Hervey Bay Whale Swim and Watch: Intimate Encounter with Limited Numbers
  • Come and experience an up-close, personal whale encounter with strictly limited numbers. Includes whale swim encounter when possible.
Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hervey Bay Dive Centre - Check-in and board the vessel, tour the Great Sandy Strait Marine Park along side of Fraser Island. Whale watch and Swim the day away, catering and equipment provided.
What's Included
  • Lunch included
  • Snorkeling gear and wetsuits provided
  • Up-close whale encounter
  • Tea and coffee available
  • Opportunity to swim with whales (conditions permitting)
  • Guaranteed whale sightings
Additional Information
  • Children under 8 years are not permitted to swim with the whales and a parental guardian must remain with them on the vessel. If 2 guardians are present they can interchange between the vessel and swimming when conditions permit. The tour is not suitable for children under 4 years.
Location
Hervey Bay Dive Centre
Jetty Street
Enter the marina via the gate next to the fuel station.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(182 Ratings)
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Bobmp3241bf
Aug 28, 2024
Bucket List Experience. - Our daughter booked the whale swim experience as a bucket list adventure and the day exceeded our expectations. The team were very efficient in having us fill out the paperwork and get fitted into our wetsuits. There is a limit of 24 people on the boat which gave everyone a good amount of room to move about and not feel cramped. Eddy, the captain and owner kept us informed once we set off and the 2 crew members did a great job of looking after everyone and kept the food coming. We saw a lot of dolphins and plenty of whales and half the people on board, while snorkeling, saw whales swimming under them or very near to them. Eddy stopped multiple times to give everyone several opportunities to snorkel. We did have excellent weather but it was a day our family will never forget and would highly recommend the experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Summer_w
Aug 25, 2024
Bucketlist goals - This trip was 6 year sin the making. We were never own the right place at the right time. This experience is one we'll never forget! The staff was so kind and friendly. The owners made you feel like you've known them forever and were just as excited as we were to experience these beautiful creatures. They were happy to share the knowledge of the surrounding islands and facts about the ocean and the whales themselves. They made sure everyone had a chance to make the most of this experience. Thank you so much for such a beautiful day out. We've said this will be an annual trip. Thank you for having us and thank you for the wonderful food you supplied us with all throughout the day. Thank you for making this experience comfortable and so full of magic. 1000% recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Explorer00995511433
Aug 25, 2024
Perfect day with whales - The day was perfect also thanks to the weather conditions, clear and smooth water. Also The captain and the team are great people too, very organized, safe and welcoming all along the day. The captain tried all day to find the perfect spot for watching and swimming with them and the nice thing is that we can get close if the captain thinks is safe for the whales. I recommend this experience with this team.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curiosity62902406580
Aug 23, 2024
Swim with the whales - Had a fantastic day out on the water and in the water watching whales and swimming with them the staff where great alway making sure you where ok worth the money
Review provided by Tripadvisor
225shannonb
Aug 23, 2024
10 out of 10, why watch when u can swim with them! - Nothing short of amazing. Staff excellent, boat fantastic, food awesome and experience... 10/10. Despite fog for first 3 hrs, skipper Ian found the first pod of whales interacting with a small fishing boat so we watched. Then Ian found out own three humpbacks who were keen to interact, so for the next 1hrs we took turns in the water being saying hello and watching them play with us. We did not chase them at all, we simply offered sounds and movement that interested them and they stayed with us. Take or hire a gopro because words cannot explain what it is like to look a whale the size of a bus in the eye and wave, and it looks at you and waves back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guide761935
Aug 21, 2024
Just the beauty of the whales and physically getting in the water and being so close to them was fabulous - This was the best experience of my life. it was absolutely amazing. Also the company looked after us fed us well and watered.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catriona201
Aug 19, 2024
Outstanding day spent swimming with whales - We had an awesome day swimming with whales. The staff were very helpful and all equipment was provided. The food was plentiful and delicious. We were impressed with the knowledge of whales shown by the captain. Throughout the day it was the whales’ decision whether or not to engage with us. We were very impressed with this business.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Petra_h
Aug 26, 2024
We had a great time with the whales, thanks - Having the whales coming up close to the boat. These are majestic animals that made the experience truly memorable
Review provided by Viator
Ar3hur
Aug 25, 2024
Good day but better organisation needed - Overall a very good day on the water. As a constructive comment I think a better way needs to be devised for getting people in the water. I would suggest that you be assigned a group and be put in the water according to that. This could be easily done before you leave. On out trip some guests pushed to the front and got in the water every time as did a guest with an expensive camera. This meant some guests only got limited opportunities to get in the water. This was the case for the one time the whales wanted to play and the mermaid line was occupied by those who pushed to the front even though they had been in at every opportunity. The deckie Matt mentioned that certain guests had first dibs if they weren't in the water previously however this did not deter the pushy or the photographer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M7485kpmarcoc
Aug 22, 2024
A big disappointed - A big disappointment. Nothing to say about the entire crew (apart from those who were responsible for getting guests into the water). we saw whales well out of the water. in the water it was impossible for essentially two reasons: 1) near the whale you enter the water without fins with a rope and you hope that the curious animal will come closer. That is, like going to Africa, parking your off-road vehicle and thinking that the lion is approaching. 2) it's done in shifts of 10. So it's luck. we have already had the same experience in other countries and, either you can swim in small groups and get close to the whales, or it's not really worth it. Better to book a less expensive whale watching excursion out of the water. It's really a shame. Una grande delusione. Niente da dire su tutto l'equipaggio (a parte chi si occopuva di fare entrare un acqua gli ospiti). abbiamo visto le balene bene fuori dall'acqua. in acqua e' stato impossibile per due motivi sostanzialmente: 1) vicino alla balena si entra in acqua senza pinne con una corda e si spera che l'animale incuriosito si avvici. Cioe come andare in Africa parcheggiare il fuoristrada e pensare che il leone si avvicini. 2) si fa a turni di 10. Quindi va a fortuna. abbiamo gia fatto la stessa esperienza in altri paesi e, o si puo nuotare in piccoli gruppi ed avvicinarsi alle balene, oppure non ne vale la pena davvero. Meglio prenotare una escursione meno costosa di avvistamento balene fuori dall'acqua. Peccato davvero.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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