Review: Is Whale Watching on the Gold Coast Worth it?

Are you planning a trip to the Gold Coast and wondering if whale watching is worth adding to your itinerary? Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate along Queensland’s coastline, and the Gold Coast is one of the best places to see them up close.

For first-timers, it can be hard to know when to go, and do the expectations match the reality. You might be asking: Will I actually see whales? Is it better to book a morning or afternoon trip? How rough is the water?

After experiencing a Gold Coast whale watching cruise myself, I’ve put together this complete guide and honest review. I’ll share what you can expect on the day, the best time of year to go, and my thoughts on whether it’s truly worth it. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect before stepping onboard.

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My Review of our Gold Coast Whale Watching Tour

Overall, I’d say the “Spirit of Gold Coast” Whale Watching Tours was well worth the experience. While the crowds on the boat did make it a little difficult to move around at times, the professionalism of the crew, the engaging commentary, and the abundance of whale sightings made it a fantastic day out on the water.

My main tip would be to try and book outside of peak times like weekends or school holidays, or even at the start or end of the whale watching season, when the crowds are lighter.

➡  Find Whale Watching Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

This way, you’ll have a bit more space on the boat to enjoy what is truly one of the best wildlife experiences in Queensland.

With that said, there are some good and bad sides to any tour:

✅ Pros

• Close to Brisbane – Easy to drive down for a half-day trip without needing overnight stays.
• High chance of sightings – Even early in the season (July), we saw plenty of whales.
• Great commentary – Informative guides share fascinating facts and keep you engaged.
• Good conditions – Flat waters and sunny skies made for a smooth, enjoyable ride.
• Bucket-list experience – Seeing humpback whales up close is unforgettable.

❌ Cons

• Crowded boats – Too many people on board, making it hard to move for the best view.
• Limited space – Once you pick a spot, you’re usually stuck there for the trip.
• Photography challenges – The rocking boat and quick whale movements make capturing good photos tricky.
• Peak time issues – Weekends and school holidays mean bigger crowds and less flexibility.

What can you Expect on tour?

Living in Brisbane gives us the flexibility to make a quick trip down to the Gold Coast for experiences like whale watching, without needing to plan a long getaway.

On this occasion, we chose to go with “Spirit of Gold Coast” Whale Watching Tours, one of the most popular operators in the region.

How often do the tours run

They run both morning and afternoon cruises, and from what I could tell, there isn’t a huge difference between them aside from the time of day. We booked our tour at the start of July, which isn’t considered peak season, yet we still had no trouble spotting whales.

➡  Find Whale Watching Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

The crew did an excellent job of tracking their movements and knowing where they would surface, which made for an exciting and memorable day on the water.

What was the weather like

Our weather was perfect with clear sunny skies and calm, flat waters, making the conditions even more enjoyable. I had taken some sea sickness tablets as a precaution, but honestly, I don’t think they were necessary that day.

The tour runs for about four hours in total, which includes check-in, cruising out to find the whales, roughly 1.5 hours of actual whale encounters, and the return journey.

Are the boats Crowded?

The only real downside was the number of people on board. The boat was PACKED, and once you found a spot along the railing, you pretty much had to stay there for the duration.

This meant that if a whale appeared on the opposite side, it wasn’t easy to move around and reposition yourself. Luckily for us, most of the whale activity happened to be on our side of the boat.

But, there were still times when people were crowding and pushing into us, to get a better view.

Facilities on board

Light snacks, tea, and coffee were included on board, and there was also the option to purchase professional photos taken by the crew.

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Our Whale Watching

For the most part you just be sitting there and waiting for the whales to pass the boat.

The Whale tour boats make an effort to manoeuvre the boat into it’s path and let the whale glide past you. There might be seats around, but you’ll probably be standing up to get the best view.

Throughout the tour, there was constant live commentary from the guides. This involves sharing insights about humpback whales, pointing out where to look, about whale behaviour, migration patterns, and conservation efforts.

This all added to the fascinating experience.

You may also get to participate in activities like listening to the whales’ songs through a hydrophone or spotting other marine wildlife such as dolphins, seals, or even sharks.

Common Whale behaviours!

