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Remote K’gari and Whale Experience Tour from Hervey Bay

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The Full-Day Remote K’gari and Whale Experience Tour gives you a unique day by combining close-up whale watching in Hervey Bay with exclusive access to the western side of K’gari. You will go from breaching humpbacks in Platypus Bay to sand-dune lookouts, crystal-clear snorkelling, and guided kayaking through mangroves over calm waters and secluded creeks. A small group, clever routeing based on the tides, and a staff of skilled naturalists ensure you can spend time in nature without being in crowded areas. Whales are active from early July until the end of October, and they do amazing things like tail slaps and spy-hops just a few metres from the boat. You only need to bring swimmers, a hat, and a sense of adventure; the transports, gear, and substantial food are all taken care of.

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Departure Time

  • Full Day
  • Departs: 7:30am
  • Returns: 4.30pm
  • Offer code: RFIT17W
  • Meeting point: Urangan, QLD

Details

  • Seasonality: Whale sightings usually happen between early July and late October, depending on weather and other factors.
  • Operating Hours: Departs 7:30 am (boarding from 7:15 am) and returns ~4:30 pm.
  • Departure Point: Great Sandy Straits Marina, Buccaneer Drive, Hervey Bay.
  • Travel Mode: High-speed catamaran transfer from Hervey Bay to K’gari.
  • Routing: Up to three Western-side sites selected on the day: Wathumba Creek, Awinya Creek, Bowarrady Creek (tide and weather dependent).
  • Why West Is Best: Reaching these remote Western locations by road would take 6+ hours of driving from the ferry—the marine route saves time, so you spend the day in nature, not in transit.
  • Group Size: Low passenger numbers; maximum 35 (may increase if a larger vessel is substituted).
  • Pace & Difficulty: Gentle to moderate; soft-sand walking at beach landings. Bowarrady dune climb is steep and optional.
  • In-Water Wildlife: Swimming with whales may be offered only when safe and permitted by conditions and crew direction.

Highlights

  • Seeing humpback whales up close at Platypus Bay.
  • Exclusive Western K’gari access to places that other tours don’t get to. This is the only operator allowed to go to certain sites on the Western side.
  • Snorkel through clean streams and coffee rock, and kayak through mangrove canals.
  • Dune lookouts offering expansive vistas of K’gari and the Great Sandy Strait.
  • Full catering, including morning tea, lunch buffet, and afternoon tea. There is also a licensed bar.
  • Small group experience with comments from a professional naturalist.

What you can actually see!

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Full Itinerary

  • 7:15 a.m. — Getting on board, check in at the Great Sandy Straits Marina for a safety briefing and a plan for the day.
  • 7:30 am—Leave Hervey Bay and cruise across the Great Sandy Strait to K’gari, looking for animals along the way.
  • Morning – Whale Encounters Guides position the vessel for respectful viewing, dependent on weather and whale location. Prepare your camera for breaches, tail slaps, and spy-hops.
  • Late Morning to Afternoon: Western K’gari Sites (3 stops maximum) Tide-timed landings at Wathumba Creek, Awinya Creek, and Bowarrady Creek:

Booking

Extra Information
  • Pick-up and drop-off at several Hervey Bay hotels.
  • Morning tea, buffet lunch, and afternoon tea (dietaries on request).
  • All activity gear: snorkels, masks, kayaks, tubing equipment.
  • Expert commentary and guided walks by a skilled team.
  • Whale encounters in season (viewing from the vessel; in-water only when conditions and regulations allow).
  • Licensed bar: beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water.
  • Additional snacks and souvenirs are available for purchase onboard.
  • Sunscreen and a brimmed hat.
  • Swimmers and a lightweight towel.
  • Refillable water bottle (free refills available).
  • Camera or phone in a dry bag.
  • Sensible footwear for the vessel (usually left onboard for beach landings).
  • Tide-Smart Touring: Sites and timing are adjusted daily around tides and wildlife to maximise water clarity and comfort.
  • Only-Here Access: We are the only operator with access to these Western-side locations, offered via small-group beach landings using amphibious tenders.
  • Optional Activities: All in-water and shore activities (snorkelling, kayaking, tubing, dune walk) are optional—relax on the beach if you prefer.
  • Soft-Sand Landings: Amphibious tenders take you ashore; expect stepping between vessels and walking on soft sand.
  • Bowarrady Dune: The summit walk is steep and strenuous; join only if it’s suitable for you.
  • Biosecurity & Footwear: To protect the island, footwear is usually left on board before landings.
  • Weather: Operations may be cancelled or modified for safety in adverse conditions.
  • Mobility Access: The main vessels (Tasman Venture III and Pure Dive) have wide cabins and clearly visible hazard indicators. There are steps to the forward and top decks. Amphibious SeaLegs tenders drive onto the beach to make it easier to get on and off. Shore hikes are on soft sand, and the Bowarrady dune climb is optional and challenging for some.
  • Vision and Hearing: Live commentary through microphones and speakers; visual aids on board (TV screen on Tasman Venture III) to help with interpretation.
  • Family Friendly: Family pricing available; crew hold current Working With Children checks; child-friendly engagement onboard.
  • LGBTQIA+ Friendly: Inclusive language and a welcoming environment.
  • Discount Ticketing: Infant (u/3) free; Child (4–14); Student & Senior concessions; Family tickets; Companion Card offers (contact reservations 7 days a week for details and bookings); Fraser Coast locals discount (see below for 15% details).
  • We cater for vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, dairy-free and gluten-free diets—please advise at booking.
  • Full-Day catering: Morning tea (tea/coffee + cakes & biscuits), buffet lunch (cold meats, house salads, bread, condiments), afternoon tea (tea/coffee + antipasto-style platter).
  • Hot drinks and meals are served in BioPak compostable or reusable service-ware. Bring a refillable bottle for free water refills.
  • Check-In: Please reconfirm your booking 48 hours before departure. The vessel departs on time; no refund if you miss boarding.
  • Itinerary & Vessel: Tours may change, or another vessel may be substituted without notice due to conditions or operational needs.
  • Whale Swims: Offered only when safe, lawful, and conditions allow at the crew’s discretion.
  • Privacy & Website Use: Standard privacy, copyright and third-party links policies apply to online interactions; unsubscribe options are available for marketing emails.
  • Outside 48 hours: No cancellation fee.
  • Within 48 hours of travel: 50% cancellation fee.
  • Within 24 hours of travel or no-show: 100% cancellation fee.
  • Operator Cancellations: If a trip is cancelled for reasons beyond control and you cannot transfer to another date, your fare will be refunded.

Show proof of residence in the Fraser Coast Council area to receive 15% off the following tours: Full-Day Remote K’gari Experience, Full-Day Remote K’gari and Whale Experience, Half-Day Whale Watching Encounter. Book online and enter the local discount code at checkout, or call to apply. Proof of address will be checked on arrival (e.g., driver’s licence, ID or mail).

FAQ

Now and then. You see, there are only a few times when in-water encounters are actually possible – when the sea is calm, the water’s clear enough to see, and it’s safe and also lawful to do it. Your crew will let you know on the day whether it will happen.

Our skippers keep an eye on the weather and where the whales are all day long, then pick the best time and spot to go whale watching based on that. Tides and the weather also figure into our decision on when to visit each spot on the western side.

No way, it’s included in the tour costs.

Yeah, we run our tours rain or shine – unless there’s extreme weather that makes it impossible to get to a safe spot.

No, this tour sticks to the remote Western side – we don’t go inland or to the eastern bits.

You bet, it’s all supplied – snorkelling, kayaking and tubing gear is all taken care of at no extra cost. If you’ve got your own snorkel set, you’re welcome to bring it along.

We keep it nice and small – 35 max (or more if we have to swap to a bigger boat).

Morning tea, a buffet lunch and afternoon tea are all included in the price. We’ve also got a bar selling beer, wine, soft drinks, and water, and you can buy extra snacks or souvenirs.

Absolutely, we cater for vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, dairy-free and gluten-free diets – just let us know when you book, and we’ll sort out the details.

Complimentary pickups and drop-offs are available for some Hervey Bay hotels – just give us your accommodation details when you book, and we’ll tell you if you’re eligible and when to expect the pickup.

Sunscreen, swimsuits, a hat, and a towel are pretty much a must. If you’re going to be taking photos or videos, bring your camera or phone along too. And don’t forget a refillable water bottle! When we’re getting off the boat at the beach, sensible shoes are a good idea – you’ll usually be keeping your shoes on on the vessel.

Yeah, we’ve got a few: infants under three go free; kids (4-14), students, and seniors get a discount; family tickets and a Companion Card offer are also available (just give the booking team a call for more details). Locals from the Fraser Coast get 15% off some tours if you can prove you live there.

If you cancel more than 48 hours before the tour, you won’t be charged. If you cancel within 48 hours, there’s a 50% fee. If you cancel within 24 hours of the tour, or don’t show up at all, there’s a 100% fee. But if the tour operator needs to cancel and you can’t reschedule, you’ll get a full refund.

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