"Experience was amazing. The guide was very knowledgeable and we saw a number of Whales. Lots of photo opportunities."
Gold Coast · Main Beach · Coolangatta · Humpback Season June to October
Gold Coast Whale Watching Tours: Big Cruise, Small Boat or Swim
Humpbacks pass the Gold Coast from about June to October. A big cruise brings underwater microphones and a bar; a small boat takes 12; one operator lets strong swimmers into the water with them.
From
US$63
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.6 / 5 680+ Reviews
- 14 Experience Types All Gold Coast Activities
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Whales in Paradise Cruise Includes
Food and hotel pickup are extra; drinks are sold at the bar.
Highlights
- Up to 2.5 hours at sea on a large cruise boat
- Underwater microphones to hear the whales sing
- A live underwater video feed when conditions allow
- A whale sighting guarantee
- Marine naturalist commentary and a bar on board
What's Included
- Up to 2.5-hour whale watching cruise
- 100% whale sighting guarantee
- Guided commentary
- Live underwater video stream *subject to availability
- Live underwater microphones
- Audio-visual presentations
- Fully stocked onboard bar
- Professional photographer
- Informative exhibits and displays
How a Gold Coast Whale Cruise Works
From picking the month to the return to the Broadwater.
Pick Your Month
Book between June and October. July and August bring the most whales heading north; September and October bring mothers with newborn calves on the way south.
Check In Early
Go to the departure point on your voucher. Whales in Paradise asks guests on its Sea World combo to arrive 30 minutes before departure. Bring warm clothes, a hat and sunglasses for the open water.
Head Out to Open Water
Out at sea the crew looks for blows and breaches, and on the bigger boats the hydrophones go in so you can hear the whales sing.
Rebook If the Whales Stay Away
Most cruises on this page promise a free return if no whales are seen. All of them cancel free up to 24 hours ahead (checked October 2026).
Photo Gallery
Humpbacks off the Gold Coast
Breaches, tail slaps and the Surfers Paradise skyline from the water.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Whales in Paradise vs. Kokomo
Two Gold Coast whale trips side by side. Prices as of October 2026.
| Feature | MOST REVIEWED Whales in Paradise Premium Cruise | Kokomo Whale Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From US$63/per person | From US$69 |
| Rating | 4.6/5 (680 reviews) | 4.9/5 (170 reviews) |
| Boat | Large cruise boat with a bar | Boat trip with live commentary |
| Length | Up to 2.5 hours | Not stated |
| Extras | Hydrophones, live underwater video, photographer | Live commentary |
| If No Whales | Sighting guarantee | Free return ticket |
| Not Suitable For | Children under 3 | Pregnant travellers, over-70s |
| Free Cancellation | Up to 24 hours ahead | Up to 24 hours ahead |
| Best For | Families and first-timers | The best-rated cruise |
| Check Availability | View Kokomo |
Other Gold Coast Whale Trips
A yacht cruise, a fast inflatable from Coolangatta and the in-water swim, each with its own season rules.
The Gold Coast Whale Watching Guide
Gold Coast Whale Watching: Which Boat, Which Month
Seven whale trips compared on boat size, guarantee and price, with the season month by month.
For most people the Gold Coast whale cruise to book is Whales in Paradise from Sea World Cruises: up to 2.5 hours on a big boat with underwater microphones, a bar and a sighting guarantee, from US$62 a person as of October 2026, rated 4.6 from 680 reviews. It is the safe choice for families and first-timers. If you would rather share the boat with 11 other people, or be in the water with the whales, the trips below cost more and suit different people.
The season, month by month
Humpbacks travel north past the Gold Coast from late May or June and come back south until October or early November. Sea World Cruises’ FAQ gives its whale season as late May to early November.
- June: the first whales of the season, often females with last year’s calves.
- July and August: the busiest months, when the most whales pass, adult males among them.
- September and October: the southbound return, with mothers and newborn calves.
Book inside those months: whale watching here is seasonal.
