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South Australian Whale Centre

Name: South Australian Whale Centre
Address: 2 Railway Terrace, Victor Harbor, SA, 5211, AU
Telephone: +61885510750
Price range: $
Rating: 4.8

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South Australian Whale Centre

South Australian Whale Centre We provide local whale sighting information, education, and the museum experience.

The South Australian Whale Centre is a museum in Victor Harbor that educates and inspires visitors to protect and embrace the local marine environment. Visitors can experience the natural wonders of the deep, explore the world heritage listed railway building, and gain further knowledge about Victor Harbor and South Australia's marine treasures. The South Australian Whale Centre is owned by the City of Victor Harbor.

12/04/2025

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Saturday, 12 April

Our wonderful friends at the The Big Duck Boat Tours have reported a possible humpback sighting near Granite Island. If you’re out and about and got photo, or have seen it, please let us know.

🐳🐳2:15pm - Possible Humpback whale spotted near Seal Rock.

📸Photo of a Humpback Whale breaching near The Bluff, taken by Peter Zach on 9 July 2024.

26/03/2025

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Wednesday, 26 March 2025

We have a report of a whale who has arrived a little earlier than we expected. The sighting is still to be confirmed but if you spot it, please get in touch with us.
🐳 4pm - sighting of a whale sighted between The Bluff and Wright Island/Granite Island. The sighting and species are so far unconfirmed but if you have more information, please get in touch.
📸 Humbacks near The Bluff. Photo by Samantha Adelaide, taken on 23 June 2024

05/11/2024

Whale sighting - Tuesday, 5 November 2024

Well it’s been a minute but we’ve heard something exciting…

7:39pm 🐳 This evening, a report has come in that a whale was spotted just left of the Ferry Terminal at Cape Jervis about 1km out. The sighted believes the whale was heading south. The species is unconfirmed… but this means there still might be a chance to see a whale, although rare this late in the season. Keep your eyes peeled

📸of a Southern Right Whale breaching at Waitpinga Beach. Taken by Peter Zach on 22 June 2024.

05/10/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Saturday, 5 October 2024

Have you seen something making a splash out the back of Granite Island? Let us know. We love a long weekend sighting.

🐳🐳 A pod of whales reported on the ocean side of Granite Island heading toward The Bluff. (Unconfirmed sighting and species)

If you have more information, please get in touch.

📸 Humpback whale splashing taken by Peter Zach near The Bluff on 9 July 2024.

23/09/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - SUNDAY, 22 September

While everyone was Rockin’n’Rollin in town yesterday, a whale rocked its way into Encounter Bay. This means if you’re visiting, you could be lucky enough to get a late-in-the-season sighting.

🐋 According to our Whale Sighting Log, a whale was spotted just 100m west of Petrel Cove travelling South West. The report came at approximately 1:40pm yesterday, and is believed to be (excitingly) a Southern Right Whale. If you spotted a whale, or think you’ve seen one, let us know.

We’ll update you if more information comes to light.

📸 Photo of a Southern Right Whale taken by Andrew Newton at Freemans K**b on 21.06.24

20/09/2024

Looking for something to do these school holidays? Why not visit the SA Whale Centre? 🤷‍♀️🤷🤷‍♂️

With interactive and educational activities and information on the local marine life, there’s something for everyone🦭

And why not also add a quick visit to our gift shop on your way out, which stocks some beautiful local and South Australia gifts and wares 😍

A fun time for the whole family before venturing out to explore Visit Victor Harbor 👋

12/09/2024

Do you ever sit and stare at the ocean waiting to spot a glimpse of the marine world? Surely it’s not just us?

Our beautiful coastline is home to a thriving community of dolphins, with 120 known bottlenose dolphins and 50 known common dolphins calling this area home! 🐬🌟

But that's not all – our local marine enthusiasts are dedicated to understanding and protecting these incredible creatures. Meet Kangaroo Island / Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch, a passionate team of citizen scientists who have just completed an impressive 150 surveys in our region, celebrated in July! 📊🌿 We love it when our friends from Dolphin Watch pop into the Victor Harbor Visitor Centre and SA Whale Centre to complete their surveys and data collection, following their expeditions out with the The Big Duck Boat Tours crew. Teamwork makes the dream work!

