Tour Highlights
- 2025 Cairns Whale Watching Cruises: 14th July to 22nd August
- This is not only a whale watching tour in Cairns but also an island tour where you can spend up to 2.5 hours on Fritzroy Island and enjoy a 90 minutes whale watching tour
- Cairns ONLY dedicated whale watching tour. Operates during the months of July & August during whales annual migration.
Description & Tour Inclusions
Included In Price
- Two departures: 8.30am & 10.45am
- 45 minute catamaran transfer to Fitzroy Island
- Up to 2.5 hours free time on Fitzroy Island
- 90 minute whale watching tour
Cairns’ Whale Watching Tour with the added bonus of free time on Fitzroy Island. Operating daily from 14 July 2025 to 22 August 2025, this tour includes up to 2.5 hours of leisure time to explore Fitzroy Island.
Cairns Whale Watching Tours
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness these gentle giants in our tropical waters. Join Cairns’ only dedicated Whale Watching Tour combined with time to explore stunning Fitzroy Island. Operating exclusively during the annual Humpback Whale migration, this is your chance to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles in the clear tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Our premium catamaran is designed for comfort and stability, providing the perfect platform for observing these magnificent creatures in their natural environment. With flexible departure options, you can tailor your day to include both whale watching and free time on Fitzroy Island.
What to Expect
Step aboard one of Cairns’ most modern and stable catamarans and set course for the open waters of the Great Barrier Reef, just beyond the coastline of Tropical North Queensland. The day’s main attraction is the awe-inspiring display of Humpback Whales as they migrate through these warm reef waters to breed and nurture their young.
During the cruise, you’ll have excellent opportunities to observe these whales up close, breaching, tail-slapping, and interacting with their pods ; all while enjoying informative commentary from experienced marine naturalists.
Travellers have the flexibility to choose from two departure times:
- OPTION 1: check in 8.00am - Departs 8.30am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 9.15am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 2.00pm - Arrives Cairns 2.50pm
Passengers can jump on the 4pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 16:50. - OPTION 2: check in 10.15am - Departs 10.45am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 11.30am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 4.00pm - Arrives Cairns 4.50pm
Passengers can jump on the 42.00pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 2.50pm.
Your onboard experience is designed for maximum enjoyment and education, with plenty of outdoor viewing space and expert commentary offering fascinating insights into whale behaviours and the surrounding Great Barrier Reef ecosystem.
Features and Highlights
- Cruise on a purpose-built, premium stable catamaran for a smooth ride.
- Witness the Humpback Whale migration in the waters off Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Choose from two flexible departure times, combining whale watching with free time on Fitzroy Island.
- Live on board commentary by knowledgeable marine experts.
- Spacious viewing decks perfect for capturing photographs and unobstructed whale sightings.
- Ideal for nature lovers, families, and photography enthusiasts.
- Short, convenient departure from Cairns Marina.
Cairns Whale Watching Season 2025
The 2025 Cairns Whale Watching Season will operate daily from 14th July to 22nd August.
July and August are prime months for whale watching in Tropical North Queensland, coinciding with the arrival of Humpback Whales and Dwarf Minke Whales migrating to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef to mate and give birth.
Although sightings can occasionally extend into September depending on sea temperatures, tours traditionally conclude at the end of August.
With only a short window each year to experience this phenomenon, advance bookings are highly recommended.
Fitzroy Island Experience
Fitzroy Island is a lush, rainforest-clad island surrounded by coral reefs and turquoise waters—perfect for a relaxing island escape.
During your time on Fitzroy Island, you may choose to:
- Hire snorkelling equipment to explore the vibrant coral gardens.
- Take a glass-bottom boat tour (available with the 8:30am departure).
- Hike to Nudey Beach, consistently voted one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches.
- Follow the scenic lighthouse trail through the island’s tropical rainforest.
- Relax at Foxy’s Bar & Café with a cool drink and freshly prepared meal.