The whale trips compared
| Trip (operator) | From | Rating (reviews) | Boat | If no whales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Whale Watching Cruise (Whales in Paradise) | US$62 | 4.6 (680) | Large cruise boat, up to 2.5 hours | Sighting guarantee |
| Gold Coast Whale Experience (Kokomo Cruises) | US$69 | 4.9 (170) | Boat trip, live commentary | Free return ticket |
| Whale Watching with Marine Biologist (Blue Seafaris) | US$87 | 4.8 (51) | Rigid inflatable, 21 seats, Coolangatta | Free next available tour |
| Whale Watching (Cooly Eco Adventures) | US$104 | 5.0 (5) | Small boat, 12 passengers | Free return |
| Whale Escape superyacht (Boattime Yacht Charters) | US$52 | 3.6 (143) | 34-metre yacht, Marine Stadium | Rebooked or refunded in rough seas |
| Whale cruise + Sea World entry (Whales in Paradise) | US$139 | 3.7 (7) | The same cruise, plus a Sea World day | Not stated |
| Swim with Whales (Cooly Eco Adventures) | US$313 | 4.8 (14) | Small boat, 12 passengers, in-water guide | Not stated |
Prices, ratings and review counts as of October 2026; operators change prices, so treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote.
Who each one suits
Pick by how close you want to be:
Families and first-timers
Whales in Paradise
A large boat with a bar, hydrophones and a sighting guarantee. Not for children under 3.
Check dates →The best reviewed
Kokomo Cruises
Live commentary on board and a free return ticket if no whales show. Not for pregnant travellers or over-70s.
See this cruise →Up close, at water level
Blue Seafaris
A fast inflatable from Coolangatta with a marine biologist and a hydrophone. Not for anyone prone to seasickness.
See this trip →Whales in Paradise is the one to book if you are unsure. A large boat rides steadier than a small one, and the underwater microphones and live video feed fill the time between sightings.
Kokomo Cruises has the best rating of the cruises with a long review record. Food and drinks are sold on board.
Blue Seafaris sits low on the water in a rigid inflatable seating 21, which puts you at eye level with the whales but also feels every wave. It sails from Coolangatta in the south and is not suitable for children under 5.
Cooly Eco Adventures caps its boat at 12 passengers. Its listings say tour times are Queensland time, which matters from October to April, when New South Wales, just across the Tweed, is an hour ahead.
Swimming with whales
Cooly Eco Adventures also runs an in-water trip: guests slip into the sea with an in-water guide when the whales allow it, from US$313 as of October 2026. It is not a cruise with a swim added. You must be able to swim unassisted and have snorkelled before; it is not for children under 15 or non-swimmers, and under-18s need an adult with them. Late cancellations, inside 24 hours, are neither refunded nor rescheduled. swimwithwhalesgoldcoast.com covers the swim’s rules and season in depth. See the Swim with Whales trip for the full conditions.
Practical: what to bring and how to choose a day
Seasickness. The open sea can be rough even on a sunny day. A large boat rolls less than a small one, and the inflatable rolls most; Blue Seafaris says its trip is not for anyone prone to seasickness.
Clothes. Every operator asks for warm clothing, a hat and sunglasses; winter mornings at sea are cold even when the beach is warm.
Combining. The Sea World combo adds a park day to the same cruise, and the ticket can be used on the day of the cruise or the next day. See Gold Coast theme park tickets for the other park bundles, or pair a morning cruise with an afternoon jet boat ride.
Guest Reviews
What Recent Guests Say
4.6/5
from 680 verified reviews
"Excellent trip, thoroughly enjoyed it. Now low key obsessed with Humpback Whales. If you think you might be sea sick, even just a little, please accept the anti-sick tablets before departure (or take your own), so many people didn’t take them and at least 50% of the people were throwing up!"
"I was skeptical about the 100% encounter rate, but it was true. The captain said that we would definitely see them, but he couldn't guarantee what kind of behavior or performances they would show. However, we were very lucky to encounter a group of mothers and calves, and it was amazing to see the cute jumps and tail slaps of the young whales who had finished preparing for their journey, as well as the dynamic jumps of the adult whales! And then there were the pods of dolphins! I was very satisfied with the entire excursion, including the overall explanation and the captain's thoughtful gestures. On the other hand, although I think it depends on the weather and other factors, the boat rocks quite a bit. On the excursion I took, most of the children and seniors were sitting in the indoor area on the first floor, holding sick bags. One of my friends who came with me was also... For Japanese people, it seems that Aneron is recommended. We also recommend that everyone else take seasickness tablets before boarding."
