Experience the power and beauty of the underwater world's most curious creatures.
You'll be spoiled for choice in Hervey Bay with the whale watching cruise options on offer.
Not all cruises are created the same though, so we've broken down all the information you need to know, including price, tour length and extra bonuses so you can have the best time on the water possible.
To make it that much easier to decide, we've also picked out a few of our favourite cruises for you to consider.
Our top picks:
Best for budgets and families: Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise, Pacific Whale Foundation from Viator
Highlights:
- Cost: $79 per adult
- Duration: 3 hours
- Available: Daily at 7am, 11am and 2.30pm
- Includes an onboard junior naturalist program and kids' activity books
- Drinks and snacks included
Best all-rounder: Hervey Bay Whale Swim and Watch, Dive Hervey Bay from Viator
Highlights:
- Cost: $150 per person
- Duration: 5 hours
- Available: Daily at 7.30am and 1.30pm
- Option to snorkel with whales
- Morning tea included
- Small group tour
- Guaranteed whale sightings
Best for time on the water: Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise, Blue Dolphin Tours from RedBalloon
Highlights:
- Cost: $160
- Duration: 8 hours
- Available on: Daily from 7.30am (during the season)
- Get close to the whales on the water platform (weather permitting)
- Morning and afternoon tea plus a buffet lunch included
Best for guaranteed sightings: Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise, Freedom Whale Watch from Viator
Highlights:
- Cost: $100 per person
- Duration: 6 hours
- Available: Daily at 9.30am
- Guaranteed sightings or get a free return tour (from 1 August to 20 October)
- Expert guide provides information on whale behaviour
- Includes morning and afternoon tea plus a buffet lunch
When is whale watching season in Hervey Bay?
The season runs from July to November with tours starting mid-July and ending at the end of October.
Whales can still be seen in November but the best time to spot whales is from early August until late September.
Whale watching season in Hervey Bay is known for spotting humpback whales on their migration from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef.
Compare whale watching companies and cruise options
We look at the aforementioned companies, as well as a few others, and their cruises to help you decide which to book.
| Cruise company | Cruise name | Duration | Departs (during the season) | Extras/inclusions | Price (from) | Where can I book? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Dolphin Tours | Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise | 8 hours | Daily at 7.30am | Morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, complimentary beverage, return transfers | $160 | |
| Freedom Whale Watch | Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise for 2 | 7.5 hours | Daily at 9.30am | Morning tea, buffet lunch, fruit and cheese platters, coffee, tea and water | $280 | RedBalloon |
| Freedom Whale Watch | Whale Watching Cruise including Buffet Lunch | 6.5 hours | Daily at 9.30am | Gourmet morning tea, cheese and fruit platters, tropical buffet lunch | $140 | Gift It Now |
| Freedom Whale Watch | Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise | 6 hours | Daily at 9.30am | Morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, guaranteed sightings or free return tour | $100 | Viator |
| Pacific Whale Foundation | Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks and Drinks (Afternoon) | 3 hours | Daily at 7am, 11am and 2.30pm | Complimentary snacks and soft drinks | $79 | |
| Tasman Venture | Hervey Bay Afternoon Whale Watch Cruise | 4 hours | Daily at 1.30pm | Afternoon tea, return transfers, guaranteed whale sightings or get a free return ticket | $115 | |
| Tasman Venture | Fraser Island National Park Tour with Whale Watching | 9 hours | Daily at 7.30am | Morning and afternoon tea, buffet lunch, return transfers, guided walks, snorkelling equipment and kayaks | $195 | RedBalloon |
| Spirit of Hervey Bay | Half Day Whale Watch Cruise | 4 hours | Daily at 8.30am and 1.30pm | Morning or afternoon tea, return transfers, kids' activities | $100 | Viator |
| Spirit of Hervey Bay | Whale Watch and Fraser Island Tour with Resort Buffet Lunch | Fraser Island tour: 11 hours Whale watching tour: 4 hours | Daily at 8.30am (Fraser Island tour) and 1.30pm (whale watching only) | Morning and afternoon tea, return transfers, full-day guided tour of Fraser Island, hot and cold buffet resort lunch | $290 | Gift It Now |
| Hervey Bay Whale Watch | Whale Watch Cruise and Fraser Island 1 Day Package | 10 hours | Daily at 7am | Light breakfast and morning tea, lunch at a resort, return transfers | $145 | Gift It Now |
| Dive Hervey Bay | Hervey Bay Whale Swim and Watch | 5 hours | Daily at 7.30am and 1.30pm | Snorkelling gear, wetsuits, return transfers, morning tea | $150 | Viator |
| Boat Club Adventure Cruises | Whale Watch Half-Day | 4 hours | Daily at 7.30am and 1.30pm | Morning or afternoon tea, return transfers | $95 | Viator |
| Whalesong Cruises | Morning or Afternoon Whale Watching Tour on the MV Whalesong | 4.5 hours | Daily at 8am and 2pm | Morning or afternoon tea, return transfers | $115 | Viator |
Whale watching deals in Hervey Bay
RedBalloon
2-for-1 experiences and activities
Buy one get one free on a range of experiences across Australia. Offers change regularly, but often include sightseeing cruises, abseiling, dining, hot air ballooning, quadbiking, jet boating, scenic flights, helicopter rides, flying lessons, classic car hire, driving and rally car experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
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Adrenaline
Up to 40% off driving experiences
Valid on select dates and experiences like off-road racing, karting, classic car hire, defensive driving, rally driving, V8 experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
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