Home » Bestemmingen » Queensland » Half Day Whale Watching Tour [Seasonal]
Australia Expert Half Day Whale Watching Tour [Seasonal]
K'gari (Fraser Island), QLD
Enjoy a close encounter with the majestic humpback whales that visit Quuensland with the Whale Watching Tour!
- 4+ years old
- Maximum of 80 pax
- Approx. 4 hours
-
Departs from Great Sandy Straits Marina, Buccaneer Drive, Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia (mid July to late October)
Morning Tour: 8:30 am
Afternoon Tour: 1:30 pm -
Returns to Great Sandy Straits Marina, Buccaneer Drive, Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia (mid July to late October)
Morning Tour: 12:30 pm
Afternoon Tour: 5:30 pm -
Akama Resort – Within walking distance
Alexander Apartments
Alexander Lakeside B&B
Allegra – pickup on Cyrpress Street
Ambassador Motor Inn
Arlia Sands
Bay Hideaway
Bay Shores
Beachside Motor Inn
Billabong Beachhouse
Boat Harbour Resort
Boomerang Beachhouse
Breakfree Resort – within walking distance
Buzers
Charlton Apartments
Coconut Palms on the Bay
Colonial Lodge
Colonial Village YHA
Discovery Park – Boat Harbour Drive (Australiana)
Discovery Park – Fraser Street (Fraser Lodge)
Eden by the Bay
Emeraldene Inn
Five 3 Five – The Beachside Barracks
Flashpackers
Fraser Coast Top Tourist Park
Fraser Gateway
Friendlies
Great Sandy Straits marina – Meet at vessel 15 minutes prior departure
Harbour View Caravan Park – Within walking distance
Hervey Bay Caravan Park
Hervey Bay Motel
Hervey Bay Rent a Car
Hervey Bay Resort
Hervey Bay Transit Centre
Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre (car park)
Ingenia Holidays
Jade Waters
Kondari Resort
Lazy Acres
Lisiannas
Main Street Motel
Mango Hostel
Mantra Resort – Within walking distance
No Pickup required – Meet at vessel 15 minutes prior to departure
Oceans Resort – Pickup from Hibiscus Street
Oz Horizons
Palace Hostel
Palm Court
Palms Caravan Park
Pialba Caravan Park
Pialba Motor Inn
Pier House
Point Vernon Holiday Park
Quarterdecks Apartments
Ramada Resort – Within walking distance
Riviera Resort
Sanctuary Lakes
Santalina Apartments
Scarness Caravan Park
Shelly Bay Resort
Shelly Beach Caravan Park
Shelly Beach Motel
Sunlodge Caravan Park
Sunrise Flats
Sunseeker Motel
The Bay Apartments
The Beach Motel
The Grange
Tingeera
Torquay Caravan Park
Torquay Terrace Bed & Breakfast
Tower Court
Urangan Motor Inn
Villa Cavour Bed and Breakfast
Whale Cove
Whitecrest Apartments
Windmill Caravan Park
Woolshed Backpackers
For a half day, learn from expert, passionate and dedicated crew about these amazing mammals and other marine creatures including turtles, dugongs, dolphins, sharks and sea birds.
Enjoy a fun and comfortable whale watching experience aboard Tasman Venture, a luxurious 20-metre catamaran with clear viewing decks, hydrophone, unique viewing platform, underwater camera and viewing room.
Itinerary
Meeting and Safety Briefing
We will start boarding our Vessel for the day 15 minutes prior to departure at the Hervey Bay Marina. We’ll go over any safety concerns and brief you on the plan for the day’s tour before heading off for the days adventure.
Great Sandy Straits and Platypus Bay
Cruising out of the harbor we will travel across the Great Sandy Straits to K’gari where we meet Moon Point (the halfway point of K’gari). We will continue travelling north alongside K’gari into Platypus Bay. Keep a keen eye out for whales, dolphins, turtles and dugongs that are frequently seen on our journey.
Whale Watching Encounters
Be on the lookout for Humpback whales and experience the thrill of getting up close and personal with these majestic creatures as they frolic in the calm, clear waters off K’gari. Immerse yourself with these gentle giants from our purpose designed vessel’s large decks, including our famous water level viewing platform and our underwater viewing windows.
Inclusions
- Guaranteed whale sighting (or return ticket)
- Expert accredited commentary
- Friendly and experienced staff
- Morning Tea
- Hydrophone equipped to hear the whales sing
- Fully licensed bar
- FREE Wi-Fi
- Underwater viewing rooms (see the whales in their natural environment)
- Access to the unique viewing platform (gets you to eye level with the whales)
- FREE "Close Encounters" Whale Watch DVD
- Entertainment for the children (toys, colouring in and DVDs)
- Multi lingual staff and whale information in 6 languages
- Air-conditioned comfort in all cabin areas
- FREE transfer from your Hervey Bay Accommodation
What to Bring
- Camera
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Jacket
- Sunscreen lotion
- Flat shoes
- Money
Extra Payment
- Hot and cold meals
- Drinks
- Souvenirs
Frequently Asked Questions
This tour operates rain or shine, except in the case of extreme weather.
The Humpback Whales are observed in Hervey Bay during their southern migration, which is usually during mid July – late October. The dates can vary year to year as the whales are wild animals and their migration changes slightly each year.
