The best tours for whale watching in Hervey Bay

It’s not every day one gets to bask in the company of these beautiful creatures, so if you want to spend as much time as you can out on the water, book a full day tour with Freedom Whale Watch.

With approximately six hours of sea time, you’ll get maximum exposure to humpback whales as they rest and play in the protected waters of Hervey Bay’s Great Sandy Strait Marine Park.

Everything is taken care of for you aboard the Freedom III. All you need to do is kick back, relax, tuck into gourmet morning tea, buffet lunch and afternoon tea - and keep your eyes peeled for action on the water.

For a unique chance to listen in on the whales singing, Freedom also has a high-tech hydrophone onboard.

Cost: $120 per child, $180 per adult, $540 for families (two adults + two children).

Includes: Courtesy transfer from your Hervey Bay location, gourmet morning and afternoon tea, tropical buffet lunch, and onboard WiFi.

If you're after an action-packed half day tour: Tasman Venture Whale Watching

Short, sweet and spectacular is the name of the game on the Tasman Venture.

Recently adding a TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award to accolades like Best Tour & Transport Operator in the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards and Bronze in the 2019 Australian Tourism Awards, Tasman Venture has over 30 years of experience whale watching in Hervey Bay and its crew delivers an unforgettable experience.

Offering four-hour half-day tours aboard their speedy catamaran, this three-levelled water beast (complete with five viewing decks, underwater viewing windows and a hydrophone to hear the whales sing) is the go-to vessel for those who’ve found themselves with a spare morning or afternoon to sneak in a whale watching expedition.

The trip out to the western side of K'Gari (formerly Fraser Island) won’t take long on this speedy vessel, but just in case you get peckish along the way, morning/afternoon tea is provided. On the way home, dig into an antipasto platter and share your photos with family back home via the free WiFi.

It would be a shame to come to Hervey Bay and not tag on a day trip to World Heritage-listed K'gari to go 4WDing or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef at Lady Elliot Island. If you want to maximise your time on the Fraser Coast, Tasman Venture offers combination tours that package the best of the best into one great price.

Cost: $120 per adult, $365 for families (two adults + two children)

Includes: Morning/afternoon tea with coffee, an antipasto platter on the way home, a Close Encounters Whale Watch DVD, onboard WiFi and courtesy transfer from your Hervey Bay accommodation

If you're bringing the kids: Spirit of Hervey Bay

Parents with young kids keen for a day out at sea should opt for the morning half-day tour on the Spirit of Hervey Bay for three very good reasons.

Firstly, the spacious five levels of viewing decks (including a large underwater platform) means there’s plenty of room for your kids to move about to find the best views. Secondly, there are kids activities onboard including toys and activity books to occupy them when the whales are playing hide ‘n’ seek. Plus, they’ll get to take home a free souvenir whale DVD to show all their friends back home.

And last but not least, there's a free cancellation policy - handy since we all know plans can change at a moment’s notice when you have kids.

Cost: $130 per adult, $360 for families (two adults + two children)

Includes: Courtesy transfer from your Hervey Bay accommodation, a souvenir whale DVD, onboard WiFi, and morning/afternoon tea

If you have any special requirements: Whalesong Cruises Hervey Bay

Whale watching at Hervey Bay has something for everyone, and no tour caters to various special needs or requests like Whalesong Cruises.

This family-friendly cruise has wide decks and low passenger numbers, so even little ones are guaranteed a prime position during their four hours at sea. Ask the crew for one of their activity sheets if the kids start getting a little restless.

The vessel’s side and rear decks and main saloon are wheelchair accessible and the multilingual crew is able to translate in French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Departing both in the morning and afternoon, we recommend the afternoon sunset tour. It’s the last tour boat to leave in the afternoon, meaning you can arrive in Hervey Bay that morning and spend the afternoon whale watching without having to rush. Chill out with a champagne in hand as the sun goes down and feast on the buffet dinner as you make your way back to port. Just let them know ahead of time if you have any special dietary requirements.

What really sets Whalesong Cruises apart is its commitment to minimising its impact on the environment. The eco-certified family-run tour uses an eco-boat with fuel efficient engines (they use one-third of the oil most other boats do) and has eliminated all single plastic usage onboard.

