Spirit of Gold Coast
ProHighlights
- Humpback watching on a 24-metre catamaran with open upper and lower decks
- A marine biologist gives live commentary as the whales pass the coast
- Staff and Christmas party cruises on the Broadwater, shared or fully private
About Spirit of Gold Coast
Spirit of Gold Coast is a 24-metre power catamaran built for whale watching, based at the Aqua Adventure Centre in Southport. Upper and lower decks both have open viewing, and the indoor cabin holds comfortable seating and a fully licensed bar. The whale cruise lasts about two and a half hours and leaves at 9.30am and 1.30pm through the season, which runs from late May to the end of October. A marine biologist talks guests through the humpback migration while the crew help everyone find a clear view. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served on arrival. If a cruise sees no whales, guests get a free return trip. Dolphins are often seen along the way, and a photographer travels on board. Groups have a second reason to look here. Between October and April, staff and Christmas parties can take the private upper deck on a two-hour weekend Broadwater cruise, with dinner and grazing platters, for a minimum of 15 guests. For a bigger event the whole vessel can be hired, starting at two hours and taking up to 160 guests on the Broadwater. Music, catering and extra time are added on as needed, and the team also hosts family reunions, conferences and office functions. The boat circles Wave Break Island and Crab Island, then crosses towards South Stradbroke Island, and it keeps moving until it returns to the marina. It is not wheelchair friendly. Send an enquiry with your date and numbers to get a quote.
Inclusions & amenities
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What's Included
Frequently asked questions
What does a whale cruise cost for a group?
Adult tickets are $109 and children are $69, with a family ticket for two adults and two children at $287. Send an enquiry for larger group numbers.
Can we hire the whole boat for a staff or Christmas party?
Yes. A private two-hour Broadwater cruise starts from $2,600 and takes up to 160 guests, with music, catering and extra time charged as add-ons.
What is the smaller option for a work party?
The public party cruise gives your group the private upper deck with dinner and grazing platters for $120 a person, minimum 15 guests, on weekends from October to April.
Can we bring our own food and drinks on the whale cruise?
Light snacks are fine, particularly for children, but BYO alcohol is not allowed. The licensed bar on board sells drinks and snacks throughout the trip.
What should we wear on the water?
Pack a warm jumper or a windproof jacket because it is cooler at sea, along with a hat. Fully covered shoes with good grip suit the decks.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Matthew Loughnan
a month ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Incredible experience on the water from start to finish! We had an awesome time out with Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching! The vessel itself is beautiful—spacious, exceptionally clean, and thoughtfully laid out…
Lisa Gaertner
a year ago
I’ve been on this tour three times now and it has been absolutely fantastic every single time. We were lucky enough to spot dolphins, a turtle, and even a ray in addition to the whales. The crew is incredibly kind, answe…
Jammi Vasudev Rao
a year ago
Whale watching yesterday was an awesome experience! The friendly staff, welcome drinks, and snacks made it even better. The weather was perfect, and seeing whales up close along with a group of dolphins swimming beside o…
Simon Daniel
a year ago
It was a great experience. It's a large and comfortable vessel that provides protection from the elements and an upper deck to get an even better view of the whales. It's early in the season, but we were lucky enough to…
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