Best Time For
Whale Watching

Humpback tricks include spouting water, slapping their fins and tails, spy-hopping (where they poke their noses out of the water till they can eyeball you), breaching (jumping out of the water) or just hanging around.

If you haven't seen this in person - I highly recommend you get out there and meet them!  They are incredible. Here are some of my experiences.

Best Time For Whale Watching In Gold Coast

You can take your pick of what is the best time for whale watching from the various parts of the cycle of these animals as they migrate to their breeding grounds and return along the east coast of Australia.

I see there being three parts to the season, but it is not black and white rather a fuzzy grey between each part. So use this as your guide to work out the best time for whale watching in the Gold Coast for you.

• Early Season - May, June and July
• Mid Season - August and September
• Late Season - October and November

Early Season - May, June and July

Even though the season runs from late May to early November, there is a definite cycle to what you will see.

The first humpback whales start passing the Gold Coast from mid to late May.  We usually get warning as they stop off for some sightseeing in Sydney first!  That is usually when the first excitement starts to build!

There is a big research centre at Byron Bay, and they monitor whale activity including numbers and do other useful research.

There is a pure white humpback whale that has been named Migaloo. You'd be very lucky to spot him!

The whales migrate from Antarctic waters up the east coast of Australia to warmer water for breeding and giving birth. It is a 5,000 km trip and they don't eat!

During these months you will usually see whales only going north.

Mid Season - August and September

During August and September you will start to see humpback whales heading back south. You will mostly see only adult or juvenile whales at this point with the occassional mother and calf. The numbers of calves will increase the later in the season it is.

The mothers and calves usually stay in the warmer waters until the calves are a bit older and stronger and have learnt some tricks!

Late Season - October and November

By this stage you should only see whales heading south to the Summer in the Antarctic. You are more likely to see mothers and calves at this point.

You may also see some Orcas or Killer Whales.  Orca head north in search of easy humpback prey.  They hunt down the humpbacks in packs and will pick off the calves if they can.

This is nature, but it seems devastating when you realise that once they kill the humpbacks they only eat the lips and tongues.  Having said that the lips and tongues can be up top 4 tonnes in an adult humpback!

The rest of the humpback is then eaten by other ocean inhabitants such as sharks, other fish and marine birds - grateful for the free lunch.

This isn't something I particularly want to see.  When we lived in Victoria I can remember several news stories of whale carcasses floating in the waters of Victoria and South Australia, so these hunts are more likely to occur down there.  

Orcas can be seen off the Gold Coast later in the season.  It is not the norm - so don't come expecting to see them, but be pleasantly surprised if you do.

The best time for whale watching?
You pick - you decide what you would like to see.  I don't have a favourite time, because every day is different and wonderful. Just get out there and see these beautiful creatures.

Whale Watching Tours

Whale watching tours run throughout the season. Mostly from 1 June to 31 October.  Most tours have pretty good sighting records, so you are almost (not quite) guaranteed to see the whales.  What you see will depend upon many things including the weather, the whales on the day and the point in the season.

Check out the Gold Coast Tours available.

Whale Watching Hints and Tips

As you can see there are pros and cons for all parts of the season. You will have to decide which is the best time for whale watching for your particular circumstances.

I get asked questions all the time about various aspects of Gold Coast whale watching.  Here are some articles I have written about hints and tips for a great whale watching experience.

• What to wear on a whale watching trip

• Whale Watching Cruise - Tips for a comfortable day

• Land Based Whale Watching Tips

Where to stay on the Gold Coast?
Looking for information about where to stay on the Gold Coast during whale watching season?  Suburb by suburb you will find useful information about local attractions, facilities, accommodation and travel information.


What is there to do in the Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast has lots of other activities and attractions to enjoy during the Gold Coast whale watching season, not just watching whales - check out what else you can do while you are here!