- Pre-order a picnic lunch box for a laid-back beachside lunch.
Whether you prefer adventure or relaxation, this tour offers the ultimate balance of Cairns Whale Watching and island exploration.
See all whale watching tours on the Great Barrier Reef.
See all swim with the Minke whale tours in Cairns.
Read all the things you need to know before you go swimming with whales and on whale watching tours on the Barrier Reef Australia Blog.
Tour Details
Tour Languages Offered
English
EnglishDeparts From
Cairns
Departure Time
- OPTION 1: check in 8.00am - Departs 8.30am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 9.15am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 2.00pm - Arrives Cairns 2.50pm
- Passengers can jump on the 4pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 16:50.
- OPTION 2: check in 10.15am - Departs 10.45am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 11.30am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 4.00pm - Arrives Cairns 4.50pm
- Passengers can jump on the 42.00pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 2.50pm.
Departure Instructions
Check in 30 minutes prior to departure
Destinations
- Fitzroy Island
- Fitzroy Island & known whale hot-spots
Months of Operation
July - August
Days of Operation
Daily
2025 Season: 14th July to 22nd August
Daily during whale season (approx July - August)
Duration
5 hours
Available for Purchase / Hire
- Glass bottom boat tour - Please note glass bottom boat is only available on the 8:30am departure
- Snorkel equipment hire
- Picnic lunch
Fitness Level Required
Low
Eco Certifications
What to Bring
- Hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, something to swim in, a dry change of clothes, cash or credit card for optional activities and onboard purchases such as souvenirs, professional photos from our on-board photographer or a drink from the bar.
- Fitzroy Island has coral beaches, shoes or flip-flops are a good idea
Child Policy
Child price applies to children 4 to 14
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing.
We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.
In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.
Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.
Additional Tour Operator's T&Cs
You can cancel or amend your tour to a different date (subject to availability) if you notify us 48 hours or more prior to travel.
If you need to cancel or change dates within 48 hours of travel a 100% cancellation fee applies
Please note a ‘no show’ (where passengers do not turn up to the specified pick-up point or departure point without notification) automatically incurs a 100% cancellation fee.
On very rare occasions, tours can be subject to the effect of weather or unforeseen circumstances. If a tour does not operate for any reason, passengers will be offered a full refund or an alternative day of travel.
Tours are conducted in known whale hot-spots and timed to coincide with the peak sighting period for Humpback Whales in Cairns. Despite our best efforts and greater than 90% sightings record, whale encounters can not be guaranteed and refunds are not available in the event whales are not seen. Tours are weather dependent and may need to be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice.
Whale Watching Tours Cairns only accepts liability to the extent of any loss or damage sustained by you as a result of our negligence or that of our agents or employees;
Whale Watching Tours Cairns does not accept liability for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by events which are beyond our control or which are not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part:
Whale Watching Tour Cairns acts as a private carrier and reserves the right to refuse passage to any person and/or baggage.
Whale Watching Tours Cairns will not accept unchecked baggage, fragile or perishable items, money, cameras, electronic equipment, jewelry, business documents, passports or the other valuables. Unchecked baggage and your other personal property is at your own risk at all times
Whale Watching Tours Cairns may, in the event of increased security risk be required to implement heightened security measures including bag or personal searches.
Videos and photographs purchased through Experience Co remain the copyright of Experience Co and they retain the right to the footage and photographs.
Such footage maybe used by Experience Co for company marketing purposes and reproductions of videos sold.
Video footage and photographs may only be used or reproduced by the purchaser or recipient for private or domestic purposes and must not be used for any commercial purpose, including promotion of any supplier or any supplier’s products or services without Experience Co’s prior permission.
Should you not want any of your footage or photographs uploaded to Experience Co’s social media platforms, or used in company marketing, it is your responsibility to advise photographer or videographer on day of travel.
From
au$155.00
Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.
Child:
au$89.00
Family: au$399.00
Tour Code: 269
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