Where to go · AUSTRALIA WHALE WATCHING TOURS

Australia Whale Watching: The 15 Best Trips

55 tours  ·  from $45 a head

The east-coast humpback run is one of the great wildlife migrations, and the boats along it work from about May to November. The 15 below sort Hervey Bay, Sydney and the Queensland coast by price, duration and how close the encounters get.

Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - The 40-minute run toward open water
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Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

1.Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,790 reviews · 2h 45m · from $63Our pick

See humpback whales from Sydney Harbour on a 165-minute cruise with expert commentary, warm drinks, landmark views, and a whale-sighting guarantee.

“Loved the rocking and rolling of the boat. The crew did everything they could to find whales and we were very lucky to see a Mum and her calf swimming in the ocean. It was amazing watching them in their natural habitat. The crew were great. I highly recommend booking this excursion with Sydney Whale watching.”

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Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast - Boarding the Eye Spy at Redcliffe
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Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

2.Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 997 reviews · from $114Top rated

Review the Brisbane whale watching cruise from Redcliffe, with whale sightings, lunch, transport options, seating upgrades, and practical booking tips.

“This was an absolutely amazing trip. To see the whales up close like that is just spectacular. I was concerned about how engaging in a tour like this may adversely affect the whales, but the crew were very clear (and proud!) about how their boat is specifically designed to not disturb the whales, and once you are out there you see that the whales if anything are just as interested in us as we are in them. We were not chasing them and they could have easily gotten away from us if they wanted. The person providing commentary helped you to spot the whales easily and provided a lot of…”

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Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise - Leaving Great Sandy Strait Marina at 9:30
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Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise

3.Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $125

Review of Freedom 3 Hervey Bay whale watching cruise, with whale sightings, meals, boat details, value, tips, and booking advice.

“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!!”

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Whale Watching Tour with Spirit of Gold Coast - Marine biology commentary gives the ride purpose
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Whale Watching Tour with Spirit of Gold Coast

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast - Passing Sydney Heads into open water
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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

5.Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 878 reviews · from $74

Review of Sydney’s four-hour whale-watching cruise, with harbour sights, breakfast or BBQ lunch, expert commentary, value, and seasickness advice.

“From start to finish, the customer service was excellent. Clear instructions were provided before the event. The event hosts were very friendly and knowledgeable. The timing as great because the whales were very active. Thank you!”

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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise - From Circular Quay to the open Pacific
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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

6.Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

Review of Sydney’s 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise, with practical tips on timing, boat comfort, whale sightings, seasickness, and value.

“It was a informative and fun cruise Really enjoyed learning and it the wales Team were great Thanks for the fun adventure”

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Spirit of Gold Coast 2.5-Hour Whale Watching Tour - The first minutes on open water
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Spirit of Gold Coast 2.5-Hour Whale Watching Tour

7.Spirit of Gold Coast 2.5-Hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 703 reviews · 2h 30m · from $52Best value

See humpback whales from the Gold Coast on a 2.5-hour boat tour with marine biologist commentary, 360-degree views, and a free retry.

“Excellent experience, the whales were swimming along beside us and the captain have great commentary with lots of info. The crew took great care of everyone and were very attentive to those who were sea sick too”

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Hervey Bay: Ultimate Whale Watching Experience - Why Platypus Bay is more than a whale backdrop
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Hervey Bay: Ultimate Whale Watching Experience

Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney - Why the small boat changes the experience
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Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

9.Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 571 reviews · from $99

Review of Sydney’s Whale Tales boat trip, with small groups, expert commentary, whale guarantee, harbor views, costs, tips, and practical advice.

“We had to contact the operator, as we where due to travel on the 9am tour but our uber dropped us at the wrong wharf. They were very helpful and booked us onto the 3pm tour instead. The tour did not disappoint and we saw whales. I nice touch was a photographer on board who took photos and we received them in the evening. Highly recommend.”

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Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter - Crossing the Great Sandy Strait toward K’gari
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Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter

10.Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 562 reviews · 4 hours · from $109

Review of Hervey Bay’s 4-hour Tasman Venture whale watch, with catamaran details, whale encounters, food, transport, value, and practical tips.

“Had an absolutely fantastic time on the tour We saw a lot of whales Crew were fantastic very informative and helpful Totally recommend”

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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience - What the whale watching is really like
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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience

11.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · from $111

Review of Whalesong Cruises in Hervey Bay, with whale sightings, meals, decks, pricing, weather tips, and practical booking advice.

“Amazing day. We saw so many whales breaching and fin flapping. The crew were friendly and so helpful. Food was great. What more could you ask for”

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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise - Watching humpback whales in Hervey Bay
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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

12.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 553 reviews · from $111

Hervey Bay whale watching cruise review with catamaran views, hydrophones, family facilities, pickup details, pricing, and booking advice.

“We had such a wonderful day with the crew they were so incredibly friendly and fun informative and made our day!! Saw lots of whales and got up close with lots of mums and babies. Definately recommend!!!”

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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise - Watching humpback whales in Hervey Bay
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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

13.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 538 reviews · from $105

Review the Hervey Bay whale watching cruise, with catamaran views, hydrophones, family features, food, price, and practical booking tips.

“What a wonderful day you managed to tick off 1 of my bucket lists. It truly was a magical experience to see such giants gracefully play”

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Fraser Island Whale Watch Encounter - Sailing the 38-foot catamaran
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Fraser Island Whale Watch Encounter

14.Fraser Island Whale Watch Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 466 reviews

Review of Blue Dolphin’s Fraser Island whale watch from Hervey Bay, with small-group sailing, underwater viewing, whale songs, lunch, and practical tips.

“WE had an exceptional day out with Blue Dolphin. A whole day tour with so may whales up close cavorting and staying with the boat. Truly stunning, we will come again.”

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From Fremantle: 2-Hour Luxury Whale-Watching Cruise - Riding the Steep Point, a catamaran made for whale watching
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From Fremantle: 2-Hour Luxury Whale-Watching Cruise

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Where the whales are

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