Some of the common terms or phrases the Guides commentary will say include:

➡  Find Whale Watching Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

• “breaching,” where a whale propels its body out of the water in a spectacular leap.
• “Spyhopping” is another term used when a whale vertically pokes its head out of the water for several minutes, likely to take a look around and gauge its surroundings.
• “Lobtailing” or “fluking” involves the whale lifting its tail out of the water and then bringing it down onto the surface with a loud slap, possibly to communicate with other whales or stun prey.
• “Logging” refers to when whales float passively at the water’s surface, resembling a log, which is often a sign of rest.
• And Lastly, a “pod” describes a group of whales traveling together, which can range from a small family group to larger, more temporary gatherings for feeding or mating.

Safety on the Boat

Each Tour has their own Safety regulations, which could include, where you can be positioned on the boat, especially when crossing bars, or when the winds or weather have increased the waves.

Staff will discuss this on the day and generally go through their procedure when first departing on the boat. This includes where to find the life jackets, or how to use them.

Apart from that, safety comes in other aspects in regards to the whales. Depending on the area, there are rules not allowing tours to come within 100 metres of a whale, or maybe staying at least 150 metres from mother whales with calves.

And while there are a few tours that allow you to jump into the water, most of them will have you staying on the boat.

How Much do the Tours Cost?

Whale watching tours on the Gold Coast are generally very affordable, with most half-day trips costing between $70 and $120 AUD per person.

➡  Find Whale Watching Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

While most companies advertise the tour length as around 2.5 hours, once you factor in check-in, boarding, and cruising to the whale-watching area, you can expect the overall experience to take closer to 4 hours.

Prices can vary slightly depending on the operator and how much time they choose to spend out on the water. Some tours are more budget-friendly and straightforward, while others may include extras like food packages or professional photography.

For those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, there are even swimming with whales experiences, usually priced at around $300 AUD per person. This unique option allows you to get in the water and see the giants of the sea up close. Although, it’s only for those who can brave the ocean chilly waters, especially early in the season!

Photo Tips, What to bring & Seasickness!

My Photography Tips

For those interested in capturing their own memories, I found photography a bit tricky due to the rocking of the boat and how quickly the whales would surface.

If you’re bringing a camera, I’d recommend switching to sports mode which will take shots while the shutter is down. Even more so, using back-button focus, and making sure you’ve got some zoom capability, it really helps in keeping your shots sharp and well-framed.

But, if all else fails, don’t dismiss the power of Video. While Photo’s are easier to share around, whale habits can move quick and easy to miss for a photo. Plus, while we had a GoPro and my zoom lens, I felt the Gopro video was a little too far away to capture everything.

Otherwise, phones can obviously take some good photo’s and videos up close, without “optical” zoom capabilities, they can be a little blurry.

What should you bring with you?

When it comes to gear, I suggest keep it simple for Whale Watching tours. But, a high priority would be a jumper and warm clothing, including long pants and closed in shoes.

Know this is the winter period in Queensland and depending on the day, the boat is open to the elements and can be really cold.

Apart from that, you have the sickness medication, plus a hat and sunscreen could help. While it is winter, Queensland can still have a warm sun and there isn’t a lot of shade on the boat.

Obviously there are areas inside the boat, but seeing the whales is definitely a better experience outside!

Is seasickness a concern?

In the scheme of things, nobody wants to talk about sea sickness and others think that it’s never going to happen to them. Your only out on the water for a couple of hours, so what harm can it do.

➡  Find Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

Well I’m hear to tell you that if your unsure how your going to go, find whatever preventative measures you can. This includes:

• Taking motion sickness medication before the tour (I sometimes start taking it the night before)
• Avoiding heavy meals or alcohol before the tour
• Choosing a larger vessel with more stability
• Ginger Beer drinks is also said to help

Preventative’s are always better than a cure, so if you get sick, it’s already too late and it will ruin your entire tour.

When’s the best time to see Whales?

Whale Watching Tours are run typically from June to November along the Queensland coast. But while the start of end of the season has the biggest benefits with crowds, I prefer to go somewhere in the middle to increase whale numbers.

Also take into account that the whales are in the area to give birth. So taking tours at the start of the season means there is even less of a chance to see the babies.

On the other hand, it’s said that whales tend to be more active with breaches and surface behaviours before giving birth. This increased activity could be attributed to the whales’ energetic state prior to the exhausting birthing process.

Afterward giving birth, mother whales and their new-born calves tend to be less active in terms of high-energy behaviours like breaching, as the calves are learning to swim and the mothers are conserving energy for nurturing.

