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

South Australian Whale Centre

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Victor Harbor, SA
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.

14/06/2026

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Sunday 14th June 2026

Another reason to keep your eyes on the horizon 🌊👀

🐳11.29 -12.00: Humpback Whale breaching at O’Sullivan Beach heading out to sea.

🐳10:20am: Humpback Whale spotted west of Hallet Cove, heading south.

📸 Southern Right Whale taken 5.8.25 by Andrew and Marian Chuck

09/06/2026

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Tuesday 9th June 2026

Good Morning! It seems the Whales enjoyed the long weekend, and are ready to splash about.🐳🌊💙

🐳5pm: Southern Right spotted at Newland Head.

🐳4pm: Whale breaching off West Island, just around The Bluff, heading through Kings Head toward Waitpinga.

🐳3:34: Whale spotted right up near short of the jetty at The Bluff.

🐳2:35pm: The Southern Right is now at The Bluff, Victor Harbor.

🐳2:30pm: Southern Right Whale now 300m from Granite Island heading towards The Bluff in Encounter Bay. Great time to head to the lookout at The Bluff for a chance to see it.

🐳2:00pm: One Southern Right 300m out from Victor Harbor bowling club heading to Granite Island Breakwater.

🐳1:35pm: One Southern Right out from Hayward Court, Victor Harbor.

🐳1:04pm: Southern Right now directly in front of Chiton SLSC - 400m from shore. Heading toward Victor Harbor.

🐳12:52pm:Southern Right is now going past Watson's Gap, Port Elliot, heading west.

🐳12:40pm: Southern Right has now turned around and heading back to Freemans Lookout, Port Elliot.

🐳12:20pm: Southern Right is heading west towards Knights Beach, Port Elliot.

🐳12:15pm: Southern Right is now 20m off Freemans Lookout, Port Elliot.

🐳12:00pm: We have just had a report of a Southern Right Whale 400m out from Freemans Lookout, Port Elliot.

🐳9:30am: One Whale Spotted breaching out from Seal Island, Victor Harbor.

If you spot a whale, we’d love to hear about it! Share your sighting with us on Instagram, Facebook, or through our website:
https://sawhalecentre.com.au/report-a-sighting/

📸Calf breach. Taken by Paul Neville on 3.9.25

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Sunday, 7th June 2026When the whales arrive, winter comes alive. 🐳🌊🐳3:35pm: A humpback whale was spot...

07/06/2026

🐋 Exciting news from Victor Harbor! 🐋

Yesterday’s whale sighting has now been officially confirmed as a Southern Right Whale — the very first Southern Right Whale recorded for the season!

This is a special moment for our region, as Southern Right Whales return to our coastline each year after their long journey from Antarctica. Victor Harbor is recognised as an important nursery area for these magnificent animals, providing a safe and sheltered environment where they can socialise, rest, and raise their young. Many calves are born along our shores, with mothers and calves often remaining in the area for months at a time.

The arrival of the season’s first Southern Right Whale is always an exciting milestone, marking the beginning of another incredible whale season. It also serves as a reminder of the vital role our coastline plays in supporting these endangered giants during one of the most important stages of their lives.

We’re thrilled to welcome our beautiful Southern Rights back to Victor Harbor, and it makes this first sighting even more special as it coincides with WhaleFest celebrations.

A huge thank you to Encounter Bay Right Whale Study for their continued dedication to monitoring and researching Southern Right Whales in our region, and for confirming this exciting first sighting of the season.

Keep your eyes on the water — whale season is in full swing! 💙🐳

📸 credit to Andrew and Marian Chuck, Southern Right Whale, 25-07-14, Petrel Cove

07/06/2026

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Sunday, 7th June 2026

When the whales arrive, winter comes alive. 🐳🌊

🐳3:35pm: A humpback whale was spotted having a play - blowing, breaching and tail slapping - about 500m south of The Bluff, Victor Harbor, travelling west.

🐳2:35pm: A Whale was spotted at O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp, heading toward Hallet Cove.

🐳11:00am: An unconfirmed species was spotted at Foul Bay, Marion Bay about 300m South East, travelling East. If you spotted the same whale and have any additional info, please get in touch.

