Gold Coast Whale Watching is an absolute must during your visit to this beautiful oceanside city on Australia’s east coast!
There is no better way to get up close and personally with these humble giants than hopping onboard a 2-hour whale watching cruise, which will take you out to sea to spot humpback whales showing off their acrobatic skills during their annual migration.
In this post, I have put together a complete guide to a Gold Coast whale watching experience, including where to book, when the whale watching season is, and what to expect on tour.
WHERE TO BOOK WHALE WATCHING GOLD COAST
There are several Gold Coast whale watching tour operators to choose from, though it can be tricky trying to decide which one is the best.
I personally went whale watching on the Gold Coast with a tour operator called Sea World Cruises and can’t recommend them enough as they are the most reputable and affordable.
Not only do Sea World Cruises offer whale watching in Gold Coast, but they also have many other cruises available such as sightseeing cruises, lunch cruises, sunset cruises, and more!
Whale watching tours operate out of Sea World, which is located at the northern end of the Gold Coast near The Spit.
WHALE WATCHING GOLD COAST PRICES
- Adult: $89 AUD
- Child: $59 AUD
- Family 2 Adults, 2 Children: $296 AUD
Click Here to check availability and book online in advance.
GOLD COAST WHALE WATCHING SEASON
The whale watching season Gold Coast starts in April and ends in November.
Every year, these humble giants migrate from Antarctica traveling north along Australia’s east coast at the beginning of winter and then travel back towards the southern ocean at the beginning of spring.
During this time is the best opportunity to see the annual migration and acrobatic displays from these majestic humpback whales as they cruise past the coastlines of NSW and Queensland.
RELATED ARTICLE → 3 DAY GOLD COAST ITINERARY
The BEST Affordable Camera For Travel
If you’re on the hunt for a professional camera for traveling, check out the Canon G7 X Mark II.
This tiny camera fits in your pocket, captures high-quality photos and videos, and has Wi-Fi so you can instantly transfer to your phone!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Whale Watching Gold Coast is truly an incredible experience, and I guarantee you will not regret jumping on board this 2-hour boat cruise.
The tour starts at Sea World Cruises, where you will board the whale-watching tour boat at the Sea World Cruises pier, and from here, it’s a 15-minute cruise along the Broadwater and out through The Spit till you reach the open ocean.
As the boat cruises out through the Broadwater, you’ll have spectacular views of some Labrador, Southport, and Surfers Paradise.
The boat will then cruise past South Stradbroke Island before reaching deeper waters and to where humpback whales can be spotted.
The duration of the Gold Coast whale watching tour is 2 hours which allows plenty of time on the water to be on the lookout for the playful humpback whales.
Be sure to bring your camera to capture all the magic!
Apart from spotting whales on the tour, you’ll also get a close encounter with pods of dolphins that like to cruise at the front of the boat.
FEATURES ON THE TOUR
- History of migrating humpback whales
- Spectacular views of the Gold Coast
The Most Functional Day Pack EVER!
The Nomatic 20L Travel Pack is perfect for everyday use and for those shorter 1-3 day adventures.
With 20+ innovative features and a minimalist design, this functional day pack gives you confidence for life on the move!
SEA WORLD CRUISES LOCATION
WHERE TO STAY ON THE GOLD COAST
The Gold Coast is a thriving tourist hub with no shortage of accommodation options and most people want to be by the beach as often as possible – I don’t blame them!
RELATED ARTICLE → WHERE TO STAY IN GOLD COAST
See below for the best places to stay on the Gold Coast with options suited for small families, budget backpackers, and luxury travelers.
Luxury: Palazzo Versace
Palazzo Versace is one of the best 5-star resorts on the Gold Coast featuring multiple swimming pools, award-winning restaurants, a fitness center, and free WiFi throughout.
The rooms and suites are decorated with Versace furnishings and include a balcony, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with spa baths.
Located in Main Beach, Palazzo Versace is the perfect place to stay for families and couples.
Mid Range: Outrigger Burleigh
The best and most affordable hotel in Burleigh Heads is the Outrigger which is just a two-minute walk from Burleigh Beach and features an outdoor pool, hot tub, and ocean views!
The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned, and equipped with a kitchenette, a living room, private bathroom, and a balcony.
Perfect for couples and families on a mid-range budget.
Budget: Maxmee Backpackers Resort
Maxmee Backpackers Resort is one of the cheapest and best backpackers on the Gold Coast!
Located a stone’s throw from the beach, it features a beach club, outdoor pool, table tennis, and even hammocks.
There are dorm rooms and private apartments available, perfect for friends and solo travelers.
FOR MORE OPTIONS, SEE THIS GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY ON THE GOLD COAST
BEST TIME TO VISIT GOLD COAST
The Gold Coast is one of the only places on the East Coast of Australia that sees glorious sunshine almost all year round.
If you want the best of the best conditions weatherwise, I recommend visiting between May and October (Autumn – Spring) which is ideal for beach bumming, nature walks, and water sports.
Summer on the Gold Coast is between December and February which sees hot temperatures and a lot of rainfall.
BEST GOLD COAST TOURS
OTHER GOLD COAST ATTRACTIONS
As I mentioned earlier, there are so many things to do on the Gold Coast you could spend months here and not run out of things to do.
See the list below for some other Gold Coast tourist spots that you may want to check out:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Aquaduck Safari
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Tamborine Mountain
- Indoor Skydiving
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE GOLD COAST
When visiting the Gold Coast, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
Travel Backpack
The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!
Quick-Dry Travel Towel
The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!
Portable PowerBank
Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!
More Australia Travel Guides
Click the button below to view all articles related to Australia!
FINAL THOUGHTS – WHALE WATCHING GOLD COAST
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Whale Watching Gold Coast, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
Search and book accommodation worldwide.
Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.
Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.
Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.
Search all rental cars in your next destination.
Need travel insurance for your next trip?
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.
Click here to find out how you can support the site organically.
Many thanks!