Get ready to be spellbound by the magic of Hervey Bay’s Humpback season on our Afternoon Whale Watch Cruise from Hervey Bay on board the Quick Cat II. You’ll get the lowdown on these incredible creatures and take in the stunning views of K’Gari (Fraser Island) while sipping on a cup of afternoon tea. And as the day winds down, you’ll get to watch the sunset over Platypus Bay in all its golden glory.
Price options
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Adults from 119,00 A$
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Child (4-14) from 70,00 A$
Departure Time
- 4 hours
- Departs: 13.00, Hervey Bay, QLD
- Fraser Island
Introduction
Step onto Quick Cat II and get ready for an unforgettable adventure through the serene waters of Hervey Bay. We know these waters like the back of our hand, having been doing this for over 30 years, so we’ll be able to tell you all about the amazing Humpback Whales you’re about to see.
As we cruise across the Great Sandy Straits and Platypus Bay, keep an eye out for dolphins, turtles, and seabirds while taking in the breathtaking views of K’Gari, the world’s largest sand island, and one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Before we head on home, grab a cuppa, something to nibble on, and get ready to take in the views as we chug along with a glass of bubbles in hand, watching the sun set over Hervey Bay in all its glory.
Details
Departure:
- Departure: 1 o’clock in the afternoon
- Return: 5:00 PM in the evening
- Check-in: 12:45 PM – get there 15 minutes before we leave to make sure everything goes smoothly
- Location: Great Sandy Straits Marina, just beside the famous Quick Cat II and Café Balena
- Vessel: We’ll be sailing on Quick Cat II
- Duration: The whole experience lasts 4 hours
Pricing
- Adult Tickets: $119
- Seniors, Students & Concession Holders: $109 (a discount for those who qualify)
- Kids aged 4 to 14: $70
- Babies under 3: Free to come along and join the fun
Family Passes:
- 2 adults + 2 kids – get a great deal for $329
- 2 adults + 3 kids – and we’ll charge you $398 for the whole crew
Highlights
- Get the chance to spot majestic Humpback Whales just going about their business
- Cruise the calm waters of Platypus Bay and take in some truly stunning scenery
- Enjoy the views of the K’Gari (Fraser Island) coastline, it’s a real treat
- As a special bonus, we’ll give you complimentary tea & coffee to enjoy on board
- Listen to whale song whilst you’re underwater via our hydrophone thingy
- We’ve also got a fully licensed bar on board, so you can treat yourself to a drink
- To top it all off, we’re doing a sunset cruise back to the marina so you can enjoy a glass of bubbles
What you can actually see!
Booking
Full Itinerary
12:45 PM - Check-In Time
Just come on down to the marina and get checked in. Someone will be waiting to sort you out.
1:00 PM - We're Off!
We’ll get moving into the protected waters of the Great Sandy Straits. The crew will give you a full safety briefing & introduce you to what we have planned for the afternoon.
Whale Watching in Platypus Bay
We’ll head out to the best spots where the humpbacks like to hang out. You might just see them breaching, slapping their tails, or even just chillin’ with some of their friends. And if you’re really lucky, we might even spot some dolphins or turtles.
Wildlife Spotting
Keep an eye out for all sorts of marine life as we make our way through the water. You never know what you might see.
Sunset Return Cruise
We’ll cruise back to the marina as the sun sets over the water. It’s a great way to unwind & take in the views of the bay. And to make it even more special, we’ll give you a glass of bubbly to enjoy.
5:00 PM - Back to the Marina
We’ll tie up back at the Great Sandy Straits Marina and say our goodbyes.
