- Brief description: Hervey Bay is one of the best places to see the Humpback whales that approach Australian coasts from the end of July until November. To see them, you have to take one of the cruises out of Hervey Bay. Between August and October, a sighting is guaranteed!
- Hours: we recommend taking the half-day tour that departs in the afternoon (13:00-14:00 depending on the company). You can also go in the morning (7:30-8:30 depending on the company).
- How to book the humpback whale cruise: we recommend making a reservation before arriving in Hervey Bay. You can do it either on-line before travelling, or in one of the booking offices spread all around Airlie Beach. The prices are very similar. There are tickets for just whale watching or a ticket that combines a half-day whale watch with a whole-day visit to Fraser Island. We recommend the latter.
- Our recommended company is Whalesong: we like them because their vessels are smaller (they take less people), and the deck is at sea level (you can have the whales really close). Furthermore, they offer the best prices (100 AU$ for the whale tour and 260 AU$ for the combination with Fraser Island). If you can afford it, they have an option to do Fraser Island by 4WD Hummer (max 4 people) for 345 AU$ (including the whale tour). They always include food and transfers to/from hotel.
- Another very good option is Tasman Venture: they are a bit more expensive (whale tour for 115 AU$ - combination with Fraser Island for 279-299 AU$), but their vessels are better, have underwater viewing rooms and access to a viewing platform (if the other tourists let you in:-). They also offer Fraser Island by Hummer for 365 AU$. They include food and transfers in all their packages.
- Finally we have Spirit of Hervey Bay, they have big and wonderfull vessels with viewing platforms and underwater viewing rooms. The price for the whale cruise is 110 AU$ (255 AU$ if combined with Fraser Island). But they don't do afternoon cruise any more, and the experience is a bit touristy... so we don't recommend them.