"Captain Wayne, Pedro and the entire sailing team were amazing. You can never predict what the whales are going to do and Captain Wayne did his best to give us as much time out with the whales and even went slightly over time. He also invited my daughter to sit in the captain's chair. Pedro was open and engaging, and super patient and kind. I've been on many whale watching cruises, with many providers, and although they've all been great, Sea World Cruises definitely is my favourite."
"Amazing time whale watching. We seen a female whale with her baby"
"So close to the whales! At the closest point, it felt like I was almost able to touch them. I saw many, many whales of all sizes swimming sideways, slapping their tails, and breaching. It was thrilling and wonderful to ride the waves on the foredeck the whole time (but the boat rocked a lot, because it wasn't a catamaran, so the waves were felt more strongly). Some people at a few tables were so seasick that they passed out... If you suffer from seasickness, please be very careful.)"
"A truly wonderful experience for the whole family! 🐋❤️ The whale-watching boat cruise was fantastic. We were lucky enough to see the whales, and it was truly impressive and magnificent! 😍 The children loved it. It was an activity they really enjoyed, and they were amazed to be able to see the whales in real life. 🐋✨ A wonderful outing for families, enjoyable and full of great memories. We absolutely loved this experience and we wholeheartedly recommend it! ❤️"
"It was an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity. We saw so many whales, including a mother and a calf. It was great! Do carry a cap and a jacket especially if you visit during September. The crew members were very sweet and the captain was very informative and funny!"
Read all 680 verified reviews
See All ReviewsPick a Date, See the Price
Most activities on this site cancel free up to 24 hours ahead (checked October 2026). Some hinterland tours need two days' notice, and the Dreamworld and SkyPoint tickets cannot be refunded, so read the terms before you pay. Starting from US$63 per person.
Check AvailabilityFAQ: Whale Watching on the Gold Coast
The season, the guarantees, the boats and the swim, with prices as of October 2026.
July and August, when the most humpbacks pass on their way north. The season runs from about June to October; September and October bring mothers with newborn calves on the way back south. Sea World Cruises' FAQ gives its whale season as late May to early November, so the Whales in Paradise cruise covers the whole season.
From US$52 to US$139 a person for a cruise as of October 2026, and US$313 for the in-water swim. The most reviewed cruise, Whales in Paradise, costs from US$62; Kokomo Cruises from US$69; Blue Seafaris' marine biologist trip from US$87. The cheapest, Boattime's superyacht at US$52, has the weakest reviews, 3.6 from 143. The Kokomo cruise is the best rated.
Most of the cruises promise a free return if no whales are seen. Kokomo Cruises gives a free return ticket, Blue Seafaris a place on the next available tour, Cooly Eco Adventures a free return, and Whales in Paradise lists a sighting guarantee. Where the listings spell it out, the guarantee is a second trip, not money back, so book early in your stay; see the Blue Seafaris trip for one example.
Humpback whales, on their migration between Antarctic waters and the tropical north. The cruises also look out for dolphins, sea turtles and sea birds, and the Whales in Paradise cruise lists three dolphin species among its sightings. Its underwater microphones let you hear the humpbacks sing on the premium cruise.
Yes, with Cooly Eco Adventures, from US$313 as of October 2026. Guests enter the water with an in-water guide when the whales allow it. You must swim unassisted and have snorkelled before; it is not for children under 15, and late cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded. Read the conditions on the Swim with Whales trip.
About two to two and a half hours. The Whales in Paradise cruise lasts up to 2.5 hours, and Boattime's superyacht boards at 8.30 am for a 9 am departure and returns at 11.30 am, with an afternoon sailing too. Allow extra time to check in; the superyacht cruise lists both sailings.
Yes on the big cruises, with age limits on the smaller boats. Whales in Paradise is not for children under 3, Blue Seafaris not under 5 and Cooly Eco Adventures' watching trip not under 6; the swim is 15 and over. Boattime lets children under 3 travel free on its superyacht cruise.
Possibly: the cruises go out to the open sea, which can be rough even in sunshine. A large boat rolls less than a small one, and Blue Seafaris says its inflatable is not for anyone prone to seasickness. If you worry about it, pick the big Whales in Paradise cruise and take seasickness medicine before you board.
Queensland time. Queensland does not change its clocks, while New South Wales, across the Tweed River, is an hour ahead from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April. Cooly Eco Adventures says so in its listings, so check the clock before you set out for the Cooly Eco whale trip.
Still have questions? Email us at info@goldcoastactivities.com