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There's a moment on every whale watching trip when someone on deck goes quiet and just points. A 40 tonne humpback breaching against open water does that. Whether you're booking whale watching in Sydney, chasing the Humpback Highway on the Gold Coast, or heading out from Hervey Bay, Perth or Victoria, RedBalloon puts you on the water for it. Pick a cruise, gift a cruise, or just go.
Explore Whale Watching by Region
Australia's coastline gives you a lot of ways to do this. Here's where to start.
Whale watching Sydney
Humpbacks breach just past the Heads, sometimes close enough to hear. Two ways to see it:
Whale watching Gold Coast
One of the longest continuous seasons in the country. Alongside the Sea World cruise above, try the Gold Coast Whale Escape Luxury Whale Watching Cruise, departing Main Beach on a private yacht.
Whale watching Hervey Bay
The only protected marine park in Australia where whales stop to rest for weeks at a time.
Whale watching Perth
Southern Right whales, humpbacks and the occasional Pygmy Blue on their annual migration.
Whale watching Brisbane
Whale watching Victoria
From the granite cliffs of Phillip Island to the remote bays past Wilsons Promontory.
Whale watching Nelson Bay
Head offshore from Port Stephens or Newcastle to visit seal colonies on the way out.
Whale watching Jervis Bay
Crystal clear water and a good chance of spotting mothers with newborn calves on the Jervis Bay Whale Watching Cruise - 2 Hours.
Bremer Bay, WA
For orcas rather than humpbacks, the Killer Whale Expedition from Bremer Bay runs during the narrow window they pass through, January to April.
More Animal Experiences Worth a Look
Whales aren't the only reason to get out on or near the water. If you're gifting for someone who loves wildlife, take a look at swimming with dolphins, shark diving, horse riding, animal encounters or an aquarium and zoo pass for a gentler day out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is whale watching?
It's exactly what it sounds like: heading out on the water, usually by boat, to see whales in their natural habitat. Most Australian tours run alongside migration routes, with a guide or marine naturalist on board pointing out behaviour like breaching, tail slapping and spy-hopping as it happens.
How do you choose a whale watching tour?
Start with location and season, since different coastlines peak at different times of year. From there, think about boat size (smaller vessels like the Intimate Whale Watching Cruise - Sydney get you closer to the water), trip length, and whether you'd like food included.
What should you bring on a whale watching trip?
A warm jacket, sunscreen, a camera and sea sickness medication if you're at all prone to motion sickness. Open water can be cooler and windier than it looks from shore, even in summer.
What types of whales can you see while whale watching?
Humpback whales are the most commonly sighted along the east and west coasts during migration. Southern Right whales appear along the southern coastline, Pygmy Blue whales turn up occasionally off Western Australia, and orcas gather seasonally at Bremer Bay.
How likely are you to see whales on a whale watching tour?
Most operators report sighting rates above 80 percent during peak season, though nothing in the wild is ever guaranteed. Cruises during the height of migration, typically July and August, tend to have the best odds.
When is the best time for whale watching?
Generally June to November across the east and west coasts, with regional variations. Hervey Bay peaks July to October, the Gold Coast runs late May to early November, and Bremer Bay's orcas pass through January to April.
Where are the best places for whale watching?
Sydney, the Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, Perth and Victoria all offer well-established tours. For land-based viewing, Cape Byron Lighthouse in Byron Bay and Cape Solander in Sydney are solid vantage points if you'd rather watch from the coast.
Which whale watching tours suit families with young kids?
Larger vessels with multiple decks and an indoor lounge tend to work best, like the Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch or the Whale Watching Cruise with Morning Tea and Lunch - 6 Hours, which give younger passengers room to move.