Best Whale Watching Tours from Brisbane
Are you looking for the best whale watching tour near Brisbane?
Whales can generally be seen off the coast of Queensland near Brisbane from June to November, and taking one of the whale-watching tours from Brisbane is a great way to guarantee a whale sighting.
August is the best month for whale sightings, though whales can generally be seen near Brisbane from winter until late spring.
While you can try to spot whales on your own from the shore, it is best to get closer on a whale-watching tour.
Those with transportation can join in on whale-watching tours from the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, though the only options for whale-watching boat ride tours leaving from Brisbane are to Moreton Island and Redcliffe.
Keep reading to find the best whale-watching tour near Brisbane.
Redcliffe Whale Watching
Whale Watching Redcliffe Tour
⭐ 5/5 🏷️ Price Range: $120-160 🛒 Buy Now
For those who prefer to be picked up from their Brisbane CBD hotel, check out the Whale Watching Tour from Redcliffe.
You can meet the boat at the jetty or arrange for pick up and drop off directly from Brisbane.
This tour is completely on one boat, which is wheelchair accessible. Note that the bus is not wheelchair accessible.
Lunch is provided on board, and there is a bar with drinks and snacks available for purchase as well as a gift shop on the boat.
Boarding begins around 9 am for a 10 am departure, and the boat returns to shore around 2 pm.
Book your Whale Watching Tour from Redcliffe!
Moreton Island Whale Watching
Whale Watching, Cocktail, and Dolphin View
⭐ Rating 4.5/5 🏷️ Price Range: $159-209 🛒 Buy Now
Opt to see multiple forms of sealife on the Whale Watching, Cocktail, and Dolphin View Tour that departs from Tangalooma Wharf, about 20 minutes northeast of the Brisbane CBD.
This tour includes the 75-minute ferry ride to Moreton Island and a complimentary drink on board.
Once on the island, guests have access to Tangalooma Island Resort for the day.
A 3-hour whale-watching boat tour departs at 12 p.m. Lunch is served during the whale-watching tour.
Once the tour is over, visitors can enjoy more free time on the island or choose to watch the “Discover the World of Dolphins” presentation.
At the end of the day, enjoy a cocktail or a mocktail and watch the sunset before heading back to Brisbane on the ferry.
Tangalooma Day Trip with Whale Watch Cruise
⭐ 4.7/5 🏷️ Price Range: $105-145 🛒 Buy Now
Choose from a 7:30 a.m. or a 10 a.m. departure to Moreton Island on the Tangalooma Day Trip with Whale Watch Cruise.
Make your own way to the Tangalooma Wharf, approximately 20 minutes northeast of the Brisbane CBD. Enjoy a complimentary drink on the 75-minute-long ferry ride to Moreton Island.
Each guest receives a day pass to Tangalooma Island Resort, which includes full use of their facilities. Tour members can also enjoy the beach before their 3-hour-long whale-watching cruise.
Whale watching begins at 12, and guests receive lunch onboard. Whale sightings are guaranteed.
Book your Tangalooma Day Trip with Whale Watch Cruise!
More Whale-Watching Tours Near Brisbane
If you don’t mind driving yourself, catching a ride, or using public transportation, there are plenty more options for whale-watching tours near Brisbane.
Sunshine Coast Whale Watching Tours
Whale Watching from Mooloolaba
⭐ 5/5 🏷️ Price Range: $128-148 🛒 Buy Now
A small group tour with no more than 21 passengers, Whale Watching from Mooloolaba is a 3-hour boat tour with great opportunities to spot whales on either side of the boat.
The boat leaves from Wharf Mooloolaba, and guests receive light refreshments and non-alcoholic drinks on board.
This tour is pram-accessible but not wheelchair accessible.
Noosa Whale Watching
⭐ 5/5 🏷️ Price Range: $84-99 🛒 Buy Now
Meet at the Noosa Marina for a 2-hour whale-watching journey.
The Noosa Whale Watching tour is for small groups of up to 12, which allows everyone to better see the whales.
Binoculars are handed out to spot whales and other wildlife.
Swim with the Humpback Whales
⭐ 5/5 🏷️ Price Range: $279 🛒 Buy Now
A maximum of 6 people can swim with the humpback whales on the Sunshine Coast with The Pressure Project.
This 4-hour tour runs from June to October, and leaves from the wharf in Mooloolaba.
Kids need to be at least 10 years old to join in, and those under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.
Another option for swimming with the whales, leaving from The Wharf Mooloolaba, is with Sunreef Mooloolaba.
Kids must be at least 8 years old to join in, and those under 16 need to be with an adult to swim.
Gold Coast Whale Watching Tours
Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise
⭐ 5/5 🏷️ Price Range: $77-88 🛒 Buy Now
Leaving from Main Beach, the Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise offers a faster boat ride for fewer than 50 passengers.
The small boat has 360-degree views to make whale watching easier.
The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, and whale sightings are guaranteed.
Premium Whale-Watching Cruise with Naturalist
⭐ 4/5 🏷️ Price Range: $79-89 🛒 Buy Now
A 2.5-hour-long cruise leaving from Main Beach, the Premium Whale Watching Cruise is run by Sea World Whale Watch.
Whale sightings are guaranteed. This boat has underwater video streaming and an underwater microphone.
Unlike most of the other whale-watching cruises, this tour runs up to 6x a day, so visitors can easily choose the time of day that is best for them.
Swim with Whales
⭐ 5/5 🏷️ Price Range: $379 🛒 Buy Now
Sure, you can spot whales from a boat, but why not swim with them?
This 3.5-hour-long tour allows passengers to swim with whales. All swim and snorkel gear is included.
Only 8 passengers can participate as it is a very small boat. Participants need to be at least 15 years old.
Whale Watching Tours Near Brisbane Wrap-Up
Of course, there are plenty of whale-watching tours near Brisbane, as it is generally easy to spot whales along Queensland’s east coast during the winter months.
For those visiting Brisbane (or anyone who doesn’t want to travel far), whale-watching tours depart from Moreton Island and Redcliffe. The tours to Moreton Island include activities on the island and tend to be longer and more expensive than other whale-watching tours.
Another option is to take a day trip from Brisbane and enjoy whale watching off the coast of the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast. Swimming with whales is an option as well.
Where to Spot Whales Near Brisbane
If you would rather spot whales from the land, Stradbroke Island is a great place to go. Read our Guide to Stradbroke Island for how to get there, where to spot whales, where to eat, and where to stay.
Whale Watching Near Brisbane FAQ
June to October is the best time to spot whales off the coast of Brisbane, with August being the best month as migration is at its peak.
For whale-watching tours from Brisbane, head to Redcliffe and Moreton Island. Those who want to spot whales from the land can go to Stradbroke Island.
Early morning and late afternoon generally have less wind and are the best times of day for whale watching.
More Brisbane Tours
So many amazing tours take place in Brisbane or leave from Brisbane. Check out this list of day tours from Brisbane that includes island tours, mountain tours, wineries, animals, and more.
Brisbane also has a lot of free tours. Free guided tours in Brisbane include neighborhoods, gardens, museums, and government buildings.
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