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Whale-Watching Cruise and Hillarys Boat Harbour Day Trip from Perth
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Whale-Watching Cruise and Hillarys Boat Harbour Day Trip from Perth
Whale Watching Vessel
One of our marine biologists from the Aquarium of Western Australia
Image captured on board our Whale Watching Cruise
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Whale-Watching Cruise and Hillarys Boat Harbour Day Trip from Perth

star-3.519 reviews
|
Hillarys, Australia
Safety measures
icon2 hours  (approx.)
Pickup from select hotels
iconOffered in: English
Safety measures
icon2 hours  (approx.)
Pickup from select hotels
iconOffered in: English

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Why you are seeing these recommendations
Safety measures
icon2 hours  (approx.)
Pickup from select hotels
iconOffered in: English

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Overview

This whale-watching cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour, just north of Perth, gives you the chance to get out on the Indian Ocean and look for humpback whales during their yearly migration along the coast of Western Australia. When booking, you have the option to enhance your experience at Hillarys with admission to the Aquarium of Western Australia. Or, select the option that includes round-trip transport from Perth, which provides free time at Hillarys to enjoy family-friendly attractions on your own, such as restaurants, shops, bars, a beach and waterslides.
  • Hillarys Boat Harbour whale-watching cruise
  • Look for wildlife like humpback whales and dolphins on a 2-hour boat ride on the Indian Ocean
  • Upgrade to include entrance to the Aquarium of Western Australia
  • Enjoy round-trip transport from Perth with driver commentary, if option selected
  • Depending on option selected, enjoy free time at Hillarys to check out its many attractions, including eateries, shopping, playground and waterslides
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Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Transport by air-conditioned coach (if option selected)
2-hour whale-watching cruise
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Additional activities at Hillarys
This operator has two meet-up options available. You can either meet at the departure point below or select a location for pick-up.
56 Southside Dr , 56 Southside Dr, Hillarys WA 6025, Australia
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Free parking is available if self-driving. From Perth CBD head north on Mitchell Freeway then exit left when you reach Hepburn Avenue. Continue to the end and enter the harbour through the main roundabout. Turn left onto Southside Drive and follow the signs to 'ferry terminal'.

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12:30 PM
This activity will end right where it started.If taking the cruise only option, you must check-in at the Rottnest Fast Ferries office on the south side of Hillarys Boat Harbour, next to the Harbour Resort Apartments by 12pm
Depending on the option selected when booking, your Hillarys experience starts with pickup in Perth for the 15-mile (25-km) drive north of the city to Hillarys Boat Harbour, which boasts a prime location on the Indian Ocean. If you do not select the transport option, you must make your own way to and from Hillarys.

When you arrive at this popular family destination, enjoy its array of family-friendly attractions during free time before your whale-watching cruise departs. There are many ways to keep yourself and your kids entertained, from open-air restaurants to shopping, waterslides, a beach, playground and much more (all food and activities are at your own expense).

Head to the south side of Hillarys in time to catch your whale-spotting tour, which coincides with the annual whale migration along the coast of Western Australia. Set off across the ocean, keeping your eyes peeled for humpback whales and other marine life like dolphins. Your cruise returns to Hillarys in early afternoon, when you are again free to enjoy more of Hillarys independently until return transport to Perth in the early evening (if option selected).

If you select the Aquarium of Western Australia option when booking, head inside this impressive aquarium and marine center to see exhibits that feature coral reef, jellyfish, stingrays, turtles, seadragons, sharks and more.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
AQWA
Discover more of WA's spectacular marine life as you go on an underwater journey. Encounter the iconic, the unusual and even the deadly marine life of WA. Journey through AQWA's famous underwater tunnel and explore over 12,000 kilometers of WA's coastline on one day ay AQWA!
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Duration: 1 hour 
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
Hillarys Boat Harbour
Hillarys Boat Harbour is a tourist precinct, have the opportunity to explore the high end fashion, cafes, bars and restaurants after your cruise.
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Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Rottnest Fast Ferries - Day Tours
Take the opportunity to cruise the coast on our Whale Watching Cruise, get front and centre to experience the whales, capturing spectacular close up photographs of these majestic creatures. Be enlightened by our onboard certified marine biologist from AQWA - The Aquarium of Western Australia for live commentary. The cruise follows the whale's annual migration up the Western Australian coast during late August to November.
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Duration: 2 hours 
Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • It is recommended that you bring a swimsuit and other appropriate swimming needs if you wish to take advantage of Hillarys' additional attractions such as the waterslides or beach (own expense)
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Most travellers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travellers
  • OPERATED BY Rottnest Fast Ferries
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitisation during Whale-Watching Cruise and Hillarys Boat Harbour Day Trip from Perth?
A:The policies on sanitisation are:

  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitised between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
See all safety measures taken by Whale-Watching Cruise and Hillarys Boat Harbour Day Trip from Perth.