- Our crew are some of the most experienced whale watchers in the business
- We’ll give you a running commentary about all sorts of local history and interesting stuff
- You get a complimentary cup of tea or coffee & a few snacks along the way
- And because we’re all about giving you the best experience possible, we’ve got a hydrophone on board so you can listen to whale song underwater
- On the sunset cruise back to the marina, we’ll give you a glass of bubbles to enjoy
- Our vessel is non-smoking, so you can relax & enjoy your trip without worrying about that
- And to top it all off, we’ve got a fully licensed bar on board, so you can treat yourself to a drink
- Swim with the Humpback Whales – $100 per person (weather permitting & subject to our conditions)
We know it sounds like a wild idea, but if the conditions are right & we think it’s safe to do so, we can let you swim with these incredible creatures. Just pay us onboard first.
- A good hat to protect yourself from the sun
- A light jacket for when the sea breeze kicks in in the afternoon, we don’t want you getting chilly
- A decent pair of sunglasses so you can see everything we’re pointing out
- A water-resistant camera, don’t want to ruin the moment by getting your gear wet
- If you’re up for it and participating in the whale swim, don’t forget your swimsuit & towel
- Some cash for the bar, some snacks and a few souvenirs, you’ll work up an appetite & a thirst, trust us
- And a sense of excitement, we like our guests to feel like they’re on an adventure
EFTPOS is available on board, so you can just charge anything you need to your card.
The Weather
Safety is our top priority, so we keep a close eye on the weather conditions. If it’s not safe to set sail, we’ll reschedule or give you a refund. We promise to keep you up to speed on any changes.
Your Whale-Spotting Guarantee
We’re so confident that you’ll see whales that we’re willing to give you a whale sighting guarantee. If we don’t spot any for some reason (which is pretty rare), you can still use your ticket for a future whale watch trip, as long as there’s space available, of course.
Before You Set Off
- Get here 15 minutes before we depart, we don’t want to leave without you
- Just do exactly what the crew tells you to do; they know what they’re doing
- Please keep a close eye on the kids. We’re family-friendly, but safety comes first
- No smoking on board, please. Zero tolerance for that kind of thing.
- We take bullying and abuse seriously. We don’t want any of that on our watch
- And just a heads up: no refunds if you miss the tour because you’re running late
Things That Might Need Changing
- We might switch vessels if we need to, just in case
- Cruise times might vary a bit depending on the weather and conditions
Getting Around Onboard
- We’ve got a really stable catamaran, which should be easy to navigate for most people
- If you need a hand, just let the crew know, they’re here to help
- Our wheelchair accessible restrooms are available. Just give us a shout if you need to know more about that
- It’s a family-friendly environment, so you should feel at home
- And kids under 3 are completely free, you’re welcome to bring the whole crew along
- If you’ve got specific mobility needs or requirements, just let us know before you book, and we can sort something out.
What’s Up If You’ve Got Dietary Needs?
We’ll throw in a light afternoon tea, but if you’ve got any dietary needs or allergies, please let us know in advance so we can sort something out for you.
If We Need To Cancel
- If the weather is bad or there are other operational issues, we’ll give you a full refund
- But if you miss the tour because you’re late or you just don’t show up, no refund for you, I’m afraid
- If you need to reschedule, that’s okay, just let us know, and we’ll try to sort something out. We’ll also honour our whale sighting guarantee
- But just to reiterate: if you don’t see any whales (which is pretty rare), you can still use your ticket for a future trip
FAQ
When is whale season in Hervey Bay?
Generally speaking, it’s between July and October when the humpbacks come through to rest up before heading back to Antarctica.
Is this cruise suitable for kids?
Absolutely! We’re super family-friendly, and we love having the little ones on board.
Am I definitely going to see whales?
Yep, we give you a whale sighting guarantee, so we’re confident that you’ll see some humpbacks on our watch.
Can I swim with the whales?
Yeah, you can, but only if it’s safe to do so, and only if you pay the extra $100 for the privilege of swimming with the whales. And just to reiterate: you’ll need to check with us first to make sure it’s all good to go.
What if I get a bit seasick?
Don’t worry, Hervey Bay is generally pretty calm, but if you’re still worried, just take some preventative measures beforehand.