For the past 13 years, Dolphin Watch has been on a mission to research and collect valuable data on our local dolphin and marine life. Their efforts contribute significantly to policies, education, and the conservation of our precious marine ecosystems. 🌏💚

A huge thank you to the Dolphin Watch team for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding our waters and the magnificent animals that call it home. Your hard work and dedication are truly making a difference! 👏🌊

If you're in Victor Harbor, take a moment to appreciate the vibrant marine life and the incredible efforts of those working to protect it. Every visit to our waters helps support the ongoing conservation of this beautiful underwater world.

06/09/2024

🐋 Explore the South Australian Whale Centre! 🐋

If you're planning a trip to Victor Harbor, the South Australian Whale Centre will allow you to explore life under the sea. Located in the Victor Harbor Visitor Centre, it’s a great place for the kids to explore and learn.

🌊 Why visit the South Australian Whale Centre?

Educational exhibits: Interactive displays and fascinating exhibits fill the basement level of the centre. From digging for fossils to learning about the Sea Shepard, there’s no knowing what you might learn.

Whale watching: Discover the best times and spots for whale watching in the region during whale season, which runs from June to September. With expert tips and local knowledge, you'll be well-prepared to witness these giant creatures in their natural habitat.

📅 Plan your visit

The South Australian Whale Centre is open every day 10am-4pm, except Christmas Day, so whether you're visiting during the whale migration season or just exploring Victor Harbor, it's always a good time to learn about local life under the sea.

27/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Tuesday, 27 August

We thought they had left, but then we got a lovely surprise with a tail slap or two.

🐳🐳1:57pm - We have received a sighting of two whales tail slapping just east of The Bluff, travelling west. It's presumed they may be humpback whales.

📸Photo of a Humpback Whale breaching near The Bluff, taken by Peter Zach on 9 July 2024.

20/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - 20 August 2024

Although the weather seems a bit rough and the skies are looking grey, the whales have made a late appearance and are out and about!

🐳3.35pm - SRW (Confirmed) approximately 800 metres out from Petrel Cove.

🐳2.15pm- SRW spotted blowing, heading off the north western side of West Island.

🐳2pm -SRW seen heading towards the western end of West Island.

🐳1.45pm - A Southern Right Whale was spotted heading towards the western end of West Island, 100 metres east off of Kings Head.

📸 of a Southern Right whales head and tail, taken out by Rosetta Wharf by Andrew and Marian Chuck on the 15 July 2024

19/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTING - 19 August 2024

Did you know the white things you see on Southern Right Whales are actually callosities - which are unique to each whale, kind of like a fingerprint.

🐳🐳4:11pm - Two single Southern Right Whales are located between The Bluff and Seal Island.

🐳🐳3:05pm - Two Southern Right Whales approximately 800m on the south side of The Bluff, Victor Harbor.

🐳🐳 2.37pm - Two Southern Right Whales travelling east from The Bluff, Victor Harbor.

🐳🐳2:30pm - Southern Right Whales are about 600m south of The Bluff, Victor Harbor.

🐳🐳1.53pm - Southern Right Whales, 400m southeast from West Island, Victor Harbor.

📸Humpback breaching near The Bluff, taken by Peter Zach on 9 July 24

18/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Sunday, 18 August 2024

Stunning day to be out and about and enjoy the sun, surf and whale watching. ☀

🐳🐳 4.25pm Port Elliot, Frenchman Rock. Cow and calf (Shamrock and Paddy) lazily drifting in the waves at Frenchman's Rock, blowing mist into the air as they face east.

🐳🐳 3.41pm Basham Beach - Frenchman Rock, Cow and Calf a bit further out now just resting.

🐳🐳 3.00pm Middleton, Basham Beach - Cow and Calf heading west towards Frenchman Rock.

🐳🐳 2.36pm Middleton, Basham Beach, Cow and Calf 600 metres out from Basham Beach facing west but not travelling.

🐳🐳 1.58pm Middleton, Basham Beach, Cow and Calf are reported 300 metres directly out from Bashams.

🐳🐳1.27pm Middleton Point - Cow and Calf (Shamrock & Paddy) are currently 600 metres off Middleton Point.

🐳🐳 10.45am Middleton, Bashams Beach - Calf and Cow 700 metres out slowly travelling east towards Middleton Point.

