• Great combo package! Includes two fantastic experiences: Whale Watching and K'Gari (Fraser) Island time
• Swim with Humpback Whales Option - a true experience of a life time! Subject to conditions on the day, the option to swim with these majestic creatures may be available. Additional fee payable onboard applies.
• Whale watching guarantee - on the rare occasion we do not find whales, can happen in early or late season, your ticket is valid for any of our whale watch cruises until you see them. 

Full day Hervey Bay whale watching and K’gari (Fraser) Island time. Includes morning whale & wildlife spotting cruise, lunch at Kingfisher Bay Resort plus and free time on the island. 30 years experience, expert commentary and hydrophone whale song.

What to Expect

Start the day with a half day Whale Watching Cruise departing from Hervey Bay before spending some quality time on K'Gari (Fraser) Island. Check in is at 6.45am from Great Sandy Straits Marina, near Cafe Balena, for a 7:00am departure on a purpose-built whale watching vessel known for comfort, stability and experienced crew.

This experience combines marine encounters with time to relax on K’gari (Fraser Island). 

Cruise through the sheltered waters of the Great Sandy Straits and Platypus Bay, one of Australia’s most reliable humpback whale resting areas. Throughout the morning, the crew share detailed commentary on whale behaviour, migration patterns and local marine life. Hydrophones are used to listen to whale song beneath the surface, adding another layer to the experience. Dolphins, turtles and seabirds are also regularly seen.

A light breakfast, morning tea and refreshments are served on board as the vessel searches for whales against the backdrop of K’gari’s coastline and Hervey Bay’s calm waters.

On board you will be offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with the whales. This is an optional extra payable on board ($100 approx.). Please note this experience is only possible when the conditions are right (weather, whales behaviour on the day); bring a change of clothes and towels if you intend to participate.

At the conclusion of the whale watch, the vessel travels directly to Kingfisher Bay Resort on K’gari (Fraser Island), making this the only whale watching tour in Hervey Bay that includes direct access to the resort. Disembark at the jetty and enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Sandbar Bistro, with one main meal and one drink included.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the resort and its surroundings at your own pace. Guests often choose to relax by the pool, explore self-guided walking trails, or enjoy a drink at the Jetty Sunset Bar. Optional activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or Segway tours are subject to availability on the day and are at an additional cost.

You can choose to return to mainland via the resort barge at either 2:30pm or 5:00pm. The trip back is apporximately 45 minutes. On arrival, the Kingfisher Bay Resort courtesy bus provides transfers back to Great Sandy Straits Marina or selected accommodation.

Features and Highlights

• Full-day Hervey Bay whale watching and K’gari island experience in one itinerary
• Morning whale watch with Australia’s most experienced whale watch crew
• Travel through Platypus Bay, a key resting area for migrating humpback whales
• Hydrophone onboard to hear whale song underwater
• Frequent sightings of dolphins, turtles and seabirds
• Light breakfast, morning tea and onboard refreshments included
• Informative commentary covering whale behaviour, local history and marine ecology
• Only whale watch tour that disembarks directly at Kingfisher Bay Resort
• Complimentary lunch at the Sandbar Bistro including one meal and one beer, wine or soft drink - See sample menu in our gallery
  (1 Meal + 1 Beer, Wine or Soft Drink)
• Full access to Kingfisher Bay Resort facilities including pools, spa, showers and walking trails
• Flexible return barge times at 2:30pm or 5:00pm
• Courtesy transfers back to the marina or accommodation included

Important accessibility information

Guests should have a reasonable level of mobility. Access at Kingfisher Bay Resort and during barge transfers may involve stairs, which can vary with tide levels. Heavy power wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Light foldable wheelchairs and walkers are accepted.

Weather, safety and whale sighting guarantee: trips are carefully managed based on weather and sea conditions. If conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, guests will be contacted and offered a refund or the option to rebook.

Whale sightings are highly reliable during the season but in the rare event that whales are not seen, your ticket remains valid for a future whale watching cruise until humpback whales are sighted, subject to availability.

Optional extras

Don't miss out on your chance to swim with the humpback whales experience, $100 per person, payable during the tour, weather and conditions permitting.
Stand-up paddle boarding or Segway tours are subject to availability on the day and are at an additional cost.

Learn more about whales on the Great Barrier Reef from our blog.

See all whale watching tours in Hervey Bay. 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Hervey Bay

Departure Time

• Check in 6.45am
• 7:00am departure & returns via Kingfisher Bay Resort Barge at your choice of either 2:30pm or 5:00pm.
• Please wait at the Barge Departure point 15 minutes prior to the departure time you choose.
• Travel time from Resort to mainland is approx. 45 minutes.

Departure Instructions

Please ensure all guests check in at our floating office at least 15 minutes prior to your Whale Watch Cruise departure time. Our floating office is located beside Quick Cat II, at the Great Sandy Straits Marina, near Cafe Balena.

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• K'gari (Fraser Island)

Months of Operation

July - October

Days of Operation

Daily

This trips operates July to October
2026 Dates: 11th July to 18th October

Duration

10.5 hours

Available for Purchase / Hire

Exciting opportunity to Swim with the Humpback Whales - Extra $100.00 per person to be paid during the tour (Weather permitting & conditions apply)

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Additional Information

• Extra Activities at Kingfisher Bay Resort not included in package price - E.g. Kayaks, Stand up paddle boards, Segways... etc
• IMPORTANT: ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION - Please be aware that when you arrive at Kingfisher Bay Resort, guests should have a certain level of mobility to navigate sets of stairs, which may vary based on the tide level at the Jetty. Additionally, keep in mind that the return transfer to the mainland via the resort barge may also involve the use of stairs. Unfortunately, heavy power wheelchairs cannot be accommodated in these circumstances. However, we do accept light foldable wheelchairs and walkers.*
• Swim with the Whales - ensure to bring swimmers, waterproof camera and towel in case the opportunity to swim with the whales becomes available. Additional $100 fee payable onboard. Subject to conditions on the day, swim can not be guaranteed.

• Hat
• Jacket
• Sunglasses
• Enclosed shoes
• BYO snacks (if desired)
• Sense of adventure
• Camera (preferably waterproof)
• Swimwear & towel (if you are planning to swim with the whales)
• Money for drinks, snacks, souvenirs, whale swim, additional activities at Kingfisher Bay Resort if desired.
• EFTPOS is available on board.

Child prices applies to children age 4 to 14