Top activities in Hervey Bay
Explore Hervey Bay and beyond
Trip Inspiration
Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise
Badge of ExcellenceUrangan, Australia
From USD 87.40
Select Date and Travellers
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Hervey Bay Tours
Attractions
Recommendations
- 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Go whale-watching from Hervey Bay on your choice of a 4-hour or 5.5-hour cruise. Ride the sheltered waters of Platypus Bay in a stable catamaran that offers superior comfort and clear views of the whales. You are likely to also see dolphins, turtles and seabirds, and perhaps even a dingo on the sandy beach at Fraser Island. The tour includes complimentary morning or afternoon tea, and the longer tour includes lunch and tea.
- 4-hour or 5.5-hour whale watching tour from Hervey Bay
- Look for humpback whales and other marine life including dolphins and turtles
- Cruise past the lovely beaches of Fraser Island
- Includes morning or afternoon tea, lunch (if option selected), and hotel pickup and drop-off
What's Included
- Morning tea or afternoon tea
- Live commentary on board
- Free courtesy transfers from Hervey Bay tourist accommodation or Free parking at Marina
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Meeting And Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
- Whale Bay MarinaWhale Bay Marina, Urangan QLD 4655, Australia
Just look for the Big Whale statue on the side of the road.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
We pick up from hotels, motels, resorts, caravan parks and backpacker hostels.
What To Expect
Make your way to the departure dock at Hervey Bay to board the catamaran for your 4-hour or 5.5-hour cruise.
Head out into the calm waters of Platypus Bay and take in the lovely scenery of Fraser Island’s white-sand beaches. Continue to the sites where the whales are most often spotted during their annual migration along Australia's coast. When you encounter the whales, you might witness spectacular breaches, curious spy hops and loud tail slaps as the whales play and feed.
Your boat is equipped with six levels of spacious viewing decks, underwater viewing rooms that allow you to catch the action below the waterline, a waterline viewing platform, and a hydrophone that captures the sound of the whale vocalizations. Learn about whale behavior and other fascinating facts from the informative guide. You can also nibble on morning or afternoon tea, and fuel up with the lunch that is provided on the longer tour.
When your boat returns to the dock at the end of your tour, receive a complimentary souvenir DVD to take home.
Head out into the calm waters of Platypus Bay and take in the lovely scenery of Fraser Island’s white-sand beaches. Continue to the sites where the whales are most often spotted during their annual migration along Australia's coast. When you encounter the whales, you might witness spectacular breaches, curious spy hops and loud tail slaps as the whales play and feed.
Your boat is equipped with six levels of spacious viewing decks, underwater viewing rooms that allow you to catch the action below the waterline, a waterline viewing platform, and a hydrophone that captures the sound of the whale vocalizations. Learn about whale behavior and other fascinating facts from the informative guide. You can also nibble on morning or afternoon tea, and fuel up with the lunch that is provided on the longer tour.
When your boat returns to the dock at the end of your tour, receive a complimentary souvenir DVD to take home.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travellers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travellers
Operated by Spirit of Hervey Bay
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveller Photos
See more
Featured review
Jody_B
This was an amazing adventure that I would recommend to everyone. The crew onboard were friendly and helpful. The captain of the boat and his staff were extremely informative and gave us the best experience ever. Thank you so much.
Reviews
5.0
294 reviews
Reviews by Viator travellers.
Showing 1-10 of 294 reviews
Taking photos
kate_B, Oct 2022
Seeing the whales and taking photos of them. It was a little cold. If I go again I’ll probably go in the middle of the season to see more whales up close.
An amazing, breathtaking experience
Michelle_A, Oct 2022
Watching the mother humpback whales swimming & playing happily with their calves was beautiful. Then seeing many of the humpbacks making spectacular breaches out of the water.
Great- only if you race on to get a good spot first.
Henry_G, Oct 2022
We perched ourselves downstairs on a table when we first got on the boat as we had 3 kids with us and didnt want them out in the wind while driving out. Unfortunately this meant that we failed to see the whales from a good position and found that we were constantly moving between the decks preying that someone would have moved from the front of the boat so that we could see. Even when there was a whale on the left or the right the driver never failed to move the boat so that the front was facing the whales leaving anyone on the side again having to try and look over 50 other heads. I was pretty disappointed by that and was unsure as to why they felt only the people who has nabbed seats at the very front deserved to see.
You can also not see anything in the underwater windows so if that is a decider between choosing boats to cruise with don't let it be.
The crew were nice and the boat was clean and well run.
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Thanks Henry for taking the time to review your whale watching experience on the Spirit of Hervey Bay. Sorry we didn't meet your expectations. There is no allocated seating and people tend to move around the different levels during the day. The underwater windows are great if the whales are right beside the boat and you can eyeball them...they just provide another perspective.
A trip I would recommend value for money
Diane_C, Sept 2022
Seeing the whales breach near the boat was fantastic The crew were excellent and the commentary was very informative.
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Thanks Diane for your 5 star review. We love giving our passengers great experiences with our whales in Hervey Bay.
Bucket List Experience
Glenys_M, Sept 2022
This was a bucket list experience that ticked all boxes. We saw lots of whales and lots of activity - breaching, tail and fin slapping, and a mother whale bobbing up to see what was happening. Some sightings were very close as the whales swam towards us, even diving under us!! There were pods of dolphins playing among the whales too. The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. The catamaran had many great spaces to view the action.
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Dolphins and whales - very special!! Thanks heaps for your review and thanks for choosing the Spirit of Hervey Bay to fulfill one of bucket list experiences. 🐋👍😊💕
Well we went to see...
Rob_B, Sept 2022
Well we went to see whales , wow there must of been 10-12 pods ,
We experienced feeding , playing and some of the best breaches you will ever see .
Great communication from the bridge .
It this is on your bucket list you must do
Rob 🙋♂️
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Woo hoo...lots of great memories to share. Bet you got some good photos? Thanks heaps for your 5 star review Rob. 🐋👀💕
Seeing quite a few...
Joanna_P, Sept 2022
Seeing quite a few whales. Watching the babies and the unusual tail on one of the calves. Informative commentary.
Response from Host, Sept 2022
Thanks Joanna for your 5 star review. Pleased you had a great trip on Spirit of Hervey Bay and saw mums and calves.
A "bucket list" experience!
PAWEL_R, Sept 2022
Excellent commentary from a crew member who is a tour guide as well as a scientist on whales! A "bucket list" experience!
Response from Host, Sept 2022
So pleased we were able to fulfill one of your 'bucket list' experiences. I'm sure you took away plenty of great memories, of our whales in Hervey Bay. Thanks heaps for your 5 star review.
Magical whale of a time
Tim_L, Aug 2022
A magical experience that exceeded our expectations. Very knowledgeable and friendly crew. Can’t believe how close the whales came to the boat. Also Great courtesy bus made it effortless. Arrived in time . Hassle free
Fantastic day
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thanks so much Tim for your 5 star review. So pleased we could give you a fantastic, hassle free day....exactly what you want when you are on holiday. 👌👍✔
Great sunny day with plenty of whales.
Isabelle_B, Aug 2022
We saw plenty of whales! At a certain moment 2 whales very close to the boat and we were lucky that at another place at the sea a whale did some turn-over jumps: really exciting to see! The boat also navigates close to the Fraser islands so you can see the shores. The trip met all our expectations.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thanks Isabelle for your great review. Turn-over jumps are called breaches. As you say it is really spectacular to see such a large creature hoist itself out of the water like that. 🐳🐋
...
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise
294
4 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
USD 87.40
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
© 1997-2023 Viator, Inc.