Whale Watching in Australia

Experience one of Australia's most unforgettable wildlife encounters. Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate along our coastline, putting on a spectacular display of breaching, tail slaps and playful interactions. Whether you're departing from Sydney or the Gold Coast, discover the best whale watching cruises with trusted operators and enjoy an experience you'll never forget.

CHOOSE A LOCATION TO WHALE WATCH:

Two whales swimming in deep blue ocean water from an aerial view.
Sydney
A humpback whale breaching the ocean surface with water splashing around it.
Gold Coast
A whale's tail emerging from the ocean at sunset with mountains in the background.
Whitsundays

FAQs

  • Whale watching seasons vary by location, but in many parts of Australia—including Sydney, the Gold Coast and the Whitsundays—humpback whales can typically be seen between May and November, with peak sightings during the annual migration.

  • We currently offer whale watching tours from:

    • Sydney

    • Gold Coast

    • Whitsundays

    Simply choose your preferred destination to browse available experiences.

  • The most commonly sighted species is the Humpback Whale, famous for its spectacular breaching, tail slaps and playful behaviour. Depending on the location and season, you may also encounter dolphins, turtles and other marine life.

  • We all love to see a whale breaching (jump out of the water), however let’s be realistic, they do not do it every day! They are wild animals and when we approach them we seek to simply observe their behaviour. Our skippers are committed to driving is a respectful manner around whales. The behaviour you see from the whales is entirely up to them! We need to remember that they are on migration and just like us their activity and behaviour is different each day. If you want to see the full range of whale behaviours, you will most probably need to go whale watching more than once. Although every so often we do get lucky and see all behaviours in the one tour.

  • If a tour is cancelled, a notice will be placed on our website. An email and a SMS text message will be sent to the contact person for your booking. If you have booked and paid direct through our office/online booking system, we will contact you to offer to reschedule your tour to an alternate time. If you are unable to reschedule, a full refund applies. Please note if you have booked through a third-party agent or are travelling using a gift voucher or discounted voucher, the terms of your voucher / booking agent will apply.

  • All our whale watching tours take us out into the open ocean, so it is best to be prepared for all weather eventualities. Ocean conditions can change whilst we are out. We recommend bringing warm clothing, rainproof jacket, hat, sunglasses, any food you may want whilst on the tour and your camera to take photos.

  • Whale sightings are highly likely during the migration season, but as these are wild animals, sightings cannot be guaranteed. Every cruise offers a unique experience on the water, with opportunities to enjoy Australia's stunning coastline and marine environment.

  • Whale watching tours operate in most weather conditions. If a tour is cancelled due to unsafe weather or sea conditions, you'll be contacted by the operator to arrange a reschedule or refund in accordance with their policy.

  • If you have any questions before booking or need assistance with your reservation, our team is happy to help.

    📧 bookings@aboatagency.com.au

An Extraordinary Whale Watching Experience