This doesn’t mean post-birth sightings lack excitement! Observing the tender interaction between mother and calf is equally mesmerizing and offers a different kind of spectacle.

With that said, NONE of the whale watching tours “guarantee” to see any whales, but some with provide an opportunity to join on another day!

More Info about Whales!

Why do Whales migrate?

Primarily, the migration is driven by the search for warmer waters to breed and give birth. During the colder months, the waters in the Antarctic become too chilly for the young calves, pushing the whales towards the tropical and subtropical waters of Queensland.

The warmer seas not only provide a safer environment for the new-borns but also offer abundant food resources for the mothers to nourish their calves. This annual pilgrimage is not just a survival instinct but a spectacular display of nature’s rhythm.

What types of whales will you see?

Most of all your going to encounter the Humpback Whale, and sometimes the Southern Right Whales. Occasionally there could be Minke Whales, but I’ve seen more tours offering that experience from Cairns in North Queensland.

Humpback Whales are known for their distinctive body shape with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. They usually range from 14 to 18 metres in length and can weigh up to 45 tonne.

Southern Right Whales, on the other hand, are slightly larger with a smoother head shape and no dorsal fin. They can grow up to 18-20 metres in length and weight around 80 tonne.

Where else can you see Whales in Queensland?

This is probably not the complete list, but I know about Whale Watching tours from:

• Redcliffe near Brisbane,
• Mooloolaba & Noosa on the Sunshine Coast,
• The Gold Coast,
• but, Hervey Bay has been running the longest and the most popular.

Over the years, I have completed Whale Watching tours from the four locations (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane & Hervey Bay). In comparison, I think there is very little difference between each of the tours.

➡  Find Tours HERE with GYG, or HERE with Viator.

Honestly, tourists number are higher and I find them more accessible from the South East Queensland cities. However, The Hervey Bay tours spending more time on the water, but come with a higher ticket cost.

Other Gold Coast Areas to Watch out for Whales

Whale watching tours offer the best vantage point out on the water (unless you have your own boat). But, please don’t dismiss lookout points on the Mainland.

There are some walking paths to view points and headlands along the Queensland coast, which are great spots to see whales breaching in the distance. Tumgun Lookout in the Burleigh Heads National Park is one of these on the Gold Coast.

But, we even caught a breaching show from our hotel window early one morning (photo below), so, It always pays to be on the lookout during this time.

Other Gold Coast Activities

If it’s your first time on the Gold Coast, I recommend spending about 5 days touring the entire area. However, if you going to centralise yourself in the main tourist hub, then 3 days in Surfers Paradise should be a nice fit.

What can you do? Well, I have some more suggestions here:

• Jet Ski Safari Tours – Explore the Broadwater and weave through mangroves and sandbars.
• Natural Bridge (Springbrook National Park) – A stunning rock arch with a waterfall flowing through it.
• Tamborine Mountain Day Trip – Visit Cedar Creek Falls for swimming and Curtis Falls for rainforest walks. Find wineries, and boutique shops.
• SkyPoint Climb & Observation Deck – Take in panoramic views from the top of the Q1 building, one of the tallest residential towers in the world.

• Jet Boating Rides – High-speed thrills on the Broadwater with spins, slides, and plenty of splashes.
• Glow Worm Night Tours – Guided tours into caves and rainforests to see these magical bioluminescent creatures.
• Theme Parks – Dreamworld, Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, and Wet’n’Wild for family fun and adrenaline rides.
• Surfing Lessons – Learn to surf on the famous Surfers Paradise or Currumbin beaches.
• Purling Brook Falls (Springbrook National Park) – A spectacular 100m waterfall with a circuit walk that takes you through lush rainforest.
• Lamington National Park – Explore ancient rainforests, treetop walks, and waterfalls in this World Heritage-listed park.
• Hot Air Balloon Rides – Watch sunrise over the Gold Coast Hinterland from above.
• Snorkelling & Diving Tours – Discover marine life at Wave Break Island or Cook Island near Coolangatta.

Wrap Up!

Overall, my whale watching tour with Spirit of Gold Coast was a truly memorable experience. We saw plenty of whales, enjoyed calm conditions, and came away with some great memories.

If you’re still in planning mode, for more ideas please check out my other Gold Coast blogs where I share the best things to do, places to stay, and tips to make the most of your coastal getaway.