Hervey Bay whale watching in Queensland, Australia is now known internationally as the whale watching capital of the world. In 1987 several local fishing boat operators noticed that the recovering humpback whale population, in the area, was staying in Hervey Bay for several days and they were becoming inquisitive about the boats in the area. Some started to add whale watching trips to there itineraries and the fledgling whale watching industry in Hervey bay then took off with a bang. Within two years there were twenty boats operating daily services during the season which lasts from mid July through to early November. Today the population of whales continues to recover strongly and there are many more whales to see. Because of the high level of continuing interest in whale watching in the Hervey Bay area the area has been declared a marine park and the operators have became licensed under a permit system which is designed to protect both the whales and the Hervey Bay whale watching industry that has been generated.
The whales that visit Hervey Bay are predominately Humpback Whales which enter the area as part of there annual northern migration. There area is now known to be important as part of the whales breeding cycle and it is common to see mating activities, new born calves and mothers suckling their young. The song of the humpback whales is also commonly heard in the bay and most of the boats carry hydrophones so that the many whale watchers in Hervey Bay can enjoy this phenomenon. Two of the current boats in the fleet also have underwater windows, while many others have underwater video cameras which can show their submarine activities via an on board video monitor.
There is a wide range of boats in the fleet ranging from fast catamarans and cruisers through to sailing catamarans that offer whale watching in Hervey Bay. You can choose between a fast ½ day tour, a ¾ day including lunch or a relaxing day out on a luxury sailing cat. This year the fleet includes such great boats as the Spirit of Hervey Bay, Whalesong, Mikat, Tasman Venture Two, and Blue Dolphin Charters. You can take your pick from these quality boats and choose the one that suits you the best.
In this website you will also find a range of local apartments and resorts to choose from and while you are in the area you should take the opportunity to do a Fraser Island day tour and maybe a trip to the Great Barrier Reef by flying out to Lady Elliot Island for their Day tour or an extended stay.
You will also find all the information you need to plan and book your to whale watching Hervey Bay trip and have the opportunity to visit the Fraser Island region.
Whale Watch Cruises
- Whalesong Cruises – Half Day Whale Watching
- Spirit of Hervey Bay – Whale Watching Cruise
- Whalesong Whale Watching & Fraser Island Packages
- Tasman Venture – Half Day Whale Watching
- Blue Dolphin Marine Tours – Full Day Whale Watching
- Shayla Sailing Cruises
- Quick Cat II – Half Day Whale Watching
- Freedom III Whale Watch and Dive Charters
- Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watch and Fraser Island Adventure Ticket
- Quick Cat II Whale Watch and Fraser Island Super Passes
- Tasman Venture Fraser and Whales Packages