🐳🐳 9.49am Middleton, Basham Beach Calf and Cow have been sighted 800 metres out from Bashams Beach.

Southern Right Whale eye contact at Rosetta Wharf 15 July 2024. Photograph courtesy of Andrew and Marian Chuck.

14/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Wednesday, 14 August 2024

Its a stunner of a day along the Encounter Coast 👌🌞
How many whales will we see today?

🐳🐳 4pm- It looks like the two southern right whales have left, last spotted 200m South of Tunkalilla.

🐳🐳2.10pm - The two Southern Right Whales out from Parsons Beach are still heading very slowly west and are approximately 900 metres offshore.

🐳🐳1.24pm - The whales are currently 900 metres out, south west of Parsons Beach, travelling west.

🐳🐳1.00pm - The two Southern Right Whales are approximately 900 metres south of Parsons lookout. The adult has been sighted at surface with the juvineil diving up and down a number of times and with its tail up out of the water

🐳🐳12.40pm - 500 metres south of the Parsons Beach viewing spot are the two Southern Right Whales currently travelling west together.

🐳🐳12.16pm - The two Southern Right Whales are now heading in a south-westerly direction.

🐳🐳12.10pm - Sighted out from Parsons Beach, two Southern Right Whales have been reported to still be only at the surface for short periods.

🐳🐳11.45am -The two Southern Right Whales are approximately 500 metres out from Waitpinga Beach, slowly travelling west. While there isnt much action of the surface, one has been recorded to have a large dorsal blaze.

🐳🐳11.30am - The Waitpinga Beach sighting has another Southern Right Whale to add! There are now two Southern Right Whales as the western end of Waitpinga Beach.

🐳11.15am - A Southern Right Whale has been sighted near the western end of Waitpinga Beach.

🐳11.13am - Whale watchers on The Bluff, Encounter Bay have sighted a whale approximately two kilometres out, south of Seal Island.

📷 Southern Right Whale near the Bluff taken by Peter Zach on 15 July 2024

13/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Tuesday, 13 August

Hey everyone! 🐋 It seems our whale friends have been running a bit late over the past few days.

🐳🐳5.15pm - Shamrock and Paddy are still behind the swell at Sheepies Beach. The whales are both now facing east now. Fingers crossed she keeps coming back this way.

🐳🐳 3.49pm - Shamrock and Paddy has been reported still heading west, towards Deep Creek.

🐳🐳 2.20pm - Shamrock and calf are currently milling 50 metres behind the swell at Sheepies (past Parsons Beach).

🐳🐳 1.47pm - Shamrock and Paddy are the whales are Parsons Beach travelling west quickly.

🐳🐳1.27pm - (Confirmed) Shamrock and Paddy have been spotted 500 metres out between Parsons beach and Sheepies beach, facing east.

🐳12.54pm - Southern Right Whale spotted west of Parsons Beach (The Point)

📸 of a Southern Right Whale taken by Andrew and Marian Chuck on the 14 July 2024

12/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Monday, 12 August

Eye spy with my little eye something beginning with H.... Hello little Humpback.

🐳🐳2:35pm - Waitpinga Beach - Calf and Cow 300 metres out from the beach, facing west but not moving far.

🐳2:05pm - Southern Right Whale is located at Waitpinga in the middle of the bay, approximately 200-300m offshore.

📸A humpback whale having a little look at The Bluff. Photo taken by Andrew and Marian Chuck, 9 July 2024

11/08/2024

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Sunday, 11 August

Fabulous Day to Whale watch and enjoy these fabulous creatures 🤩

🐋🐋 12.27pm - Middleton, Bashams Beach (unconfirmed) Whales travelling towards Bashams but heading further out.

🐋🐋11.47am - Middleton, Bashams Beach (unconfirmed) Whales are still there but quite far out now

10.05am - Port Elliot Crockery Bay, CC1 Shamrock/Paddy just resting at the moment out from the viewing platform south of Crockery Bay.

We will keep you updated here with the days sightings 😀

Southern Right Whale, blow taken out from Kings Beach, Port Elliot, photography courtesy of Andrew Newton 50 June 2024

Address

2 Railway Terrace
Victor Harbor, SA
5211

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+61885510750

Website

http://www.sawhalecentre.com.au/

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