The Half-Day Whale Watching Encounter Tour takes you to Queensland’s Fraser Coast, where Hervey Bay is known as the site where the whales dwell and play. Hervey Bay is one of the few spots where migratory humpback whales stop to rest. That’s the enchantment of this excursion. Whales come into the quiet, protected waters of the bay from July to October to rest, care for their young, and communicate with each other. You spend less time commuting and more time next to the action thanks to a fast, comfortable catamaran, several viewing levels, and skilled Naturalist Guides. This is an easy, family-friendly way to see remarkable whale behaviour. You are certain to see them, and you may leave in the morning or afternoon. Two light meals are also included.
Price options
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Adults From 155,00 A$
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Child (4-14 years) 80,00 A$
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Family: (2 adults and 2 children) 460,00 A$
Departure Time
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Morning: Departs 8:30am, Returns 12:30pm
- Afternoon: Departs 1:30pm, Returns 5:30pm
- Offer code: WWT15
- Meeting point: Urangan, QLD
Details
- Tour Type: Half‑day whale‑watching cruise with morning and afternoon options.
- Time: Half‑day
- Morning: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Afternoon: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
- Departure Location: Great Sandy Straits Marina, Buccaneer Drive, Hervey Bay (Urangan)
- Boarding Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before departure to board and for your safety briefing.
- Vessel & Facilities: Fast catamaran with big viewing decks, a platform at water level, a window for seeing underwater, a hydrophone on board, and audio and video commentary devices.
- Guides & Group Size An experienced captain and crew, as well as a naturalist guide on board. For comfort, the maximum number of passengers during whale season is about 85.
- Season: The best time to see them is from early July to late October, but this can change from year to year.
Highlights
- A world-famous place where whales rest and act like themselves.
- Close-up interactions: breaching, spy-hopping, tail-slapping, and rolling around for fun.
- Mothers and calves are bonding and learning new skills.
- A water-level platform and an underwater window are just two of the many places you may see from.
- The onboard hydrophone delivers immersive sound.
- Crew and Naturalist Guide with extensive experience and knowledge.
- An itinerary that is flexible and dependent on where the whales are right now.
- Family-friendly activities, like the Whale Warrior Programme, which teaches kids.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tour Duration | ~4 hours |
| Departures | 8:30 am–12:30 pm; 1:30 pm–5:30 pm |
| Departure Point | Great Sandy Straits Marina, Hervey Bay |
| Boarding | 15 minutes prior |
| Whale Guarantee | Guaranteed whale sightings (open-dated return ticket if no whales are sighted) |
| Max Guests | ~85 passengers |
| Transfers | Hotel pickup/drop-off from select accommodations |
What you can actually see!
Important Information
Each half-day tour includes two light meal services: morning/afternoon tea on the way out, then an antipasto-style platter on the return cruise. Meals and hot drinks are served in BioPak compostable containers or on reusable plates and cutlery. Beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water are available to purchase. Passengers are encouraged to bring a refillable bottle to top up with the free drinking/tap water onboard.
We have a team of experienced Naturalist Guides who know this bay intimately — many have been with us for years and can even recognise individual whales. Our tours are flexible and nature-led: the whales decide the show, and we’re their captive audience.
Hervey Bay’s calm, sheltered waters are a renowned resting ground during the southern migration. Whales are often curious and interactive, approaching the boat to spy-hop, breach, tail-slap or roll playfully beneath us. Keep an eye out for mothers and calves bonding and learning, sometimes mimicking each other’s spectacular moves.
A Naturalist Guide is an expert in the natural world who provides educational insights on wildlife, ecosystems and conservation. Onboard, they’ll explain humpback behaviours, migration patterns and the unique role Hervey Bay plays as a whale sanctuary. Guides also point out other marine life, discuss conservation efforts and answer questions throughout the day.
This free, onboard education program features engaging videos and presentations to inspire conservation, especially among younger travellers. Children can become Junior Whale Warriors by purchasing a pack (with 50%+ of proceeds supporting AMCS), including an educational journal, Junior Whale Warrior hat, VIP wheelhouse visit with a photo, a marine mammal toy and more.
