Whales are magnificent to watch and seeing them in their natural environment is something to treasure. During whale-watching season Hervey Bay is regarded as one of the best places to see a Humpback Whale in Australia. Some tour operators even offer you a free trip if you don’t spot any throughout the day.
Each year thousands of Humpback Whales migrate from the Antarctic waters to the warmer water of the tropics for calving. Hervey Bay is unique as its the resting point on the humpback whale migration route for the mothers and calves.
The bay is sheltered by Fraser Island and the calm water is perfect for the young to learn the basics of survival from their mothers.
This article may contain compensated links. Please read my disclaimer policy for more info.
When is the best time for whale watching in Hervey Bay
The whale watching season Hervey Bay begins in mid-July and lasts until mid-November. The best time whale watching experiences are between August and late September.
To mark the start of Hervey Bay whale season the town hosts an annual festival called Hervey Bay Ocean Festival. One of the main events at the whale festival Hervey Bay is Paddle out for whales.
People paddle out in a kayak and take part in a minute’s silence to reflect on the importance of these mammals and the ocean. Anyone can participate, but you have to register in advance.
The festival is held in the Great Sandy Straits Hervey Bay Marina, and the first event is always the Blessing of the Fleet. This is a centuries-old tradition which ensures a safe and prosperous season to all vessels
There’s also a street carnival which is a fabulous procession of illuminated floats that represent the whale’s migration. With a free concert and vast array of market stalls, live entertainment and food stalls, its well worth coinciding your whale watching Hervey Bay Australian trip with this event.
Types of Whales at Hervey Bay
The Humpback whale is the most common to spot in Hervey Bay, but it is also possible to see other members of the species.
If you’re lucky, you may spot a very special male humpback known as a Migaloo whale. Unlike its relatives, the migaloo whale is entirely white and so rare its thought that there are only 3 or 4 of them in the world. The world Migaloo means white fella in some aboriginal languages, hence the English name Migaloo white whale.
By migrating the long distance from the Antarctic to Australia, mothers can give birth in the warmer water around Hervey Bay Queensland. They travel alongside the male humpback whales for approximately 5000km on their migration, which is one of the longest journeys of any mammal.
Where is Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia?
Hervey Bay is just a 3 and half hour drive north of Brisbane. For details on how to get to Hervey Bay click here.
Whale Watching Tours Hervey Bay
While you can spot whales from the coast, the best whale watching is from the middle of the bay itself.
The only way to get there during the whale season, Hervey Bay is by taking a tour.
There are several whale watching tours from Hervey Bay, ranging from a couple of hours to a full day trip.
Hervey Bay Tours -Which one to choose?
There are several things to consider when booking a whale-watching cruise,
how many hours do you want to spend at sea?
Do you want to go on a big vessel or a smaller boat?
Would you prefer to be in a large or small group?
Do you want to go on a motorised boat or a sailing vessel?
Will you need picking up from your Hervey Bay Hotel?
Blue Dolphin Tours
Peter, the skipper on this boat, has over 27 years experience with marine mammals and there’s not much he doesn’t know about whales. If you’re looking for an intimate whale watching experience, then the blue dolphin whale watching Hervey Bay tour is for you.
Blue Dolphin Tours have won the Best Tourism Whale Encounter Operator award several times, and during the main season, they offer a free cruise if you there’s no whale sightings.
The tour departs at 7.30 am from the Great Sandy Straits Marina and returns at approximately 3.30pm. Peter is incredibly enthusiastic about whales, and you’ll learn a lot about this mammal on the journey into the Bay.
Blue Dolphin is a small catamaran that can carry only 23 passengers, so it’s advisable to book several weeks in advance.
Lunch onboard is delightful and dietary requirements can be catered for if you let them know in advance. There’ss usually a great selection of salads and cheese and you can help yourself to as much as you like. Alcoholic beverages are available to purchase if you wish.
Morning and afternoon tea are also served and there’s always a fantastic selection of cakes to devour. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to enjoy them in the delightful company of a group of whales. Just mind you don’t spill your coffee as the whales will hypnotise you with their gracefulness and presence and then make you jump when they crash part of their body into the water.
The boat carry’s at hydrophone so that you can hear the whales if they’re singing.
Blue Dolphin cruises will also pick you up and drop you off at your hotel if necessary.