📸 Humpback backflipping. Taken on 17.05.2024 by Andrew Chuck
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Keep an eye on the Whale Sighting Log for more info www.sawhalecentre.com.au/whale-sighting-log

If you spot a whale this season, get in touch with us on (08) 8551 0750 or comment/message us via Facebook, with as much detail as possible, including location, distance from shore, direct travelling, and time.

07/06/2026

🐋 Exciting news from Victor Harbor! 🐋

Yesterday’s whale sighting has now been officially confirmed as a Southern Right Whale, the very first Southern Right Whale recorded for the season!

This is a special moment for our region, as Southern Right Whales return to our coastline each year after their long journey from Antarctica. Victor Harbor is recognised as an important nursery area for these magnificent animals, providing a safe and sheltered environment where they can socialise, rest, and raise their young. Many calves are born along our shores, with mothers and calves often remaining in the area for months at a time.

The arrival of the season’s first Southern Right Whale is always an exciting milestone, marking the beginning of another incredible whale season. It also serves as a reminder of the vital role our coastline plays in supporting these endangered giants during one of the most important stages of their lives.

We’re thrilled to welcome our beautiful Southern Rights back to Victor Harbor, and it makes this first sighting even more special as it coincides with Winter Whale Fest celebrations.

A huge thank you to Encounter Bay Right Whale Study for their continued dedication to monitoring and researching Southern Right Whales in our region, and for confirming this exciting first sighting of the season.

Keep an eye on our socials for up-to-date whale sightings 💙🐳 For more info on our whale trail, visit sawhalecentre.com.au or the South Australian Whale Centre in Victor Harbor.

If you spot a whale this season, please report it (with a photo/video if you can get it) via the following methods:
✨www.sawhalecentre.com.au/whale-sighting-log
✨Call us on (08) 8551 0750
✨Or comment/message us via Facebook/Instagram, with as much detail as possible, including location, distance from shore, direct travelling, and time.

📸 credit to Andrew and Marian Chuck, Southern Right Whale, 25-07-14, Petrel Cove

06/06/2026

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Saturday, 6th June 2026

Exciting news to receive whale sightings today aligning with our Welcome to Winter Whale Fest 2026! 🐳🌊

🐳12:57 A Southern Right Whale was confirmed at Waitpinga Cliffs heading west towards Parsons Beach.

🐳12:37 Southern Right Whale near Flat Iron, at Waitpinga Cliffs (confirmed)

🐳12:03pm: The Big Duck Boat Tours have sighted a whale south of West Island, possibly our first Southern Right Whale - stay tuned! Now confirmed.

🐳11:30am: Whale spotted equal distance from Granite Island and the Bluff.

🐳10:40am: Whale spotted 400m off the Granite Island breakwater sighted from Bridge Terrace (confirmed).

🐳10:30: A whale (unconfirmed species) was spotted at Dump Beach, Oliver's Parade at 1.5km off Granite Island.

📸Humpback Blow at Port Elliot. Taken by Andrew Newton on 16.05.24

03/06/2026

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Thursday 4 June 2026

Good Morning! We hope this will brighten up a rainy day. ☀️🐳🌊

🐳7:35am: A Whale was spotted breaching between Wright Island and the Bluff, Victor Harbor. Headed towards Granite Island.

📸SRW Calf at Kings Head. Taken by Peter Zach on 7.8.2025

03/06/2026

WHALE SIGHTINGS - Friday 29th May 2026

It appears a Cheeky Humpback cruised along our coast last week! 🐳🌊

🐳11:50am: A Humpback was spotted breaching about 7km out from Tappanappa campgrounds.

📸Humpback Blow at Port Elliot. Taken by Andrew Newton on 16.05.24

01/06/2026

There is beauty here in difference. 🌊

Sea Different is an exhibition of ocean-inspired artworks created by neurodiverse artists and NDIS participants from across the Fleurieu Coast - and it's one of the most quietly powerful things you'll encounter during Winter Whale Fest.

Bold and playful. Calm and contemplative. Each piece is a unique window into how these artists see, feel and interpret the sea - and the world around them.

All through June at the South Australian Whale Centre, Victor Harbor Visitor Centre, the exhibition invites you to slow down, look beyond the surface and connect with perspectives that are too often unseen.

All artworks are available to purchase, directly supporting the artists behind them.

𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭
📍 SA Whale Centre, Victor Harbor Visitor Centre
📅 1 – 30 June | Daily 10am – 4pm
🔗 bit.ly/WWFseadifferent
Gold coin entry

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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