I knew from the minute I made my booking that my experience with Broome Whale Watching was going to be a professional, relaxed trip.
Cameron, the captain and owner of the tour company, has taking guests in search of whales and sea life for years. He is a local, born and bred (just up the road, which is 300km away)!
With a massive depth of local knowledge and a genuine care for the wild life in this incredible bay, Cameron (and his staff) will take you on an experience that you won’t forget.
My experience went a little like this…
Pick up from my accommodation in a bus- air conditioned, spacious and clean… I decided at that point to leave all the worry, stress and anxieties to the never never and to trust that all would be ok. And it was!
The bus took us to the Jetty where we ventured to a nearby tender and were escorted to the catamaran.
Once on the catamaran we were made to feel like it was a second home. Take your shoes off, put them in the box and feel free to roam around the boat.
There were plenty of places to hang out, and chill.
There were two toilets on board, plenty of under shade areas and if you were melting you could go underneath to the air-con cabin.
The kids were really well catered for which is a bonus if you have to travel with them.
Ok to the BEST bits.
We headed out to the current in Roebuck Bay and followed the channel along the coast line looking for the incredible snub tip dolphin, or “snubbies” to locals.
Only recognised as a new species in 2005 (!) they have drawn attention for naturalists and sea lovers, including David Attenborough who visited only a short time ago.
They are beautiful little creatures and are only found in small numbers around the world, putting them on the endangered list. It is estimated there are 1000-3000 only globally.
With 170 of them playing and being delightful little critters in Roebuck Bay.
I loved the little details Cameron gave about the dolphins – they have a neck that extends so they can itch their tummies. They hang around in pods of 8-10.
He recognises many of the families from scars and markings on the dolphins.
You can see he is passionate about their conservation and wants to share them with the world.
After flirting with the darling dolphins for awhile, we head off in search of turtles and dugongs.
We learn all about the sea bed, the important role it plays with global warming.. how it traps carbon and dredging is leading to a rise in global carbon…
We spot a few turtles who break the water and dive quick as they are hunted by locals… turtles are still a favorite meal of the Australian indigenous population.
Apparently six of hte world’s seven turtles are found in this bay.
The bay also has the second highest tidal flow in the world.
After seeing a few turtles, and spot a dugong munching on the seabed we meander back to town.
Feeling pretty spoilt with teh wild life, and incredible water and sun, we are also treated to food. First up are cakes, then a quiche, then delicious fruit salad.
Finally when I thought the experience couldn’t get better, we are offered a cold face cloth! Superb.
I can highly recommend doing this activity and urge you to go iwth Cameron and his crew.
It is a very interesting day and the best way to learn about conservation and our remarkable planet.