Outside of the whale watching season dates Blue Dolphin operates a Fraser Island Sailing Adventure Cruise and Dolphin Watching Hervey Bay. This trip gives you the chance to swim off the west coast of Fraser Island before returning to Hervey Bay.
Spirit of Hervey Bay Cruises
The Spirit of Hervey Bay is the largest vessel that operates Hervey Bay whale watching tours. The fast catamaran can carry up to 230 people although numbers are kept to 100, so there’s plenty of room on the vessel.
There are five viewing decks, one of which is underwater and another is on the waterline. There’s also a hydrophone on board so you can hear the whales sing and LCD screens which relay live action.
If you’re travelling with kids, this is one of the best Hervey Bay tour operators. There are kids activities onboard such as colouring, and there’s a souvenir shop. You’ll also receive a free whale watching DVD as a gift.
Tours depart twice a day from whale Bay Marina and last for 4 and a half hours. The morning trip leaves at 8.30am and arrives back at 1 pm. The afternoon trip leaves at 1.30pm and usually returns at 5.30pm.
Morning or afternoon tea is provided onboard and its served with a delicious range of cakes.
Pickups from your Hervey Bay accommodation can be arranged, and if there are no whale sightings, you’ll get a refund.
Whalesong Hervey Bay Tours
Whalesong cruises are a well-established company who Eco Accredited. The vessel is large enough to carry 100 passengers, but the maximum group size for this tour is 60. There’s plenty of space onboard and the boat is also wheelchair accessible.
During the main whale-watching Queensland season they run two tours a day. The morning trip last for 5 hours. It departs at 8 am and returns at 1 pm. The afternoon trip is shorter and last for 4 hours, but it does mean that you’ll get to watch the sunset. This trip departs at 2 pm and returns around 6 pm.
Morning tea includes a large platter of fruit and a tempting range of cakes. If you book the morning cruise, a tasty lunch is also included, which is usually a selection of cold meats, salads and fresh bread. Dietary requirements can be catered for so long as you arrange in advance.
The afternoon tour includes a light lunch of freshly made sandwiches. There’s also afternoon tea with a range of cold meats, cheese and crackers to savour.
Drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are available to purchase onboard, and there’s free filtered drinking water throughout the whale watching tour.
There is an informative commentary onboard, and translations are available in German, French, Italian and Spanish.
Whalesong offers cheap whale watching Hervey Bay tours in July when whale sightings are not guaranteed.
There are courtesy pickups from hotels in Hervey Bay, and if you don’t see whales, you’ll receive a free return trip.
Freedom Whale Watch Tour
The Freedom III vessel takes 45 passengers on 3/4 day tours during whale season. The 58-foot catamaran has three levels, one of which is at water level so that you can get as close as possible to the whales.
Freedom whale watch Hervey Bay tours depart at 9.30am and return around 4 pm. Keith the Skipper knows lots about humpback whales, and he’ll share his knowledge throughout the day.
Morning tea is served on route to platypus bay and compromises of homebaked cakes, coffee or hot chocolate. There’s a buffet lunch with a delicious selection of cold meats, salads, fresh bread and hot chicken pieces. Hopefully, you can enjoy lunch while being entertained by a pod of whales.
There’s also a cheese and fruit platter served with afternoon tea.
If you’re travelling with children, there are activities for them to enjoy, such as colouring and if they need sleep, the vessel does have a few beds inside. Freedom whale watch tours offer an excellent family rate ticket for two adults and up to 3 children.
The vessel has a hydrophone so you can listen to all the whale noises and there’s free wifi onboard.
A complimentary shuttle is available if you need transport to and from your Hervey Bay camping site or hotel.
Hervey Bay Whale Swim and Watch
Hervey Bay Whale Swim and Watch is operated by Hervey Bay Dive Centre and its the only operator to off the unique opportunity to swim with whales, Hervey Bay. A swim is not guaranteed as there are strict rules to protect the whales but if a suitable pod is sighted it a life-changing experience.
The main focus of this tour is to swim with whales, so this boat usually takes around 12 passengers. You are guaranteed whale sightings as well, and the staff really care about your experience. They’ll go out of their way to ensure that this is a trip of a lifetime.
You do have to be of moderate fitness to participate in this tour, and the vessel is not suitable for wheelchair users.
All equipment for swimming with the humpback whales is provided, but you do need to take a towel and your swimmers.
Tea, coffee and snacks are served on board and lunch are also served.