Our Whale immersion experience tis only offered on our Remote Fraser Island and Whale Experience tour. This is not a guaranteed experience. It is offered at our skippers discretion based on a variety of factors including whale behavior and sea conditions.
The number of whales we see on each tour varies greatly throughout the season. Our peak season is between August to September.
Our Half Day Whale Watch Encounter tour offers a guaranteed sightings policy. It is very uncommon to not see whales during the season dates however if this does occur, we offer guests with an open dated return ticket.
During our whale season we limit our capacity to approximately 80 passengers for our guests’ comfort.
During the whale season we guarantee that our guests travelling on our Half Day Whale Watch encounter will see whales, however there are a wide variety of other marine life that we often observe during the tours. These include dolphins, turtles, birds and other whale species such as Southern Right whales and Minke whales.
We provide our guests aboard our Half Day Whale Watch Encounter tours with two light meal services. Morning or afternoon tea (cakes, biscuits, and focaccia bread) and an antipasto platter as well as complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate throughout the tour. Additional hot and cold food, beverages and souvenirs are available to purchase from the kiosk during the tour.
Humpback Whales are wild animals and for this reason we are unable to predict their behaviours. However, we do not find that their behaviours have any specific pattern based on the time of the day, so we suggest choosing the tour time that suits you best.
This tour is subject to the terms and conditions of both Australia Expert (the Travel Agency) and the Tour Operator. These terms can be found upon booking, in your Travel Voucher, and in the booking confirmation sent to your registered email address.
Please note that the most up-to-date Terms and Conditions, as stated on the websites and vouchers of both the Tour Operator and Australia Expert, will apply.
Please be aware that Credit Card Payment Fees are non-refundable.
To review Australia Expert’s latest Terms and Conditions, here. For further information about the tour policies, feel free to contact us at info@australiaexpert.nl
A requirement for Open Water Divers and equivalent. Must have a minimum of 10 Open Water dives and feel confident diving prior to booking.
Those who are not certified will receive an introduction to Nitrox on the day and the opportunity to upgrade to full certification later.
You are required to complete some reading prior to your dive trip which should take approximately 45 minutes. You are more than welcome to collect the reading material the day before your tour with us from the dive shop between 3pm and 5pm. Alternatively you can complete it from 7:15 am the day of your trip. Please let us know your preference in the booking process.
If you haven’t dived for 12 months you will require a pool refresher completed the day prior at additional cost. If you do not complete the Refresher and this is discovered on the day of your dive tour, you will not be able to complete it and will be charged the cancellation fee in full.
Thank you for your booking! Please bring your diving certification card and/or logbook with you on the day of your dive. If you require an online check please inform us in advance as we can only check SSI and PADI certifications.
Please be aware that if you have not dived within the last 12 months you are required to complete a Scuba TuneUp Refresher with one of our instructors the day prior to diving at Wolf Rock. Wolf Rock Dive reserves the right to cancel a diver on the day if they cannot provide evidence of prior diving experience. You will be charged in full for cancellation on the day.
Please inform us if you are unwell or experiencing any ‘flu’-like symptoms, or have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days. Wolf Rock Dive Centre reserves the right to refuse service and entry to anyone with these symptoms. We must insist that you stay at home and you will not be able to participate in the activity.
You must be medically fit to dive and have a reasonable level of fitness, there may be strenuous conditions. Please read the file that is attached to this email. The medical declaration form outlines potential conditions that may impact your ability to dive. Those answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions may require a diving medical. Please contact us for further information. Refunds will not be given on the day if you are unable to dive due to a medical condition.
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. We now have Enriched Air (Nitrox) tank rental available, as well as Enriched Air Courses that can be completed with your charter. Please give us a call to add these options to your booking or book your Nitrox course online. Enriched Air (Nitrox) is safer diving option for all divers, however for divers in high-risk categories (e.g. older, overweight or unfit), it is highly recommended. Enriched Air can also extend your time with the sharks, call us to find out how!
Each individual diver is required to carry a Safety Sausage, snorkel, whistle and dive computer. This is included in your full equipment rental. If you are bringing your own equipment, please ensure it adheres to Queensland WH&S industry standards.
By booking you are accepting our Terms and Conditions. Please ensure you have read and agree to these terms, they help us keep the quality and safety of our tour at a high standard. A 20% non-refundable Booking fee has been charged to your card, balance for your trip will be taken the day prior.
We have a 48-hour cancellation policy, please let us know if your plans change in advance. Payment will be taken in full for a ‘no show’ or cancellation within 48 hours. If we have to cancel for any reason, we will fully refund any money taken. We will only contact you the afternoon before your dive if there is going to be a change in start time/cancellation due to bad weather or other reasons. Feel free to contact us before you travel to check the latest updates.
Please check your own accommodation’s cancellation policy before booking- Big 4 ‘Breeze’ caravan park will offer credit for rescheduling should your dive be cancelled, not all accommodation is so flexible.
Please note it is recommended you wait a minimum of 24 hours after diving prior to flying and you may wish to delay driving the incline to Gympie from Rainbow Beach.
We look forward to meeting you, The Wolf Rock Dive Team
We require all bookings to be reconfirmed with us 2 Days before your scheduled start.
Open Dated Booking Notice
If you are booking open dated, we will require 7 Days notice.
Refund Policy
Refunds will be processed according to the following time frames…
• Cancellations within 1 Day of the start date incur a 100.00% fee.
• Between 1 Day and 7 Days incur a 50.00% fee.
