Cetacean

Southern right whale

Eubalaena australis

IUCN status: Least concernBucket-list species

A large baleen whale that migrates into southern Australian coastal waters in winter. Scuba encounters are incidental and approach-distance rules apply.

Max size: Up to about 18m
Habitat: Temperate Southern Hemisphere coastal and oceanic waters

Best places to dive with Southern right whale

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season

Fleurieu Peninsula

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.

Sydney

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.

Tasmania — East & Southeast

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	rare
February	rare
March	rare
April	rare
May	rare
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	rare
November	rare
December	rare

Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.

Whyalla & Cuttlefish Coast

Sighting likelihood by month
Month	Likelihood
January	not seen
February	not seen
March	not seen
April	not seen
May	not seen
June	rare
July	rare
August	rare
September	rare
October	not seen
November	not seen
December	not seen

Coastal migration does not make an underwater encounter predictable.

Sources & last checked

Checked September 2026

Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.

View 1 source and checking notes

Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park, National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia