Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, it’s a 5-10 minute drive from town.

There is plenty of parking, but keep in mind that most tours require you to be there 30-45 minutes before the start of the tour so everyone can board the boat.

4) No sighting policies

Most tour operators offer no-sighting policies ONLY if you book directly from their website, not from a third party like Viator, Get Your Guide, etc.

But this means you will have to pay for the tour in full in advance, with no refunds if you have to cancel if something comes up and you can’t travel.

So, ask yourself if you’re likely to visit Bremer Bay to redeem the no-sighting policy in case you need it.

Bremer Bay is quite remote, so, unless you’re planning to do a road trip to this area again sometime soon, it might not be worth having the policy.

Plus, not booking via a third party won’t give you the flexibility of cancelling free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour, or “Reserve Now and Pay Later” features to facilitate the booking process.

This means it might be worth it to book your tour from a third party like Viator to have all these perks, even if you don’t have the no-sighting policy.

Best time to do a killer whale tour in Bremer Bay

The best time to do an orca tour in Bremer Bay is between January and April when these creatures come to feed.

However, you can see other whales if you visit between July and October! During this time, the Southern Right Whales migrate through these waters.

Top Tips

Bremer Bay is famous for the orcas, but there’s SO much more to do there:

• Surfing and snorkelling

• See the wildflowers

• 4WDing on the beach

• Epic hikes

If you have the opportunity, try staying in town for at least 4-5 days. It’s absolutely beautiful!

Keep reading: 19 epic things to do in Bremer Bay (besides orca-spotting)

Did you know?

During the tour, you might see more than wild orcas!

You could see other marine life such as long-finned pilot whales, blue whales, beaked whales, dolphins, Australian sea lions, pelagic birds, and even giant squids.

This is because of the Bremer Canyon, the deep sea trench 70 kilometres off the coast.

The currents of the canyon bring up nutrients from the deep. This attracts smaller sea life like fishes and squids which, in turn, attracts bigger apex predators like orcas and other whales!

FAQs 

The bottom line

Bremer Bay in Western Australia is the best place to see orcas in the country and one of the top spots in the world.

Doing a Bremer Bay killer whale tour is a truly life-changing experience. These creatures are the definition of majestic, plus you’ll get to do whale-watching, as several whale species also come to feed at this place at the same time as orcas.

But as you can see, all tours available are absolutely great and they cost about the same – any of them could be the “best orca tour.” So, your final decision must come down to your personal preferences, like the group size, things included, and even the tour operator itself.

Regardless of what tour you pick, know that the experience will be unforgettable. You can’t go wrong!