Whales, dolphins and seals

Whales, dolphins and seals have made their homes in the sea. However, they are not as different from humans as you may think. Like us, they are warm blooded, breathe air and produce milk for their young. Twenty-five species of whales, two species of dolphin and six species of seals live or migrate through Victorian waters. These include Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins and the Australian Fur Seal.

To view a brochure about Victoria's marine mammals, you can contact the DEPI Customer Service Center on 136 186 for a copy or download the following:

Marine Mammals of Victoria - Identification Guide [PDF File - 1.9 MB]
Marine Mammals of Victoria - Identification Guide (accessible version) [MS Word Document - 330.5 KB]

When they feel comfortable, whales, dolphins and seals will readily approach boats and swimmers, providing an unforgettable experience for all. However, we need to be careful about how close we get to these animals and what we do in their presence, as we can pose a risk to their health and well being. The animals can also pose a safety risks to us, especially where large whales are involved.

The Victorian Government has a comprehensive set of regulations in place to protect these special animals and to provide world class viewing opportunities. These guidelines set standards for watching whales, dolphins and seals in the wild, including viewing from the land, water or air. Activities such as swimming, feeding, touching, and making noise close to our marine mammals are also regulated.

For a full copy of the Wildlife (Marine Mammal) Regulations 2009 or the Wildlife Act 1975, please visit Parliament of Victoria.

To view a summary of the restrictions in place for boating and swimming around whales, dolphins and seals, see the pages below.

	Protected areas Read about important whale, dolphin and seal areas in Victoria.
	Boating around marine mammals What you can and can’t do when boating around whales, dolphins and seals
	Swimming and surfing around marine mammals What you can and can’t do when swimming and surfing around whales, dolphins and seals.
	Approaching seals on land Rules around seals found on beaches, boat ramps and other man-made structures.
	Flying over marine mammals What you can and can’t do when operating aeroplanes and helicopters around whales, dolphins and seals.
	Whale, dolphin and seal tourism Discover opportunities to see marine mammals, as well as information about tour operation licences.