Whale Watch Queensland
ProHighlights
- Group bookings for 10 or more adults on a 50-seat purpose-built whale vessel
- Marine scientists explain whale behaviour live during every tour
- Live underwater camera and hydrophone let guests see and hear below the surface
About Whale Watch Queensland
Whale Watch Queensland runs humpback tours from Surfers Paradise on Whale Watch 1, a 16-metre vessel with 50 seats designed for quiet, respectful time around the animals. Tours run from June, while the humpback migration passes the Gold Coast. Each trip starts on the calm Broadwater, where the crew look out for bottlenose dolphins and seabirds. The boat then moves offshore to the sighting grounds, and a marine mammal specialist explains what the whales are doing moment by moment. The vessel carries a live underwater camera feed and a hydrophone, so guests can watch and listen below the surface from their seats. A photographer on board captures the day, and the images can be downloaded for free. Groups of 10 or more adults are handled as group bookings, with a 50% deposit when booking and the balance due 14 days before departure. A group that has to cancel is offered another date or a voucher. Standard tours take around two to three hours and leave at 9am and 1.30pm, and VIP departures are also available. Several pick-up points are used, including Appel Park at Surfers Paradise, Marina Park at the Spit and the Broadwater Parklands at Southport. The lifetime sighting guarantee means a tour with no humpbacks earns a free return ticket that can be passed on. Tours are family friendly, though wheelchairs and walking frames cannot be accommodated on board. Send an enquiry with your numbers and preferred date.
Inclusions & amenities
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What's Included
Frequently asked questions
How do group bookings work?
Bookings of 10 or more adults count as a group. A 50% deposit is due at booking, and the rest must be paid 14 days before the tour departs.
What happens if we see no whales?
You receive a return voucher with no expiry date. It can be used on a later tour or passed on to family and friends, though there are no cash refunds.
Where do we board and when?
The standard tour leaves at 9am and 1.30pm. Pick-up points include Appel Park in Surfers Paradise, Marina Park at the Spit and the Broadwater Parklands in Southport, so check your confirmation.
Can children come along?
Yes, tours are family friendly and child rates cover ages 4 to 15. Open-ocean trips are not recommended for very young children, and under-16s need a parent or guardian.
What should we bring on the tour?
Dress in layers with a warm, waterproof jacket, plus sunglasses, a hat and a camera. Bring motion sickness medication if needed, as the crew cannot supply it.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Annette
4 months ago
We had a great day - lucky that we saw about 20 whales and some came very close to the boat. It was a choppy sea and the captain did really well in reducing the number people feeling a bit off on the trip out. Once we sa…
Ryan Escarpe
2 years ago
A unique whale watching experience. Very educational, as you learn about whale migration and learn to respect their space. The crew were very friendly and knowledgeable about whales, they know where to look and spot a wh…
Shaun Hellyer
3 years ago
Best experience ever! The staff were so friendly, knowledgeable and went out of their way to make the trip so relaxing and enjoyable. The boat was comfortable and allowed you to get up close to the whales. Would highly…
Sevri Sovian
3 years ago
We had such an amazing experience with the team! (Such a hidden gem of the Gold Coast!) The boat was new and sooo comfortable. The amount of space on the boat meant we could walk around quickly once we saw a whale, and t…
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