What to expect on whale watching tours Hervey Bay
Humpbacks are one of the most acrobatic whales and if your lucky you’ll experience them breaching, slapping their tails and fins and possibly up-close encounters if they swim under the vessel.
By law, boats have to turn their engines off within 300 metres of a whale, so it’s up to the whales if they want to swim by so can experience a real close up encounter. Thankfully most whales are curious creatures, and they often like to check boats out so there a good chance that they’ll get quite close
Whale Song Hervey Bay
When the engines on a boat are turned off, you can occasionally hear a whale singing. Most of the Hervey Bay tours carry a hydrophone which is a type of microphone that can be dropped into the ocean to amplify the sound.
A whale song is hard to describe, but it sounds like someone humming with pitches that are quite high and sustained. Humpback whales produce the longest and most varied songs of any mammal in the world. Each sound they produce is known as a sequence and usually lasts for about 15 minutes, but it can be repeated for hours at a time.
Playful Whales
Hervey Bay Humpback whales are often playful, and they’re bound to have you watch in awe as they mesmerise you with their presence.
Sometimes they would just swim by other times they’ll give you a wave and say hello.
Playful gestures by whales at Hervey Bay often include the animals showing off by slapping their tails and fins against the water. They also love to roll around in the water and display their magnificent black and white shades.
If they’re feeling energetic, they can do a half breach or if your really lucky you’ll get to see their whole body as they breach fully out of the water.
Whale behaviour and terminology
Breaching
Breaching is when most of the whale’s body leaves the water. It’s almost like they’re jumping out of the Ocean. No one knows exactly why they do it, but it could be a form of communication. A way of showing off to attract other whales or a warning to other nearby whales.
Lobtailing
This is when the whale lifts its tail high out of the water and then slaps it back hard into the water. The action is very quick and creates a large splash.
Fin Slapping
This is similar to lobtailing, except the pectoral fin is used to slap against the water.
Why do humpback whales slap their fins and tails on the water?
Recent studies have shown that whales slap their fins and tails as a way of communicating with other whales. The bigger the slap, the further the distance of communication.
Spy-hopping
When a whale lifts its head and part of the upper body out of the water it’s known as spy-hopping. It’s thought that they do this to take a look around above the water. Perhaps they’re seeing if there are any humans to entertain.
Blow
When whales surface to take a breath, they blow out water vapour, air and mucus. Unlike land mammals who breathe unconsciously, whales have to actively decide when to breathe. They take in air through their nostrils and blowholes as they can’t breathe through their mouths.
Tail Throw
This is both an energetic and violent action. The whale lifts its tail and lower body out of the water and swings it back down with an almighty crash. This behaviour is often seen during the mating season and is considered to be a warning to other competitors.
Mugging
Mugging is when a whale swims up to, underneath or around a boat. This can last for anything from a few minutes to several hours.
The law states that any vessel, such as a boat, kayak, surfboard or dingy must keep a distance of 100 metres from a whale and 300m from a calf. If a whale chooses to approach you, you then have to wait until it decides to move on, which is why its called a mugging.
Things to note about whale watching at Hervey Bay
The main thing required is patience. The ocean is not a zoo, and it can take considerable time to spot any whales. You do, of course, need a bit of luck too.
To avoid disappointment in leaving the harbour don’t expect to see lots of whales on entering the bay. For sure you’ll see some in the distance, but the reality is that by the time the boat gets close they’ve moved on.
It’s best to think of the day as a sailing trip. The bay is beautiful as you can see from this aerial shot that I took on my way to Lady Elliott Island.
Most tour operators sail along the coastline of Fraser Island, which provides a stunning backdrop for your whale watching experience. If patience is not your strongest quality or you have children, it may be worth considering a half-day trip.
How to get to Hervey Bay
Flights: Daily flights are available by Qantas from Brisbane while Virgin operates a similar service from Sydney.
Rail: The Spirit of Queensland operates a service from Brisbane to Cairns on most days of the week. You should depart the train at Maryborough West and catch the connecting bus to Hervey Bay. Tickets are obtainable from Queensland Rail, and you book them in advance online.
Bus: Both Greyhound and Premier Motor Service have several services a day from various cities along the coast to Hervey Bay.
Car: The easiest way to get to Hervey Bay is by car. Car hire and petrol are both relatively cheap in Australia and cars can be hired in most major cities and airports. Hervey Bay is just off the Bruce Highway and is well signposted.
