The 15 Gold Coast Whale Watching Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Whale Watching Tour with Spirit of Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 884 reviews · from $53Our pick

Join Spirit of Gold Coast at Southport for a 2-hour-50-minute whale cruise aboard a 24-meter catamaran. Marine biologists and captains such as Dean and Gavin explain humpback behavior as you watch from two decks. Morning tea, toilets, a licensed bar, and a whale guarantee are included.

“The whales don’t always perform with the classic breach behaviour. Mostly they just cruise on by the coast and you get a glimpse as they surface for air.”

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2.Spirit of Gold Coast 2.5-Hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 703 reviews · 2h 30m · from $52Best value

Join Spirit of Gold Coast from Southport’s Broadwater for a 150-minute humpback whale cruise from June to October. Captain Dean and the marine guide share clear, lively commentary while you watch for breaching whales, tail slaps, dolphins, and calves from the boat’s 360-degree viewing areas.

“Amazing trip, saw lots of whale activity with a mother and calf, the crew really knew their stuff and I would thoroughly recommend a trip with them”

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3.Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $63Top rated

Join Kokomo Cruises from Main Beach for a 2.5-hour humpback whale watching trip along the Gold Coast’s Whale Highway. The fast, limited-capacity boat reaches the open sea quickly, with 360-degree views, onboard commentary, and a free return ticket if no whales are seen.

“Whale watching with them has been the best experience ever. The crew Nic and Fran were very friendly. They explained about the life of whales and their activities as we were cruising in the ocean. We had lots of fun. I highly recommend Kokomo Cruise for everyone.”

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4.Whale Watching by Sea World Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · from $63

Cruise from Main Beach aboard the purpose-built Spirit of Migaloo II for up to 2.5 hours in the Australian Whale Sanctuary. Captains and marine naturalist guides explain the whales, while onboard cameras and hydrophones may add another view. Humpback season runs from late May to early November.

“You never know what to expect with these beautiful mammals they definately have a mind of there own and are full of surprises”

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5.Gold Coast: Luxury Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 100 reviews · 2h 30m · from $53

Join Boattime Yacht Charters aboard Sun Goddess for a 150-minute Gold Coast whale watching trip. A marine biologist explains migration and marine life while rotating decks give you wide ocean views. You get light refreshments, a children’s activity sheet, and a licensed bar, with a 100% whale sightings guarantee.

“Like that it didn’t take too long before finding whales. Morning coffee and biscuit was great. What I didn’t like was your advertising stating no food or drink. Drink includes water. After discussions with a staff member I advised them that we have brought on board snacks for the 2 young babies. That’s when we were informed that snacks and water is fine on board. To accommodate your guests they should be able to bring on board snacks snd drinks, unless you provide. I suggest amendments to your advertising.”

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6.Gold Coast Whale Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 80 reviews · 2h 30m · from $62

Join Kokomo Cruises from Main Beach for a 150-minute trip along the Gold Coast Whale Highway. Captain Nick, Fran, or Nic may guide you with live English commentary as you look for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and fish from a limited-seat boat.

“My partner and I loved the whole whale watching experience. We saw a lot of dolphines and whales and the crew is very friendly, caring and tell you interesting information about whales during the tour.”

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7.Swim with Whales in Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · from $80

From Southport, you’ll board Game Changer for a two-and-a-half-hour search for humpback whales. You can swim or watch from the deck. Wetsuit, life jacket, and snorkel gear are supplied, but the whales decide if and when they come close.

“was such an amazing experience, don’t they if you they don’t come straight away! they do end up coming and it is such and amazing experience we even saw some dolphins! just be prepared if the waves are choppy !”

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8.Small Boat Whale Watching Tour in Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · from $73

Meet Aqua Adventures at 95 Marine Parade in Southport for a three-hour whale-watching trip on a quiet, low-sided boat. With a maximum of eight people, you can watch humpbacks at water level, feel their spray, and enjoy a more personal outing than on a large vessel. Life vests and spray jackets are supplied.

“Amazing time traveling out in the Pacific to look for whales. Not only was the weather beautiful during their “Winter” but we saw about 8 different whale pods. The crew did a great job keeping us engaged and spotting the whales for us”

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9.Whale Watching Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $63

Set out from Chinderah at 6:30 am aboard a low-water-level vessel limited to 12 people. Your skipper and marine naturalist search the Gold Coast coast for whales, explain their behavior, and return you to the meeting point after about two and a half hours.

“Super Trip ! Have been to several other whale watching experiences but this was by far the best. These guys really know their stuff and love what they do ! Highly recommended. Thanks !”

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10.Swim with Whales Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $286

Meet at Chinderah at 6:30 am for a four-hour whale encounter with Cooly Eco Adventures. A marine naturalist guide and captain search near Coolangatta, the Gold Coast, and Tweed Heads. Your whale sighting is guaranteed, but an in-water encounter depends on the whales.

“Changing room on the street, wareing wet Wetsuit , almost lots a direction and not sure where whales going and spent almost all our time for searching .”

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11.Tweed Heads: Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 30 reviews · from $92

Join an English-speaking skipper and crew at 8:00am from Ivory Waterside Marina for a three-hour whale-watching cruise. The 50-foot boat has three viewing levels, indoor and outdoor seats, two toilets, and room to move as you look for breaching whales, pec slaps, and peduncle rolls.

“The skipper of the boat and his colleagues worked well in locating the whales. Excellent. We were all in awe if the sight seeing”

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12.Gold Coast: Swim with Whales

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 4 hours · from $268

Join Cooly Eco Adventures for a four-hour whale swim from Chinderah Bay. An experienced skipper, crew, and in-water guide lead a small group toward humpback whales, with safety guidance, marine commentary, and a soft in-water approach. Swimming is not guaranteed, as the whales decide the encounter.

“Excellent! Wouldn’t change anything! Will repeat in no time 😻”

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13.Gold Coast: Swim with Whales

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 11 reviews · from $231

Join Blue Seafaris for a 3.5-hour Gold Coast whale swim aboard a fast rigid inflatable boat. A marine biologist guide searches for curious humpbacks and judges when an in-water encounter is suitable. Sightings are guaranteed, but swimming with the whales depends on their behavior and ocean conditions.

“Not good experience with limited time see the whales The tours guys are nice and informative, helpful for different situations However, the activity is not worth to spend that much in my experience.”

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14.Gold Coast/Coolangatta: Whale Watching with Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 8 reviews · from $85

Join marine biologist Jill aboard Big Blue for a 2.5-hour whale watch from Tweed Heads South. The small rigid inflatable boat carries up to 21 people, uses a hydrophone for live whale song, and often spots dolphins, turtles, and seabirds.

“I highly recommend going on this whale watching trip, it was fantastic! Jill was wonderful, she is so knowledgeable & knows everything about all creatures under the sea. We saw so many Whales swimming beside the boat and breaching... I look forward to going on another one next time I'm up north.”

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15.Gold Coast: Whale Watching Cruise & Sea World Entry

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 5 reviews · 10 days · from $133

Cruise the Gold Coast’s Humpback Highway for up to 2.5 hours with marine naturalists, then visit Sea World for dolphins, penguins, polar bears, rides, and shows. Your ticket stays valid for 10 days after first activation, with entry available the same day or the next.

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