Western Australia's whale populations appear to be in step with their east coast counterparts with large pods of humpbacks coming within metres of spectators off the southern coastlines.
At Cheynes Beach near Albany, 98 whales were counted during daylight hours over the weekend, with the sightings fed into the national whale census currently underway.
Further up the coast near Augusta in the state's south-west whale watchers witnessed five humpbacks breaching an incredible six times within sixty seconds.
'So close you could see the hairs'
Marine biologist Bianca Uyen also witnessed a close encounter between whale watchers and frisky humpbacks at Flinders Bay when the giant mammals came within metres of spectators' vessel.
"They were so close that you could see the tiny little hairs the mammals have on their rostrum and their chins," Ms Uyen said.
"It was incredible.
"They were so close you got sprayed by their blow. I had to clean my camera lens about 10 times. It was quite incredible."
Although it was not uncommon for females to give birth before their final destination, Ms Uyen said most endured a full-term pregnancy until reaching the warmer waters off Broome on the north-west coast of WA.
"You do see some premature calves but it is dangerous if they are born at such an early stage," Ms Uyen said.
"It is really vital that their mother stays with them and doesn't abandon them if they are born."
South coast sightings
Local caravan park proprietor, Joanne Marsh, said 98 whales including humpbacks and southern right whales were counted passing the coast off Cheynes Beach near Albany over a 10 hour period.
"We knew we had a lot of whales and we're not blasé about it, but 98 is amazing," Ms Marsh said.
"We also had a report of a southern right and baby off the beach, which is a first for the area."
Albany-based marine biologist, Kirsty Mary Alexander, said the large number of sightings augured well for the national census and the preservation of locations where whales are sighted.
"The more we know, the better we can do," Ms Alexander said.
"If we know that an area is something the mammals use a lot we can make better decisions in protecting that area so they can continue to use it."
