Swim with Whales Tour from Gold Coast is an unforgettable, eye-to-eye ocean experience where you may enter the water with migrating humpback whales in small, guided groups near the Gold Coast and Tweed region.
Price options
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Adults from 379,00 A$
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Private Charter Call to Book!! from 3 299,00 A$
Departure Time
- 240 min
- Departs: 6.30, Chinderah , NSW
- Gold Coast
Introduction
Swim with Whales Tour from Chinderah lets you get a close-up look at one of the world’s most amazing animals, the humpback whale. Every year, around May and November, over 40 thousand of these beautiful creatures make their way up the east coast of Australia from Antarctica, skimming past the continental shelf as they go. That’s why we have the chance to experience them up close off the coast of Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.
You get to be part of a truly unique experience where you get to swim in the water with these gentle giants, but only if they want to be there, because we’re not the ones going in the water; the whales get to decide if they want to swim with us.
Working with a small group and a crew that are passionate about marine conservation and want to give you the experience of a lifetime in the wild Pacific, this tour really focuses on doing things properly, safely, and in a way that leaves a positive impact on the area. There’s only one tour departure per day, so you can expect a truly special and meaningful day.
Details
- Price: For people 15 years and older, the cost is $379 AUD per person. If you want a private charter for up to 9 people, it’s $3299AUD – just give us a yell to see if we have availability.
- Location: Chinderah NSW (just a 10-minute drive from Coolangatta on the Gold Coast)
- Duration: About 4 hours
- Departure Times: We leave at 6:30 am every day And also at 11 am, but we only do this one if the weather and tide are just right.
- Guarantee: If you don’t see any whales from the boat when you come with us, then your tour is free to try again.
Highlights
- Dive into the ocean with migrating humpback whales (providing the weather is right)
- Only 9 swimmers can get in the water at any one time
- A professional skipper and a crew with masses of experience in the marine world
- You’ll get loads of educational commentary about whales, marine life and the local history
- Premium wetsuits, snorkelling gear & reef-safe sunscreen are all included
- We serve up fresh fruit to munch on afterwards
- Our boat’s a low-emission vessel, so you can feel good about what you’re doing
What you can actually see!
Booking
Full Itinerary
Check-In & Getting Ready
Head down to Chinderah Bay Drive, and after you’ve checked in, you’ll need to sign a waiver and get kitted out with a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and lifejacket.
Briefings
You’ll get two comprehensive briefings as part of your experience:
- The pre-departure briefing — we’ll go over all the procedures, rules, and regulations for getting in and out of the water safely in the ocean.
- The on-water briefing — once you’re in the water, we’ll go over the basics of using your gear, getting in and out of the water without disturbing the whales and generally how to behave yourself in the water.
This last bit is super important, as we want to make sure you get the best possible experience and the whales don’t get spooked.
On the Water & Down the River
We’ll take you on a 32ft commercial RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) down the river towards the open Pacific Ocean. This is a proper safari-style boat that’s built for offshore adventures.
Whale Watching & Swimming
We’ll identify which whales are receptive to visitors, and once the time is right, we’ll get you in the water. You’ll be in a small group with a guide, and the whales may come as close as 30 metres – if that’s what they want to do.
Relaxing with Fruit After Your Swim
After your swim time is up, grab a bit of fresh fruit to eat on the boat while we carry on spotting whales and other marine life on the way back to Chinderah.
- A top-notch skipper and a crew that really knows their stuff
- Only 9 swimmers can get in the water at any one time
- As many in-water whale swim attempts as we can manage (whales permitting)
- Top-notch snorkelling gear that you can use while you’re in the water
- Warm wetsuits to keep you toasty
- Reef-safe sunscreen to keep your skin safe
- A bit of kit to help you stay afloat and support you in the water
- Expert commentary on all the marine and cultural stuff we spot
- Fresh fruit to munch on after your swim
- Loads of safety gear – oxygen, defibrillators, you name it
- Private charter option (1–9 guests)
- Professional photography (bring a GoPro/camera)
- A warm beanie, jumper or jacket to keep the chill off
- A spray jacket or raincoat (don’t worry, we also have ponchos available)
- Some sun protection, sunglasses and a hat are a must
- A towel so you can dry off after a swim
- A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated
- A GoPro or waterproof camera to capture the action
- And most importantly, a sense of adventure!
Participation Requirements:
- Minimum age to join is 15 years old
- Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- You definitely need to be able to swim unassisted
- Previous snorkelling experience is essential
- Unfortunately, this tour isn’t suitable for pregnant guests or those with back injuries
Your Safety is Our Top Priority:
- All of our crew are trained in First Aid, CPR, oxygen and advanced resuscitation techniques
- We have extensive knowledge of whale behaviour
- We’ve got all the necessary safety gear onboard, including oxygen, a defibrillator & a maritime first aid kit
Getting Here:
139-151 Chinderah Bay Drive, NSW 2487
There’s street parking available (just steer clear of the Cubby Bakehouse and Chinderah Pub car parks)
This tour is only suitable for people with independent swimming ability and fairly good mobility. We need to be able to get in and out of the vessel safely. Unfortunately, the experience isn’t wheelchair-accessible and may not be suitable for people with limited mobility due to offshore ocean conditions. If you have any medical conditions or concerns, please get in touch before booking
We’ll have some fresh fruit available after your swim. Just let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions when you book.
- If we don’t spot any whales from the boat, you get a free return trip
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee swimming interactions with the whales, as that’s down to the animals themselves
- We only head out if the weather and tides are safe. If we get cancelled due to bad weather, we’ll reschedule or give you a refund
- Our standard cancellation policies apply; we’ll go over the details when you book
We’ve got a top-notch 32ft custom-built commercial safari RIB, which includes:
- Comfortable jockey seating for all
- Secure waterproof storage for your gear
- Twin 250HP Suzuki engines that are super quiet and environmentally friendly
- We’ve designed it for speed and stability to get up close to the action with a small group size for a really intimate experience
- And it’s got all the bells & whistles for a premium encounter
- We’ve got biodegradable, reef-safe cleaning products
- We’ll be providing reef-safe sunscreen on board
- We try to keep it plastic-free where possible
- We’ve got a strict no-touch, no-take wildlife policy
- Our ultra-low emissions engines are good for the environment
- We even compost our food scraps & use eco-friendly uniforms
- All our gear is recycled and responsibly sourced
This is a clean, green ocean adventure focused on protecting the marine environment for future generations.
FAQ
Is swimming with whales guaranteed?
No, whale sightings from the boat are guaranteed, but swimming interactions depend on the whales’ mood.
How close will we get to the whales?
We’re only allowed to get within 30m of the whales, but if they choose to come closer, that’s just the way it goes.
What if the weather gets rough?
We only go out in safe conditions. If we are cancelled due to bad weather, you can reschedule or receive a refund.
Do I need snorkelling experience?
Yes, you’ll need to be a confident swimmer with prior snorkelling experience.
Is this suitable for beginners?
No, you’ll need to be able to swim unassisted in open ocean conditions.
What makes this tour different?
We run only one swim tour a day, so we have plenty of time to find willing whales without rushing.