Cost: $130 per adult; $400 for families (two adults + two children)

Includes: Courtesy bus pick up in Hervey Bay, and morning tea and buffet lunch or afternoon tea and buffet dinner

Good to know: Wheelchair accessible

If you're on a budget: Boat Club Adventure Cruise

If the family itinerary is already jam-packed with awesome Fraser Coast fun, this half-day tour will suit a tight schedule and budget. Adults can hop aboard for $110pp.

Don’t think these budget prices affect the value for money, with refreshments onboard, a knowledgeable crew, and a modern vessel decked out with three purpose-designed viewing decks, hydrophone and underwater camera.

The true gem of the Boat Club Adventure Cruise is Captain Phil House. With over 15 years skippering whale watching vessels in Queensland, he steers the M.V. Amaroo to all the best whale-watching locations and openly shares his wealth of knowledge about humpback whales and the Fraser Coast along the way.

Arrived a little early in the season? The dolphin watch and whale search tour will still give you a chance to see any early arrivals of whales in the area, as well as dolphins. If all else fails, you’ll enjoy a lovely day and lunch out on the ocean and can cool off with a boom net ride as you cruise along the scenic western beaches of Fraser Island.

Cost: From $110 per adult, $290 for families (two adults + two children)

Includes: Courtesy bus from accommodation, morning or afternoon tea and coffee, and all bookings receive a discount for meals and coffees at the Boat Club (so hang on to your boarding pass)

If you want an intimate experience: Blue Dolphin Marine Tours

Taking whale watching to the next level is the award-winning Blue Dolphin, an eco-friendly sailing vessel specialising in small, personalised full-day tours. Capped at 24 passengers per tour (even though they could have more), the crew here prefer to keep things comfortable and intimate.

While it’s easy to slip into vacation mode as you lounge about this luxury catamaran with a wine in hand, don’t forget there’s some prime whale watching to be done, and an even closer encounter when you get eye-to-eye with curious whales who’ve come in for a look at their in-water immersive platform.

Skipper Pete Lynch has a serious soft spot for these mammals. During his 35+ years of experience, he’s helped rescue and rehabilitate many stranded marine mammals both in Australia and overseas. It’s his passion that makes this tour a must for those with an interest in learning more about humpback whales.

When whale season is over, Blue Dolphin cruises the coast of the Great Sandy Straits for bottlenose and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.

Cost: $185 per adult, $590 for families (two adults + two children)

Includes: Courtesy transfer from your Hervey Bay accommodation, morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, complimentary beverage (beer, wine or soft drink) and onboard WiFi

If you want to swim with whales: Hervey Bay Dive Centre and Hervey Bay Whale Watch

Just seeing these magnificent animals up close is enough to make you pinch yourself, but getting the chance to actually share the same space as them? Now that’s an experience for the bucket list.

Hervey Bay Dive Centre combines a three-quarter day of whale watching with a chance to swim with these gentle giants. After the crew has determined that the whales are in the mood for company, put on your mask and snorkel, slip into the water and just float and watch. There’s no need to swim up to the whales; just hold onto that mermaid line and they will come to you - trust us, they’re not shy. In fact, they may even sing you a song if you’re lucky.

Taking no more than 33 guests out on the boat at a time, you’ll get an intimate and once-in-a-lifetime experience with Hervey Bay Dive Centre.

Hervey Bay Whale Watch is another tour operator offering a swim with whales experience. With multiple viewing levels, you can watch the whales from above or get down close to to the action. If the opportunity arises and the whales decide to hang around , the crew will allow those who want to swim to have a chance to jump into the water. 

Note: Swimming with whales cannot be guaranteed - it’s only available if weather and conditions permit. The best chance to swim with whales is July until early September as after this time, sightings are usually of mothers and their newborns. While this is an incredible sight to witness, legislation prohibits whale swims with mothers and calves.

Cost and inclusions:

Hervey Bay Dive Centre: $225 per adult, $150 per child (must be 8 years or older to swim with whales). Includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, plus, snorkelling gear and wet suits

Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters: $114 per adult, $325.00 per child (different times and prices available)

After more up-close interactions with animals? Don’t miss these top animal encounters in Queensland.