Whales Humpback Whales can be seen off the Cape Naturaliste coastline on their annual migration from the Southern Ocean to their breeding grounds in the North from July onwards and on their return trip southwards in October and November. Southern Right Whales come close inshore from about July to October, particularly adult females to give birth to their young.
Humpbacks are mainly black on top and white underneath.
They grow up to 16 metres long, are very acrobatic and can leap out of the water. Southern Right Whales can be up to 16 metres long and are also black, sometimes with white patches underneath. Whaling of Right Whales ceased officially in the 1930's but illegal catches until about 1970 prevented their recovery until then. About 200 visit the Souh and West Coast of Australia each year. Within the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park, is the Cape Naturaliste Walk Network which surround the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.