Whale watching with Adventure Rafting
This whale season, get up close to experience their breathtaking breaches, loud tail and pec slaps and tail lobs as they make their way up and down the coast.
The Sunshine Coast offers some of the best whale watching in Australia and this year more than 22,000 humpbacks are expected to make the migration north from Antarctica starting in about March, arriving in Queensland by June and returning south from September to November.
Whale breaching in front of Mount Coolum with Sunreef.
After eating up to four ton of krill and small fish a day each in the Antarctic over summer, the Humpbacks migrate to the warmer northern waters which provide perfect temperatures to give birth to their calves in the sheltered waters of Queensland’s coastline - you might be lucky enough to spot the babies on their return swim.
The Sunshine Coast benefits from a longer whale watching season as the whales make the 10,000km journey along the Australian coastline to Antarctica, newborn calves in tow, and then pass by again as they head south to the Arctic.
It’s a special sight to spot these creatures with the tell-tale spout, tail slapping or breaching a full body from the water.
To head out on the water and get even closer to these graceful giants, try a whale watching tour with Whale One, Adventure Rafting or a luxury experience on board with Cavalier Cruises. These tour companies operate regularly during the season from Mooloolaba.
Whale watching Sunshine Coast style.
For a whale watching tour with a difference, head out with Saltwater Eco Tours on a Cultural Whale Watching tour, departing Mooloolaba.
The two-hour experience is led by and Indigenous guide who shares cultural songs, ancient stories and deep connection to these majestic ocean dwellers as they migrate through Sunshine Coast waters.
The experience is run collaboratively with local business Adventure Rafting on board their vessel specially equipped with HD underwater cameras and an underwater hydrophone to live stream the whales as they play and sing.
A whale of a time with Adventure Rafting
You can also head out and see these majestic creatures from Noosa. Noosa Wave Boating Adventures will have you out from the marine spotting whales in no time and with Noosa Oceanrider, everyone gets a seat in their sleek 12-seater for whale views that can't be beat.
Why not jump in and have a swim?!
There are very few opportunities in life where you can come face-to-face with a humpback whale. If you want to get up really close with the whales in their natural environment, you can you can swim with these beauties from July to October thanks to Sunreef. They offer four-hour day trips for up to 20 participants and provide all participants with wetsuits and snorkelling equipment.
Swim with the whales - Sunreef. Credit: Tourism Australia
What happens next is 100 per cent on the whales’ own terms, but one thing is certain, it is an experience you will never forget.
Sunreef Whale Swim Tours
Where to see the whales
You can witness these graceful giants from several vantage points on land along the coast:
- Point Perry or Point Arkwright,
- Point Cartwright,
- Moffat Headland,
- Dolphin Point,
- Alexandra Headland
The Sunshine Coast also offers many other immersive animal encounters that you can dive right into! Why not try swimming with rescued seals at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast or kayak with dolphins with the team from Epic Ocean Adventures.
Kayak with Epic Ocean Adventures and you may have a close encounter of the humpback kind.
