Whale
Watching Season
|
 During
whale watching season you will see the
whale watching boats in the Broadwater and going through the seaway. When is whale watching season on the Gold Coast Australia? Officially the season goes from June to beginning of November. In late May there are usually the first sightings of the migrating humpback whales up the east coast of Australia. The last of the whales pass our shores on their return journey in early November. |
|
There are
two main advantages for watching the whales from the
Gold Coast.
The humpbacks live in the Antarctic during the southern hemisphere
summer eating krill.
They migrate northwards and into Australian coastal waters looking for warmer water during the winter for breeding.
The main breeding grounds are around the Great Barrier Reef.
When they are on their return journey you can sometimes see the mothers and calves together.
The Gold Coast isn't the only place you can see the whales. Whale watching tours and vantage points are available in many eastern seaboard locations right the way up to the Great Barrier Reef.
Hints for Boat Tours During Whale Watching Season
Gold Coast Whale Watching Boat Tours
There are several whale watching tours options from the Gold Coast. All the tours mentioned below are on catamarans. These boats vary in size bt should offer smooth, comfortable cruising and good viewing opportunities.
Tours usually depart daily during the whale watching season from June to early November. Tours may be cancelled due to bad weather. There is no point in going in rough seas as you will not get a good view of the whales.
1300 Whales
Claims to have the biggest boat! Departs daily 9.00am from Marina Mirage, Main Beach returns approximately 12.30pm.
Spirit of the Gold Coast
Departs daily from Sea World Resort, Main Beach at 9.00am returns at 11.30am. Option to combine with an afternoon at Sea World.
Book a whale watching trip with Spirit of The Gold Coast or find out more information.
Australian Whale Watching
Eclipse catamaran claiming to be the fastest! The boat is pretty good! I have a soft spot for this tour as we had the most amazing August winter's morning whale watching on this boat! Captain Todd and crew were great and we ended up having a once in a lifetime encounter with the amazing whales.
Complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and a muffin when you arrive. There is a big video screen on the lower deck which they play informational videos. There is also a photographer who takes your photo when you board as a momento of your trip.
When viewing the whales you can either be on the lower deck and they open up the bow or on the upper deck. I like the upper deck for the incredible view - but you are closer on the lower deck.
They are a licensed premises which means there is no smoking allowed. Once they get going they open the bar and sell drinks and snack foods.
Departs daily from Marina Mirage, Main Beach at 9.00am returns approximately 12 noon.
Book a whale watching tour with Australian Whale Watching or find out more information.
Whales in Paradise
Only tour that departs from central Surfers Paradise - from the wharf at the end of Cavill Ave on Ferny Avenue.
Twice daily departures:
Morning - 8.30am for a 9.00am departure, returns approximately 12.30pm
Afternoon - 1.30pm for 2.00pm departure, returns approximately 5.30pm
Book a whale watching tour with Whales in Paradise or find out more information.
Whales in Paradise also offer Brisbane pick ups. So you can still book a Whales in Paradise Tour including transfers.
More Information?
Check out my Gold Coast Whale Watching Information section for more options and some great tips about whale watching season.
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!
- Whales pass the Gold Coast for the entire season
- Fast access to "whale alley" - only 20 minutes versus up to 1½ hours from other locations.
They migrate northwards and into Australian coastal waters looking for warmer water during the winter for breeding.
The main breeding grounds are around the Great Barrier Reef.
When they are on their return journey you can sometimes see the mothers and calves together.
The Gold Coast isn't the only place you can see the whales. Whale watching tours and vantage points are available in many eastern seaboard locations right the way up to the Great Barrier Reef.
Hints for Boat Tours During Whale Watching Season
-
Choose a day where it is calm. You will be less prone to sea sickness and the whale viewing is better.
-
Catamarans offer good water stability and most are airconditioned.
-
Don't eat a full greasy breakfast before you go out if you are likely to feel sea sick. Perhaps ask your doctor or pharmacist to suggest something to take. I swear by ginger - but check for your own circumstances first.
-
If you are on a tight schedule I recommend booking the tour you want ahead of time.
-
If you wait to book your tour once you are on the Gold Coast based on the weather forecast you may miss out. Tours do get busy especially for days when the weather is expected to be good.
Gold Coast Whale Watching Boat Tours
There are several whale watching tours options from the Gold Coast. All the tours mentioned below are on catamarans. These boats vary in size bt should offer smooth, comfortable cruising and good viewing opportunities.
Tours usually depart daily during the whale watching season from June to early November. Tours may be cancelled due to bad weather. There is no point in going in rough seas as you will not get a good view of the whales.
1300 Whales
Claims to have the biggest boat! Departs daily 9.00am from Marina Mirage, Main Beach returns approximately 12.30pm.
Review
Some local friends from school picked 1300 Whales cruise because they weren't confident going on boats! They checked out the options and did pick it because it was the largest whale watching boat they saw!
They thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. It was smooth and comfortable and they were blown away when they saw the whales. They were glad they hadn't eaten a full breakfast before they left and also that it was only a couple of hours on the water! They also thought it was great value for such an incredible experience.
1300 Whales book
a half day whale watching cruise or find out more information.Some local friends from school picked 1300 Whales cruise because they weren't confident going on boats! They checked out the options and did pick it because it was the largest whale watching boat they saw!
They thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. It was smooth and comfortable and they were blown away when they saw the whales. They were glad they hadn't eaten a full breakfast before they left and also that it was only a couple of hours on the water! They also thought it was great value for such an incredible experience.
Spirit of the Gold Coast
Departs daily from Sea World Resort, Main Beach at 9.00am returns at 11.30am. Option to combine with an afternoon at Sea World.
Book a whale watching trip with Spirit of The Gold Coast or find out more information.
Australian Whale Watching
Eclipse catamaran claiming to be the fastest! The boat is pretty good! I have a soft spot for this tour as we had the most amazing August winter's morning whale watching on this boat! Captain Todd and crew were great and we ended up having a once in a lifetime encounter with the amazing whales.
Complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and a muffin when you arrive. There is a big video screen on the lower deck which they play informational videos. There is also a photographer who takes your photo when you board as a momento of your trip.
When viewing the whales you can either be on the lower deck and they open up the bow or on the upper deck. I like the upper deck for the incredible view - but you are closer on the lower deck.
They are a licensed premises which means there is no smoking allowed. Once they get going they open the bar and sell drinks and snack foods.
Departs daily from Marina Mirage, Main Beach at 9.00am returns approximately 12 noon.
Book a whale watching tour with Australian Whale Watching or find out more information.
Whales in Paradise
Only tour that departs from central Surfers Paradise - from the wharf at the end of Cavill Ave on Ferny Avenue.
Twice daily departures:
Morning - 8.30am for a 9.00am departure, returns approximately 12.30pm
Afternoon - 1.30pm for 2.00pm departure, returns approximately 5.30pm
Book a whale watching tour with Whales in Paradise or find out more information.
Whales in Paradise also offer Brisbane pick ups. So you can still book a Whales in Paradise Tour including transfers.
More Information?
Check out my Gold Coast Whale Watching Information section for more options and some great tips about whale watching season.
Custom Search
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!
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changing on the Gold Coast.
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