8 Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in Australia That Fill Up First

1.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Feeding

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 57 reviews · 1 day · from $162Our pick

Take the 75-minute ferry from Brisbane to Tangalooma, enjoy resort facilities, then join Eco Rangers for a three-hour whale cruise with lunch. Finish by hand-feeding a wild bottlenose dolphin at sunset, weather and dolphin attendance permitting.

“These activities were actually so interesting and attracted me! Generally, I was enjoyed with my family most of time! However, the activity of dolphin feeding was too short and rushed and we got to get changed our wet body immediately just after dolphin fed! As the ferry is going to depart @7pm and we did not managed to get everything done in such short time, especially with kids. Furthermore, if the activity of dolphin feed were started late!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Port Stephens 3 Hour Whale and Dolphin Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $62Best value

Set out from Nelson Bay on a three-hour sailing catamaran cruise to look for humpback whales, dolphins, seabirds, and fur seals near Cabbage Tree Island. Expect onboard commentary, tea or coffee, blankets, wet-weather jackets, a restroom, and a maximum group of 45 people.

“Exellent whale watching experience, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Did their best to ensure we saw as many whales as possible.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Philip Island: Dolphin and Whale Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $95

Cruise Phillip Island’s southern coast with an expert whale spotter and captain’s commentary. Look for humpback and southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and wandering albatrosses near Cape Woolamai. Tea, coffee, and cake are included, with drinks and snacks available at the licensed bar.

“Overall experience was good but due to some reasons we couldn’t sight whales. You will get to see lot of Dolphins. The cruise is noisy engine in background. 3 hrs is a bit long journey & of you don’t spot whale then its bit disappointing. The staff was courteous & had good tea n cake facility onboard. You can book on a seasonal day & good weather.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Nelson Bay: Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran Cruise

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

Sail from d'Albora Nelson Bay aboard Imagine, a 54-foot catamaran, and search for migrating humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. You get covered viewing decks, tea, coffee, warm gear, and live English commentary. Whale sightings are guaranteed from June 1 to October 31, subject to a return-cruise policy.

“Seen alot of whales, and a few dolphins. Amazing experience. Very nice boat and staff!! Would definitely do it again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Dolphin & Whale Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $96

Set out from San Remo Jetty on a three-hour catamaran cruise along Phillip Island’s wild coast. Look for humpback and southern right whales in winter, dolphins, seals at Seal Rocks, and albatross overhead. You’ll also pass Cape Woolamai Old Granite Quarry and enjoy tea, coffee, and afternoon tea onboard.

“The water was choppy with ocean waves, dipping here rising there, it was the sensation of a never ending roller coaster. The sms warned us to prepare for possible seasickness - glad we followed the advice! Our little group was fine. We saw Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Hervey Bay: Pre-season Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 5 hours · from $102

Cruise Hervey Bay’s sheltered waters on a wheelchair-accessible catamaran during the early whale season. Look for humpbacks, dolphins, dugongs, turtles, and seabirds, listen through an onboard hydrophone, and enjoy morning tea, lunch, hot drinks, Wi-Fi, and wide viewing decks.

“Very very good.Friendly and courteous staff members and even though it was an early start to the season we did see a whale and dolphins Would definitely recommend The whalesong if you are going for a day out to the whales”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Port Stephens Private Tour From Sydney, with Dolphin/ Whale Cruise Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $340

Leave central Sydney at 8:00 am with a private driver-guide, then visit Gan Gan Lookout, Nelson Bay, Little Beach, and Stockton Sand Dunes. Add a seasonal dolphin or whale cruise, sandboarding, or camel riding at your own cost. James is one named guide associated with the tour.

“Love this experience! Saw many dolphins and they are spectacular. Sandboarding was fun. Unfortunately no camel rides available. The guide, James is really nice. The only thing that viator could improve is to let us know we could swim in the cruise (the guides may not know since they are not allowed on the cruise) so we could make preparations.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin Viewing

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $147

Take a 75-minute ferry from Brisbane to Moreton Island, then join a three-hour whale cruise with commentary and light lunch. Enjoy resort pools and a sunset cocktail before viewing Tangalooma’s wild dolphins from the jetty. The sea can be rough, so plan accordingly.

“For the 7.30 ferry they make you arrive at 6.30, 6.31 you've got your ticket and sit there for 55 minutes. A person named Renee was supposed to take care of us guests asked me to wait at a certain spot, not to be seen again so I had to gather my information from elsewhere. When I found her later and asked what happened, she didnt even apologize. Instead without asking, she just snatched my paper from my hands, started ripping it apart and took one of my vouchers which I had to ask her to give back. Quite a lack of manners for someone in the service industry.”

Check availability →Read our full review