Australia · WHALE WATCHING
Humpbacks run north along the coast from about May and come back south with calves into November. The 15 below cover Hervey Bay, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Perth, priced, with the sighting guarantees spelled out.
Meet at Circular Quay and board a spacious catamaran for 2 hours and 45 minutes along Sydney’s coast. An English-speaking guide shares whale facts while you scan for humpbacks from open decks or indoor seating. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, toilets, and a licensed bar are onboard. Bring warm layers and motion-sickness tablets.
“Great fun, knowledgeable guides and we saw lots of whales and dolphins. Would 100% do it again!”
Set out from Redcliffe aboard the purpose-built Eye Spy for a five-hour Moreton Bay whale-watching cruise. Captain Kerry and the crew provide live commentary while you look for humpbacks, calves, breaches, dolphins, and turtles. A fresh picnic lunch is included, with hotel pickup from selected Brisbane and Sunshine Coast locations.
“This company is really well organised. They’ve got an excellent boat which is designed for watching whales up close. The staff are friendly and a lot of information about whales is relayed. We saw many of these magnificent animals up close - it was truly awesome.”
From Great Sandy Strait Marina, Freedom Whale Watch takes you into Platypus Bay for an unrushed six-hour cruise among migrating humpback whales. Toni and the crew provide live commentary, while morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, three viewing levels, indoor seating, and a hydrophone keep the day comfortable and interesting.
“What an awesome day! We saw lots of whales, up close and personal. Our skipper Toni did a great job locating several different pods, and made the day even more enjoyable with her entertaining and informative commentary. Very highly recommend this tour!!”
Cruise from Southport on Spirit of Gold Coast’s 24-meter catamaran during the June to November humpback migration. A marine biologist provides live commentary while you watch from the upper or lower decks. Morning tea, toilets, a licensed bar, and a complimentary return cruise if no whales are seen make this a practical Gold Coast wildlife outing.
“It’s an excellent and once in a lifetime experience.Crew is friendly and they are experts.whales are so close . It’s a thrilling experience.”
Begin at King Street Wharf with breakfast or a BBQ lunch, then cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Manly, and Watsons Bay before heading through Sydney Heads. A naturalist guide, sometimes including Devlin or David, explains whale behavior. The four-hour trip runs May to November, with a free return cruise if no whales are found.
“Fascinating and fantastic to see whales up close, and Personal. Don’t forget to bring your seasick medicine, in fact, take it before you leave for the tour. Other than that lunch was amazing, not your cheese sandwich, and water type of lunch, really good food. All in all, I can’t say enough good things about the tour.”
Leave Circular Quay aboard Fantasea Crystal and reach Sydney’s open ocean in about 20 minutes, leaving most of the cruise for whale watching. Use the open sun deck, covered rear deck, or air-conditioned cabin. English guides share facts and stories, while snacks and drinks are sold onboard. Whales are guaranteed, with a free return cruise if none are seen.
“Absolutely loved this. So easy to access from circular quay. Friendly guides and great ship and really excellent value for money. Worth it just to be out on the ocean but also amazing to see whales and dolphins. Took 4 kids aged 9-13 and everyone loved it!”
Join Captain Dean and the Spirit of Gold Coast crew from Main Beach for a 2.5-hour humpback whale watch between June and October. You will cruise on a purpose-built 24-meter catamaran, hear live commentary from a marine biologist, and scan the sea from 360-degree decks. Tea, coffee, biscuits, and a free return trip if no whales appear are included.
“The trip was fantastic , they made sure we got up close to the whales. The crew were great. We had an awesome day.”
Cruise Hervey Bay’s Platypus Bay aboard the 12m Ocean Defender, a low-slung boat built for close, clear whale views. Marine scientists explain humpback behavior, while underwater hydrophones let you hear live songs. The three-hour tour includes snacks, soft drinks, shaded forward-facing seats, and a children’s naturalist activity book.
“We saw so many whales...a wonderful, unforgettable experience!”
Join Whale Tales at King Street Wharf for a 2.5-hour cruise from Darling Harbour through Sydney Harbour and beyond the Heads. Guides such as Rex, Mette, Alex, Mawi, and Isaac share whale facts while the crew searches for migrating humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine life. A whale sighting guarantee offers a free return cruise if none appear.
“Saw one small sleeping whale gently surface 3 times after about an hour and a half of searching. The crew was awesome and the views from the boat were great as well. In summary, if you only have a couple days in Sydney, I wouldn’t recommend this. It’s a long time and you might not see whales or have a similar experience to what I saw. If you’re dead-set on maybe seeing a whale and get a fun boat ride, do it!”
Set out from Hervey Bay on Tasman Venture’s 20-meter catamaran for four hours among humpback whales. You’ll cruise toward K’gari, use the water-level platform and underwater windows, and hear lively commentary from guides such as Vicky or Rachel. Tea, coffee, biscuits, and an antipasti platter are included.
“Had an absolutely fantastic time on the tour We saw a lot of whales Crew were fantastic very informative and helpful Totally recommend”
Cruise from Great Sandy Straits Marina into Platypus Bay, where humpback whales rest and play beside K’gari. Your Whalesong crew uses underwater cameras and a hydrophone to bring you closer to whale behavior without leaving the boat. Choose a five-hour morning cruise with lunch or a shorter afternoon and sunset sailing with dinner.
“Absolutely loved the experience would do again next year. Only one change would make sure we had warmer clothes it was fresh on the water Great tour great staff definitely worth every cent spent for the day”
Join Tasman Venture for a four-hour Hervey Bay whale-watching cruise aboard an air-conditioned catamaran. Watch humpback whales from an outdoor viewing platform or underwater windows, hear their calls through hydrophones, and enjoy tea, coffee, cake, biscuits, and an antipasto platter. Hotel pickup, child activities, and a return-cruise guarantee are included.
“Must do in Hervey Bay staff are fabulous and very knowledgeable they go out of their way to find the whales would definitely do it again and highly recommend”
Join Blue Dolphin Marine Tours from Hervey Bay for an eight-hour trip to Platypus Bay aboard a 12-meter catamaran carrying up to 24 people. Peter, Jodie, Cassie, or another experienced crew member guides the day, with whale viewing from a submerged platform, hydrophone listening, tea, buffet lunch, and hotel transfers.
“I've been on a few whale watch tours but this is by far the best! Smaller boat and fewer people gets you closer to these majestic giants. The respect these guides show for all the sea life is beautiful. The best day ever!”
Join Whale Watch Western Australia at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour for a two-hour cruise aboard the Steep Point, a three-level catamaran with five viewing decks, heated seating, blankets, and live commentary. You may see adult humpbacks, mothers with calves, breaching youngsters, and playful pods. Marine experts, including commentator Niamh on some departures, explain the action as it unfolds.
“Wow!! What an amazing experience! The boat was great - and not overcrowded; all of the crew were friendly and professional; Niamh, our expert commentator, was really knowledgeable and helpful; and the whales very much earned their money! 💖💖💖 The Captain kindly allowed us an extra half hour (be mindful of that if you have further plans!) to stay and watch these beautiful creatures... It was just wonderful - and unforgettable!”
Cruise Platypus Bay from Hervey Bay aboard the Spirit of Hervey Bay, a stable catamaran with open decks, underwater windows, a waterline platform, and a hydrophone. Expect live commentary on humpback behavior, tea and cake, and possible sightings of whales, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and Fraser Island’s shoreline. Free transfers or marina parking are included.
“Very comfortable boat transfer，nice staff provided good service to us by providing free cup of hot tea.”
Pick a reef, a cellar door or a coast road.
