• The Humpback whale migration season in Cairns and Far North Queensland is June to August. Book a day out on the reef on your very own luxury charter boat to see the whales, explore island and snorkel the reef.
• Charter your very own 47 foot flybridge cruiser to explore the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns and to see the migrating humpback whales as they breach and play in the safe waters of Far North Queensland
• On a private charter boat tour in Cairns its up to you where you would like to be on the day and what you would like to see. Watch whales, explore islands and sand cays. 

The whale season (June-Sept) brings a lot of excitement to the coastlines of Australia and tour boats and private charter boats become booked out very early with guests wanting to see these magnificent creatures in the wild playing freely.

Cairns private charter boat whale watching tours are run over the months of June to September on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia for a maximum of 12 guests on day charters and 6 guests on overnight charters.

Add a nice luncheon, some snorkeling or scuba diving to your day charter or island hopping to your overnight private boat charter.

Meet your boat captain and crew on the Cairns Marlin Marina for a famil of your 47-foot private charter boats facilities.

In the months of June to September, the giant Humpback Whales and the Dwarf Minke whales make their way up from the cold waters of the Antarctica to calve in the safe surrounds of the warmer tropical waters and to find other mates and a seat on a private motor cruiser is the best place to be.  

Whale Watching Tours Cairns

Cairns really has only two seasons in the year, the dry season and the green season.

The dry season is the northern winter season and this is when the giant Humpback Whale and Dwarf Minke Whales begin their annual migration to the safe waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Dependant on water temperatures these majestic creatures make their way north along the East coast of Australia in search of warm and safe waters to calve and search for new mates during the months of May to September.

Tailed on this annual migration by the cold water predators such as the Great White Shark, our protected coral reef barrier provides the perfect location and opportunity for the Humpbacks and Dwarf Minke Whales to raise their young over these months and fatten them up for the return journey southward to the Antarctic. 

These massive whales have to swim an epic 12,000-kilometre journey to reach the Great Barrier Reef and do not stop to eat along the way as they are driven to keep swimming by their internal migrational instincts.  

Private Charter Luxury Whale Watching Tour Cairns

During the months June to September most reef tour boat companies in Cairns are known to have frequent brief encounters with whales as they make their way across the reef towards the outer islands and coral reef on the Great Barrier Reef.

Due to the popularity of whale watching we have commenced our dedicated private charter whale watching tours for guests who like a more comfortable privately hosted boat tour.

Our guests travel out to the reef aboard our beautifully kept 47-foot luxury private charter boat.

With a maximum of 12 passengers, benefit from an endless choice of cruising destinations, with the unique freedom to roam the Great Barrier Reef in search of Humpback Whales and the inquistive Dwarf Minke Whales.

About the Cairns Charter Boat

At 47 foot long the motor boat was built in 2006 to the skipper's specifications.

She is Queensland 2B surveyed for operations to 200 Nautical Miles from Australia’s coastline and she is surveyed to comfortably carry up to 12 passengers for day trips, 6 overnight and 4 for extended overnight charters on the Great Barrier Reef.

• Charters commence from Cairns by arrangement
• Fully air-conditioned
• Private stateroom with TV/DVD and ensuite
• 4 single bunks, 1 extra double and 2 crew bunks
• Beautiful modern fit out
• 2 showers, 2 toilets
• TV, DVD and CD Stereo
• 240V Power
• Convection Microwave Oven
• Cooktop
• 2 Refrigerators and 3 freezers
• Desalinator - 120 litres fresh water per hour

Our private charter boat skipper has been plying the waters of the Great Barrier Reef for over 23 years as a mariner and knows the best places to tuck in and wait for the whales to pass and all the good spots to anchor for a day of snorkelling or fishing once you have seen enough Humpback and Dwarf Minke Whale action.

Other Activities And Inclusions On Board The Private Charter Boat

Aside from providing the best possible opportunity to see a Humpback whale up close and personal, private whale watching charters are full of inclusions. This vessel benefits greatly from their open roaming permit, allowing a variety of operations in any waters up to 200 nautical miles from Australia’s coastline of Cairns.

As a result, passengers aboard a whale watching charter also have the option of accessing brilliant snorkelling or scuba diving sites along the Great Barrier Reef in between Humpback whale sightings. Alternatively, should you wish, she also has a fantastic reputation as a champion of sustainable reef fishing here in Cairns and can therefore also allow charter passengers the opportunity to break up the day’s activities with a spot of reef fishing.

On your full day whale watching charter, your meals and activities are fully catered and include all snorkelling gear and all fishing gear. A two-course dinner, linen, and a complimentary T-shirt are included in overnight and extended charters.

In addition to all fishing equipment, bait and snorkel gear, passengers also have complimentary towels and sunscreen, water, soft drinks and top-shelf beer and wine selections included. Lunch aboard is a real winner with fresh local seafood such as Prawns, Moreton Bay Bugs and Oysters with cold meats and fresh salads. A morning tea fruit platter and an afternoon snack of quality cheeses and antipastos are also included in the private boat charter cost.

Best Time of Year To See Whales On The Great Barrier Reef In Cairns

When it is noticeably an early winter and cooler waters, the giant Humpback whales have been known to arrive in the Far Northern Tropical waters in large numbers in the first few weeks of June some years.

These early arrivals have tourism operators abuzz with the prospect of a truly bumper whale season ahead. In an average year, the peak days can see the vessel spotting 20-30 whales a day, though as the years since hunting of whales was prohibited in Australian waters whale populations continue to grow and thrive and it makes us all endlessly happy to see more and more of these special visitors each year.

The peak period for seeing the giant Humpback whales is July to September and some experts say it's great to be on the water in the early months to see the arrival of the more juvenile whales because they show off a lot more and are more game and inquisitive about the boats and the people on them. 

For more Great Barrier Reef private charter boat options please see here

See more luxury private charter tour options. 

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

Approx 8am

Departure Instructions

This vessel departs from Yorkeys Knob Marina 15 to 20 minutes from Cairns city

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Cairns Great Barrier Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Fitness Level Required

Low

Additional Information

Transfer quotes organised upon request

Camera, hat, sunscreen