14 Whale and Dolphin Cruises in Australia Worth Booking

1.Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $125Our pick

Join Freedom Whale Watch at 9:30 am for a six-hour catamaran cruise from Urangan. Toni and the crew search Platypus Bay for humpback whales, with time for dolphins, turtles, sea birds, whale calls, buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and Fraser Island views.

“1. We spent a solid 6 hours out on the water, and we had the privilege of seeing so many whales. Some of them even came right up to the boat, and one even gave us a spectacular spout! 2. The meals were simply delicious. They served us morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea, and every bite was fantastic! 3. The captain was a wealth of information, sharing so many interesting facts with us. Plus, all the crew members were super friendly. This trip was absolutely worth it! 🐳🌊😄”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 553 reviews · from $111

Join Tasman Venture for a four-hour Hervey Bay catamaran cruise with a whale-sighting guarantee. Watch humpback whales from the outdoor viewing platform or underwater windows, hear their calls through hydrophones, and enjoy commentary in six languages. Rachel and the crew add warmth, care, and useful marine insight.

“The sea was rough the day I went whale watching but the whales were amazing! They made a show for us! :) Perfect birthday present!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 452 reviews · from $111

Spend about four and a half hours aboard the Spirit of Hervey Bay, cruising Platypus Bay near Fraser Island. The crew shares whale behavior insights while you watch from open decks, a waterline platform, or underwater windows. Morning or afternoon tea is included, with hotel transfers or free marina parking.

“This is an amazing experience and one we throughly enjoyed. the crew was very attentive to all on board. we saw dozens of pods of whales and the captain gave some really good information about humpback whales and what they do. We think this is really good value Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Jervis Bay Day Tour and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 374 reviews · from $94

Leave Sydney Central at 7 am for a small-group Jervis Bay day tour with an English- or Portuguese-speaking guide. Cruise for dolphins, visit Huskisson, walk at Hyams and Greenfield beaches, and look for kangaroos at Cave Beach in Booderee National Park. Meals are extra.

“The bus needs some mechanical work. The bus ride was very boring. In other excursions, the drivers tell us significant history items during the ride, at points. The guys were great, the food was delicious. We enjoyed the beach, the dolphins were awesome, and the drive was blah. Talking to us some of the time about the history, would have been wonderful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 363 reviews · from $85

Cruise from Urangan past K’gari, Indian Head, and Great Sandy National Park while searching for humpback whales in Platypus Bay. Quick Cat II offers four viewing decks, local commentary, morning or afternoon departures, tea, and possible sightings of dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and dingoes.

“Crew/team were awesome! Very accomodating and full of energy. Saw heaps of whales. I would 100% recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Jervis Bay Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 294 reviews · from $37

Join Jervis Bay Wild for a 1.5-hour cruise from Huskisson into Jervis Bay Marine Park. The crew searches known feeding areas for nearly 100 resident bottlenose dolphins, with open-air and covered viewing areas, local commentary, and a chance to see dolphins beside the boat.

“Perfect experience with the dolphins, the Captain was very informative and knew exactly where to take us to see so many of those beautiful creatures”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Half-Day Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 277 reviews · 4 hours · from $84

Cruise Hervey Bay aboard the Amaroo, a purpose-built whale-watching boat with three open decks. Captain Phil and the crew search for humpback whales, explain their behavior, and give you time to watch mothers, calves, breaches, and close encounters. Tea, biscuits, parking, and Boat Club discounts are included.

“It was amazing when the whales socialise and you get a chance to listen to them 🐳🥰♥️”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Byron Bay: Whale Watching Cruise with a Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 261 reviews · 2h 30m · from $91

Join Out Of The Blue Adventures at Ballina’s Lance Ferris Wharf for a 150-minute whale cruise into Cape Byron Marine Park. A marine biologist, including guides such as Gabby, explains whale behavior while an underwater hydrophone lets you hear live song. Small eco vessels carry 20 to 25 people.

“Managed to get the back seats and by far the best in the house. Was able to get up and look either side of the boat. Saw 4 seperate groups of whales and plenty of dolphins. Driver and guide were amazing providing great feedback and no one got sea sick!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 260 reviews · from $85

Join Pacific Whale Foundation Australia at Great Sandy Straits Marina for a 3-hour whale watch aboard a rigid inflatable boat. A marine naturalist explains humpback behavior, while the onboard hydrophone lets you hear whale communication. Soft drinks, snacks, and a children’s activity book are included.

“Breathtaking experience! The team was very nice and experienced. Whales came up next to our boat, wonderful experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Half-Day Whale Watching Cruise with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 198 reviews · 4 hours · from $113

Join Whalesong Cruises from Great Sandy Straits Marina for four hours among Hervey Bay’s humpback whales. A purpose-built catamaran offers wide viewing decks, meals, hot drinks, live commentary, hydrophone whale songs, WiFi, and wheelchair access. Morning, afternoon, and sunset departures are available.

“We had a great morning. All staff on the boat were lovely. We were well looked after from booking, collected from the caravan park right until the finish. Food was perfect for the morning. The whales played and showed off around the boat for over an hour. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and highly recommend it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Humpback Whale-Watching Half-Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 153 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $84

From Hervey Bay, Quick Cat II carries you into the Great Sandy Strait for four to five hours of humpback watching. You get five viewing decks, 360-degree sightlines, live commentary, refreshments, and a hydrophone for whale song. Swimming is sometimes offered, but places are limited and not guaranteed.

“It was fantastic. Had the best day ever. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Was so good.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Koombana Bay: Dolphin Eco Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 131 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

Join the Dolphin Discovery Centre for a 90-minute cruise through calm Koombana Bay. Your skipper, possibly Jess, Dean, Mark, or Noodles, explains dolphin life while you watch wild bottlenose dolphins hunt, play, rest, and swim close to the boat.

“it was a beautiful day, our captain/guide was very informative ans shared lots of information about dolphins their life and habitat. we were lucky to see a large pod of dolphins some with babies hunting and playing. I could have watched them all day. Mother nature at her best. I highly recommend this cruise to locals and visitors.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Nelson Bay: Dolphin Watch Cruise and Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 74 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35Best value

Board Imagine at d'Albora Marina for a 90-minute dolphin cruise around Nelson Bay. An English-speaking crew guides you toward local bottlenose dolphins, with dry bow-net and wet boom-net viewing. Bring swimwear for a splash, or stay on deck for 360-degree views and a possible sail home.

“We went with 3 kids, age 3,6 and 11. We all had good fun and saw beautiful dolphin.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Nelson Bay: Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 47 reviews · 3 hours · from $63

Set sail from d’Albora Nelson Bay aboard Imagine Cruises’ 54-foot catamaran for three hours of whale and dolphin watching. You’ll get covered-deck views, English commentary, tea and coffee, and chances to see humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Bring warm clothes and allow time for paid parking.

“Fantastic staff, friendly and knowledgeable. Although it was a cold day, the 3 hours up on deck went so quickly. We were fortunate enough to see seals, whales, dolphins and 6 x F35 jets at low level - absolutely exhilarating. It's also worth mentioning that although the ocean was quite choppy, the catamaran was super-smooth on the water. I will definitely be back for another trip with these guys (when it's warm enough to swim with the dolphins) A great trip with a great bunch of people.”

Check availability →Read our full review