5 Brisbane Whale Watching Tours Worth the Early Start

1.Brisbane: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 448 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $113Our pick

Cruise Moreton Bay aboard the MV Eye Spy for about five hours, with a guaranteed whale sighting, fresh picnic lunch, and commentary from Captain Kerry Lopez. Optional Brisbane hotel pickup is available, and the wheelchair-accessible catamaran has a licensed bar, snacks, and souvenirs.

“An amazing experience! The tour was so informative and a beautiful site to see the whales in their natural habitat. Even better to have a tour which cares for these beautiful creatures and there environment. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island Day: Wildlife & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 391 reviews · 1 day · from $134

Spend a full day on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island with guides such as Ivy, Jack, Anton, or Tess. Ride the ferry, walk the North Gorge, search for wild koalas and kangaroos, watch for marine life, swim at Cylinder Beach, and hear about Quandamooka culture in a small group.

“Ivy was a great guide, very knowledgeable and helpful, Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $109Best value

Take a ferry from Brisbane to Moreton Island, then join a 3-hour whale watching cruise with an Eco Ranger, onboard lunch, and commentary on humpback behavior. You also get resort access, a dolphin presentation, and a complimentary transfer drink, though free time on land is short.

“The trip is very informative and staff are very helpful. Lunch is a bit too light, just salad and a small ham & cheese muffin. We managed to see 7 to 8 whales! We were lucky to have fantastic weather.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $136Top rated

Spend about 11 hours exploring North Stradbroke Island with a small group and a guide such as Ivy, Jack, or Anto. You will cross Moreton Bay by ferry, walk the North Gorge, seek koalas and kangaroos, relax at Cylinder Beach, and return by ferry near sunset.

“Wildlife sightings were great and trip was very relaxing. Our guide , Ivy, was very pleasant and helpful .”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Feeding

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 57 reviews · 1 day · from $162

Take a 75-minute ferry from Brisbane to Moreton Island, relax at Tangalooma Island Resort, then join a three-hour whale cruise with lunch and commentary. Finish by hand-feeding a wild bottlenose dolphin at sunset with help from Eco Rangers. The dolphin session depends on tides, weather, and attendance.

“These activities were actually so interesting and attracted me! Generally, I was enjoyed with my family most of time! However, the activity of dolphin feeding was too short and rushed and we got to get changed our wet body immediately just after dolphin fed! As the ferry is going to depart @7pm and we did not managed to get everything done in such short time, especially with kids. Furthermore, if the activity of dolphin feed were started late!”

Check availability →Read our full review