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Reviews

3.5
star-3.5
19 reviews
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1 star
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Reviews by Viator travellers

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Showing 1-10 of 19 reviews
star-4
A Totally Awesome Experience
weska001
, Oct. 2021
We were lucky to see Mother & Calf ..although they didn't do any spectacular splashes or dives...it was Amazing to see them close up in their world...🥰🥰
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star-2
Can't see much
KahHui_T
, Nov. 2019
The whales are far away and we can only see a bit of the action here and there even in an one-hour duration. This is not really what we expected. The boat was so wobbly that many felt sick and vomitted.
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star-4
Best Whale Watch
bleeec
, Oct. 2019
Boarded the cruse at 10.10, and after even 1.5 hr, could not find whale. But the cruise team did not give up and continue the search. finally DID!!! The team did a FANTASTIC job, giving us EXTENDED time. The cruise supposed to end at 12.30, but we were still out at sea watching the whale family at 1pm. The team also did A GREAT job re-organizing the coach transfer for us back into Perth. All in all, VERY WELL DONE and KUDO to the Cruise team. Highly recommended.
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star-5
whale watching
mandyturner811
, Oct. 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, I found the crew was very helpful and informative about the whales
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star-2
Although I've made many sea trips...
StevenP_R
, Jan. 2017
Although I've made many sea trips, this was so rough that I and several other passengers became so sick that we could not even rise from our seats to view the whales that were sighted. I have never before been seasick.
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star-3
It was great, manage to watch the...
Patricia Y
, Nov. 2015
It was great, manage to watch the whales but it wasn't so near, that was the only disappointment. However, it was still a great experience.
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star-2
Some whale sightings but very far...
Dorothy G
, Sep. 2015
Some whale sightings but very far away. Just luck of the draw on the day I suppose. The narration over the loud speaker, however, could have been much louder and clearer, couldn't hear most of it. Boat excellent.
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star-2
Unfortunately we did not see any...
Ard
, Dec. 2013
Unfortunately we did not see any whales. Seemed to be late in the season
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star-3
We really enjoyed Hillarys Boat...
Marjorie C
, Nov. 2013
We really enjoyed Hillarys Boat Harbour, it was a beautiful day, but the whale watching was a little disappointing. We were not allowed on deck until we reached the whale watching area. We were blocked into our seats when we were allowed and it took some time to get out, meanwhile all the prime watching spots were taken and of course they (watchers) didn't move the whole time. We didn't see a thing as we were not tall enough to see over their heads. We were disappointed for our interstate visitors. Luckily we enjoyed the rest of the day enjoying each others company.
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star-4
unfortunately not enough whales in...
Paul S
, Nov. 2013
unfortunately not enough whales in the area. the crew did try and track think was 3 pods but being a under water mammals can not judge what is going to happen. the crew were friendly and informative. but would do again
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star-2
Being Sunday there was a large crowd...
Margaret B
, Nov. 2013
Being Sunday there was a large crowd with lots of kids, and being short I could not see very well through the ranks of people who ran over as soon as the sighting was announced. I waved my camera about to see if I could capture a shot of the whales way in the distance, I thought we would run into more pods but we didn't so I felt seasick for little or no reason... but I know it is unpredictable.
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star-4
Hilary's boat harbour was pretty...
Debbie G
, Nov. 2013
Hilary's boat harbour was pretty, the shops and restaurants were lovely to browse around. The aquarium was beautiful and well worth a visit. The boat trip to see the whales was nice and the crew were very helpful. We did sight a few whales briefly and saw them in the distance,it was a shame we didn't see them close up.I think if you just did the whale watching it would have been a disappointing day trip. The fact that there were other things to see and do at Hilary's made it a lovely day trip.
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star-1
"Complimentary pick up from Hotel...
Wendy K
, Oct. 2013
"Complimentary pick up from Hotel" was from their choice of hotel, not where you were actually staying. Trying to organise the pick up turned into a nightmare and confirming the arrangements had to be done via e-mail as you could never get on to them via phone. We didn't see many whales at all (not their fault - I know) making it a disappointing tour. It was strongly suggested we use our Aquarium tickets prior to the Whale Watching tour, which is what we did, so that when we arrived back at Hillary's Harbour, we had nothing to do for the 3 hours they expected us to wait for another "complimentary drop back to the hotel". There was nothing in this description to explain that a water park was nearby and that we could spend some time there, which would have been good as my children would have brought their swimmers then. We ended up making our own way back to the City, rather than wasting more time waiting on this tour operator. Very poorly managed day tour and would not have wasted my money if I'd known what the day was going to be like. Wouldn't waste my money with this lot ever again.
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