Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

We advocate for healthy oceans - join us on our Ultimate Whale Watch and become an ocean advocate too! Cruise in comfort on our 12m rigid inflatable boat, the Ocean Defender, purpose-built for small-group tours and whale watching. Enjoy a stunning scenic ride offering panoramic views of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) as you head into the protected waters of Platypus Bay, the world's first Whale Heritage Site - a unique resting area and playground for the East Australian Humpbacks on their migration - part of the Great Sandy Biosphere and Great Sandy Marine Park. The tour is led by marine scientists, providing expert interpretation of whale behaviours, as well as facts and findings from ongoing, world-leading research. Listen to whale songs through underwater hydrophones. Take lots of photos from water-level views, and become an advocate for healthy oceans by supporting whale research, marine education and ocean conservation in Australia.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

No children under 6 allowed on this tour

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

We do not provide pick up or drop off services.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

Junior Naturalist Whale Watch Guide activity book for children

Whale Sightings Guaranteed between July 15 and October 9

Local taxes

Live commentary on board

48 Hour Cancellation Policy

Free soft drinks and snacks provided.

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Gratuities

Hotel pickup and drop-off (we do not provide hotel pick up or drop off services)

What To Expect

We advocate for healthy oceans - join us on our Ultimate Whale Watch and become an ocean advocate too! Embark on an exhilarating whale watch guided by marine scientists. Learn about these majestic mammals through expert commentary whilst supporting world-leading research and conservation projects.

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Start Times

Reviews

4.83

238 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

216

Great Trip
Jordan S,
Jul 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Observed 2 whales, great work from the team considering we were not promised to see any whales due to the time of the year etc. Also see a fair few dolphins along the way. The team also protect the whales by not getting too close, something we respected fully. Still had a great view of the whales.
Whales said hi..
Thomas F,
Oct 19, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Breathtaking experience! The team was very nice and experienced. Whales came up next to our boat, wonderful experience.
From Wales to see Whales
Nicholas M,
Aug 20, 2024
- Viator
5.00
The 3 Crew where fantastic throughout the trip and very informative. We came across a few whales very quickly in only 3M of water. We went further out into the bay, saw a few whales with dolphins swimming around them. We stopped in one spot for almost an hour, 2 whales kept us entertained. After a short while they were coming right up to the boat, poking their heads up often to have a look. They would swim, sometimes upside-down, all around us, everyone getting a good chance to get up close. There seemed to be a lot of whales around the area, breaching and flapping their flippers as they went along. At times the 2 whales would come right up to the boat, blowing out through their blow holes, spraying us with their SNOT!!! When it was our time to leave (they kept the boat out fo a bit longer than usual), I watched another whale come from a distance, flapping it's flipper as it was coming, but unfortunately we had to leave just as it was about to join us. I would highly recommend this trip, we think it was the highlight of our enjoyable trip to Australia. Don't miss it.
Life experience must do
Helen W,
Sep 26, 2023
- Viator
5.00
The perfect boat and team for this experience. So much knowledge and passion about their work. The whales are breathtaking.
Whale Nursery in Hervey Bay
Kathryn B,
Sep 17, 2023
- Viator
5.00
The look on my grandchildrens faces when they saw whales for the first time, and whales feeding their calves was awesome.