Accommodation Hervey Bay QLD, Australia
There is an array of accommodation to suit all budgets in Hervey Bay. Whale watching tours depart from Great Sand Straits Marina, and the closest hotel is the Mantra Hervey Bay.
What to do in Hervey Bay
Why not combine your Whale watching experience with a Fraser Island day trip from Hervey Bay.
Fraser Island is a Unesco World Heritage site, and it’s the largest sand island in the world. Its stunning coastline can be seen from most Hervey Bay Whale watching tours, and it has some beautiful beaches. It’s one of the few places in Australia that you can spot Dingos and its one of Queensland’s landmarks not to miss.
Fraser Island Tours depart daily from Hervey Bay, and most operators will pick up and drop off from your accommodation.
See the Great Barrier Reef at Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island is one of Australia’s hidden gems. It’s part of the Marine National Park Green Zone and one of Australias World Heritage Areas.
The small island is at the southernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s surrounded by a coral reef. The only way to reach the island is on a small carrier plane, and trips do depart from Hervey Bay as well as Brisbane.
It’s only a short flight to get there, and the scenery is stunning from the air, and you can even see the whales as the breach from the ocean.
The island has ultra-clear water, and it’s known for having some the best visibility on the Great Barrier Reef. A day spent here will be filled with snorkelling activities or diving adventures. There are activities for all members of the family and to suit all levels of ability.
With a bit of luck, you can swim alongside Manta Rays, turtles and possibly whales. There’s also an education centre to explore where you can learn about preserving the reef for generations to come.
What to Pack for Whale Watching Hervey Bay Season
Camera
Some say that seeing whales is a life-changing event and although that may seem a little over the top, I can guarantee that seeing such magnificent animals so close up will have a profound effect on you. You’ll be mesmerised by their gracefulness yet taken aback by how loud the noise is when they crash their tales and fins against the water.
Whatever your reaction you’ll want to capture those unforgettable memories on camera. I would suggest taking a camera with a good zoom lens if you’re going to get good shots of the whales in the distance.
The pictures in this post were all taken by myself on a Panasonic Lumix GH 4. This DSLR camera is mirrorless so its reasonably light in weight and its splash-proof so its perfect for taking on whale watching trips.
If you’re thinking of going swimming with whales, you’ll need an underwater camera. You can read about the best underwater cameras for snorkelling at this link.
Binoculars
Whales can often be spotted in the distance, but by the time the boat gets there they’ve disappeared. To avoid disappointed its always good to take a pair of binoculars. If you want more information about the best binoculars for wildlife, this buying guide will be invaluable. You can also read about the best compact binoculars at this link.
Suntan Lotion
Even in winter, the suns rays are powerful, so it’s important to protect yourself by regularly applying suntan lotion.
Sun Hat with drawstring
As well as regularly applying suntan lotion it’s also advisable to wear a sun hat. This casual sun hat by Muryobao is perfect for sailing as it has a drawstring to prevent it blowing away and a ponytail opening at the back. Inside the hat, there’s a breathable mesh liner, and it rolls up easily so you can keep it in your day bag.
For men this Einskey sun hat is a best seller. It’s easy to pack, and one size fits all. There’s an adjustable drawstring to ensure that the hat fits well and a chin strap to prevent it from blowing away. It can also be worn by women, so why not buy two?
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are always advisable to wear in bright conditions, and the light that reflects off the water makes that even more so when spending time out at sea. If you need a new pair, check out the great range on Amazon.
Water bottle
It’s a well-known fact that our oceans are being destroyed by the amount of plastic that we dispose of. Many of the tour operators provide free water stations so do your bit for the humpback whales and take a refillable water bottle with you.
If you’re travelling this collapsible water bottle is fantastic.
Pin to Pinterest below
If you’ve enjoyed this post or have experienced whale watching yourself, please do leave a comment.
Sign up here and get the latest posts and tips to inspire your travel adventures
Passport and Piano is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Hi, I’m Fiona Berry- I live in Lancashire in the North of England, but my job as an instrumental music examiner takes me all over the world. Travel has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to experience different cultures, make new friends and see extraordinary sights. Through this blog, I share my knowledge and expertise so that my readers have all the resources they require to ensure their travels provide unique and unforgettable memories to destinations that are beyond the ordinary.
Find me on: Web
