Your guide to Gold Coast whale watching during migration season

Whale watching season | Gold Coast tours | Best vantage points

The Gold Coast is the first Queensland region to greet humpback whales on their annual migration along Australia's east coast - and the last to see them leave again, making it an unparalleled destination for whale enthusiasts.

From June to October, visitors can witness these magnificent marine giants breaching, tail slapping, and playfully swimming with their calves through the pristine waters off the Gold Coast. Whether you choose a specialised boat tour or prefer land-based viewing from one of the area's scenic headlands, Gold Coast whale watching offers unforgettable encounters.

Gold Coast whale watching season

Gold Coast whale watching season typically spans from June to October, with August marking the peak period when countless humpbacks journey through what locals call the 'Humpback Highway'.

During this spectacular migration season, Gold Coast whale watching tours operate daily from various points along the coastline - and a simple beach walk can turn into a show!

The migration patterns offer different viewing experiences throughout the season. June brings mostly females with yearling calves, July and August features competitive male pods vying for mates during peak migration, and September through October offers the heartwarming sight of mothers swimming alongside their vulnerable newborns on their southward journey back to the chilly waters of the Antarctic.

Gold Coast whale watching tours

Gold Coast whale watching tours have a 100% whale guarantee, so certain are tour operators that you’ll see whales in action during your time on the water. That means if you don’t spot any whales – which is unlikely – you can take another tour free of charge.

Gold Coast whale watching tours depart from numerous locations, including Main Beach, Southport, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, so wherever you’re staying on your Gold Coast getaway, there’s sure to be a whale watching tour departing from a location near you. What’s more, there’s little travel time involved with Gold Coast whale watching tours, so you could be watching whales playing and breaching within 20-30 minutes of your departure time! 

Spirit of Gold Coast, a family-run pioneer of Australian whale watching, offers daily tours from May 31st to October 31st, departing from Mariner's Cove at Main Beach. The 2.5-hour family-friendly adventure includes expert commentary from a marine biologist, a fully licensed bar, welcome tea, coffee, and biscuits, all aboard a purpose-built 24-meter power catamaran for an unforgettable whale watching experience.

Whales In Paradise was one of the first whale watching tour companies on the Gold Coast and offers cruises departing from Surfers Paradise in purpose-built whale watching vessels. The boats are equipped with special underwater hydrophones - so passengers can hear the whales sing and communicate.

Whale Watching with Sea World Cruises departs from Sea World Cruises Main Beach Terminal, which is located at the Sea World car park at Main Beach. Tours aboard the Spirit of Migaloo II, a state-of -the-art whale watching vessel with six levels of external viewing platforms and walk-around decks, come with a 100% Whale Sighting Guarantee and are accompanied by marine naturalists who provide fascinating insights into whale migration and behaviour. 

Where to see whales from land on the Gold Coast

Elevated coastal headlands and shoreline walking paths offer excellent vantage points for Gold Coast whale watching during the annual migration season between May and November. For the best experience, bring binoculars, visit during early morning when the ocean is calmer, and look for water spouts or breaching behaviours that signal whale activity.

Some of the best spots to go whale watching from land are:

Burleigh Heads

With its unimpeded ocean views, Burleigh Hill, located right next to Burleigh Beach, is one of the best spots on the Gold Coast where you can witness migrating humpbacks. You can also spot whales from Tumgun Lookout, which is a higher vantage point than Burleigh Hill, and from the numerous ocean-facing vantage points along the Burleigh Head National Park Ocean Walk that’s accessible from Burleigh Hill. 

Miami

The next headland over from Burleigh, between North Burleigh Surf Club and Miami Surf Club, Miami Headland at Mick Schamburg Park offers sweeping views of the ocean to the north and south, increasing your chances of spotting a whale during the season. The ascent to the top of Miami Headland is easier than Burleigh Heads, making it a great option for older whale watchers and families with youngsters in tow.  

Greenmount Point

Living up to its name, Greenmount Hill is a 30-metre high headland between Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay with ample green foliage and several viewing platforms where you can often spot whales during the season. The headland is great for walking with a paved trail winding its way around the headland, making it suitable for whale watchers of all ages. 

Point Danger

A scenic headland in Coolangatta that marks the Queensland/New South Wales border, Point Danger provides sweeping ocean views and, in addition to being the premier location to catch a view of migrating whales, it’s also a popular spot to watch surfers at Snapper Rocks and Duranbah. If you’re not here in winter during whale season, you can witness dolphins and turtles all year-round. 

Gold Coast high-rises

If you’re staying in one of the many high-rise buildings that stretch along the shores of the Gold Coast and have sea-facing views, you may be able to spot migrating humpbacks from your balcony. Given the distance that whales are usually spotted offshore from the Gold Coast, if you’re to get great views of whales playing and breaching from your balcony, you’ll need to bring a good pair of binoculars.