- LGBTQIA+ Friendly: Inclusive language and a welcoming environment.
- Vision & Hearing: Commentary via microphones and speakers throughout the vessel; Tasman Venture III features a TV screen for visual aids.
- Mobility Access (Vessels): A few steps to reach the forward deck and a flight of stairs to access upper decks. Large windows in the main cabins allow comfortable seated viewing; hazard markers and signage aid visibility.
- Boarding & Parking: Plenty of free parking near the vessels at Great Sandy Straits Marina, Urangan — two main car parks plus on-street parking for larger vehicles.
- Shore Excursions (on full-day tours): Where shore landings are included (e.g., Remote K’gari tours), transfers use Amphibious SeaLegs tender vessels. Guests step from the main vessel onto a platform, then onto the tender, which drives onto the sand and lowers for safe disembarkation. Some walks occur on soft sand; at Bowarrady Creek, there is a steep dune climb that can be strenuous (all activities optional).
- Footwear Guidance (for K’gari landings): Wear sensible footwear on vessels (decks may be wet). For island landings, guests are encouraged to leave footwear on board to reduce bio-contaminants.
Half-Day Cruises
Tea/coffee with cakes, biscuits, danishes; antipasto platter on return.
Full-Day Cruises (if booked separately)
Morning tea (tea/coffee + cakes & biscuits), buffet lunch (cold meats, homemade salads, bread & condiments) and afternoon tea (tea/coffee + antipasto platter).
Catered Diets
Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, dairy-free and gluten-free (please advise at booking).
Vegetarian/Vegan examples
Garden salad, pasta salad, falafel.
Booking
Terms & Conditions
- Confirmation: Please confirm bookings 48 hours before departure.
- Late Arrival: No refund if the vessel departs at the advertised time without you.
- Adverse Weather: Trips may be cancelled without notice for safety; the operator may substitute another vessel if the advertised vessel is unavailable.
- Operator-Cancelled: If a trip is cancelled due to circumstances beyond control and you cannot transfer your booking, your fare will be refunded.
- General Policies: Full legal wording, privacy details and website terms may change; refer to Tasman Venture’s official documentation.
Privacy & Website Notices (Summary)
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Cancellations And Refunds
- More than 48 hours before departure: No cancellation fee.
- Within 48 hours of travel: 50% cancellation fee.
- Within 24 hours of travel: 100% cancellation fee.
- Operator cancellation: Full refund if rebooking is not possible.
- Guaranteed Sightings: If no whales are seen on the Half-Day Whale Watching Encounter, you receive an open-dated return ticket.
FAQ
What is the duration of our visit to Whitehaven Beach?
Our Half-Day Whale Watching Encounter Tour offers a guaranteed sightings policy, where you will receive an open-dated return ticket if you do not see any whales. However, it is very uncommon not to see whales during the season.
Can I swim with the whales?
Experience tour. This is not a guaranteed experience; it is provided when conditions permit, at the skipper’s discretion, based on a variety of factors, including whale behaviour and sea conditions. The best time for this experience is during July and August. Once our mother-and-calf pods start arriving in September, the chance to swim with the whales dramatically decreases.
Do tours run when it’s raining?
How many people travel on the tour?
During our whale season, we limit our capacity to approximately 85 passengers for our guests’ comfort.
How many whales will I see?
The number of whales we see on each tour varies greatly throughout the season. Our peak season is between August and September.
Is it better to travel in the morning or the afternoon?
Humpback whales are wild animals, so there’s no schedule for their visits. We haven’t found that their behaviour follows any specific pattern by time of day, so we suggest choosing the tour time that suits you best.
When is whale-watching season?
Humpback whales are observed in Hervey Bay during their southern migration, usually from early July to late October. The dates can vary year to year, as the whales are wild animals and their migration changes slightly each year.
Where can I get picked up or dropped off for the free transfer?
Our free transfer will pick you up and drop you off at select Hervey Bay accommodations. Just let us know which hotel or Airbnb you’re staying at, and we will let you know whether it is included in our service and when to expect your transfer.