Gemma Sharp guiding in Perth, Western Australia

    Gemma Sharp

    Sixth-generation WA whale watching guide

    Perth, Western Australia

    Gemma Sharp

    Gemma's story

    Gemma Sharp grew up on the ocean. Raised in a sixth-generation WA family whose roots trace back to pearl diving on the remote Pilbara and Kimberley coastlines, she was homeschooled while travelling some of the most isolated waters in Australia. Today, as co-owner of Whale Watch Western Australia, Gemma guides guests year-round: tracking orca across the Bremer Bay Canyon from January to April, following endangered blue whales through the Perth Canyon in autumn, and hosting humpback encounters along the South West coast. Her family has logged over 7,000 hours with the Bremer Bay orca alone, building trust with individual pods across more than a decade. Gemma reads whale behaviour in real time, teaching guests to understand each surfacing, dive, and shift in energy, with the warmth of someone who has spent her whole life in these waters.

    Gemma's guiding style is research-expedition-meets-premium-hospitality. She delivers real-time expert commentary that teaches guests to read whale body language, identify individual pods by name, and understand migration patterns. The approach is educational and intimate: introducing guests to known family groups (particularly the Orca matrilines in Bremer Bay) rather than passive sightseeing, all backed by five-star service and genuine cetacean expertise.

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    Gemma's Reviews

    “We’ve had an unforgettable whale watching experience in Fremantle! We visited in October 2025, and the weather was perfect. The view of the Perth city skyline from the water was absolutely stunning a must-see for both locals and tourists. The tour goes 15–20 minutes from Fremantle’s shore, which is ideal if you’re prone to seasickness like me — the waters were calm, and I felt completely comfortable throughout the trip. We were lucky to witness three pods of whales playing together, around 15 whales in total. Seeing them so close and observing their playful behaviour was truly surreal !! A once in a lifetime experience.”
    Martyna Bachurek
    “A perfect Orca experience! The staff of Whale Watch WA in Bremer Bay are amazing! Every one of them professional, caring and considerate. The boat is roomy, and rides through the swells incredibly well. The food and drinks were brilliant and all included in the price - including beer and champagne on the way home. The Orca experience exceeded our expectations. We were out in a heavy swell, but the thrill was seeing the whales surfing the waves, and even rolling onto their sides and swimming alongside and underneath the boat. The commentary was so informative and captivating - it added massively to the enjoyment of the day. Can’t recommend highly enough! ❤️👏😍👏❤️ ”
    Grant Stuart
    “On 28/01/2026 I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, I’m still left speechless from how truly perfect the day was. I’ll never forget the moment I first saw an Orca, I was completely overcome with emotion. I managed to get some incredible footage on my GoPro. It certainly won’t be the last time I make the trip with you guys. Keep up the wonderful work you do, your contribution to science, conservation and the community is outstanding. Photo from returning to shore, because I was too busy watching orcas to get any photos on my phone!”
    Roisin Johnson

    Moments with Gemma

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    Western Australia coastal landscape at sunset

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