The best whale watching spots on the Gold Coast for families

Did you know the Gold Coast has the longest whale watching season in Australia, with over 30,000 whales migrating via the ‘Humpback Highway’ from May to November? 

The sheltered waters of Gold Coast Bay encourage humpback whales to stay longer to train their calves. During this training period, the whales exhibit a variety of behaviours that will delight and captivate your kids. Making a Gold Coast whale watching tour a fantastic family day out.

Gold Coast whale watching season

Each year whales migrate 10,000 kilometres from Antarctica to shallower, warmer northern waters via the Gold Coast to birth calves that are born without the protective blubber required to survive winter down in Antarctica. 

You can catch the first whales migrating north to the Gold Coast from late May, with the season really kicking off from June to October. Sometimes you’ll see some dawdlers as late as November.

Gold Coast whale watching tours

Head out on a Gold Coast whale watching tour to get up-close-and-personal with some of nature’s largest mammals. Cruises take you to the Humpback Highway, an ancient underwater corridor approximately 20-minutes from the world-famous Gold Coast shoreline, where you’ll see humpback whales blowing, splashing, breeching and flipping their tails. These unusual breaching behaviours make an excellent show for whale-watchers catching full glimpses of their 15-metre-long bodies. In the later half of the whale watching season, you can witness mother whales travelling with newborn calves.

Nothing compares to the excitement of a whale curiously approaching your vessel. There are a number of whale watching tours to choose from on the Gold Coast, all offering unique experiences with these magnificent beasts. Most providing a whale sighting guarantee. Which means if you don’t see a whale, you’ll get another trip free. That said, with a 99% whale sighting rate, you’ll most likely have some very delighted kids experiencing the unique migrating whales.

For more information visit destinationgoldcoast.com/tours-to-take/whale-watching

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Who to cruise with?

Sea World Cruises

Sea World Cruises work in partnership with Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation and Griffith University and have university researchers onboard each vessel. The 2.5-hour cruise is on a state-of-the-art ship with up to three levels of viewing platforms and a fully licenced bar. Tours include informative commentary by naturalist guides, watching onboard video presentations, hearing whale songs, citizen science programs, and a complimentary educational whale watching passport with wildlife activities for every child.

Sea World Cruises’ whale watching offer

One child travels free on family tickets plus receive a complimentary gift bag, drink, and snack for every child. Select “One Child Free” offer when booking. Book at seaworldcruises.com.au/whale-watch-tickets

Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching

Spirit of Gold Coast’s onboard marine biologist will explain marine life and whale migration in a fun way for families. Kids will also love the complimentary refreshments during the two and a half hour cruise.

Spirit of Gold Coast whale watching offer

Save 50% on adults tickets or pay $99 for two tickets with promo code SS99. This special offer is availabe on afternoon cruises Monday to Friday. Book at spiritwhalewatching.com.au

Boattime Yacht Charters

For a luxury whale watching tour, sail on Boattime Yacht Charters’ 110-foot luxury superyacht, Sun Goddess. Twice daily 2.5-hour tours depart from the elite Mariners Cove. The knowledgeable crew and commentator will teach the kids all about marine life and you can purchase a humpback whale info sheet and colouring in.

Boattime also offer private charters should you wish to spend a day on the water with a vessel to yourselves.

Anyone else?

Other whale watching tour companies of note are Whales in Paradise, whose low-noise cruises have a water-level viewing deck and small boat whale watching with SEA The Gold Coast.

What marine life will you see?

Apart from seeing whales on a Gold Coast whale watching tour, you’ll also experience other awesome marine creatures. Watch out for pods of bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and migratory seabirds.

As an added bonus, your photos of these beautiful creatures have the stunning Surfers Paradise cityscape in the background.

On land

From the shores of the Gold Coast, the best whale watching spots are North Burleigh Lookout, Point Danger, The Spit, Kirra Hill and Elephant Rock.

Australia’s Playground Awaits

With most whale watching cruises from the Gold Coast only taking about 2-3 hours to enjoy, you’ll also have lots of time to explore all the other wonders of the region. Kids who thrive on arts and craft time will love exploring HOTA’s Children’s Gallery – and parents probably won’t say no to enjoying a beverage or two at the stunning Exhibitionist Rooftop bar while you’re visiting. There are also dozens of other ways to take to the water from surf lessons to kayaking and more. Or you could just laze the afternoon away by your resort pool.

Start planning now for the Gold Coast whale watching season, to get out there and see the beautiful whales migrating through the Gold Coast. For more information visit destinationgoldcoast.com/tours-to-take/whale-watching

This article was produced in partnership with Destination Gold Coast and is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter here.

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