If seeing humpback whales up close is on your Queensland bucket list, Hervey Bay should be at the top of your list.
Hervey Bay’s whale watching season generally runs from mid-July through October, when humpback whales visit the sheltered waters between Hervey Bay and K’gari during their annual migration. Unlike locations where whales are predominantly travelling past the coastline, Hervey Bay is an important stopover where whales can spend time resting and socialising.
But when is the best time to book?
July: The whales arrive
From mid-July, the first humpbacks begin appearing in Hervey Bay. Numbers generally build as the month progresses.
July can be a great choice if you’d like to experience the excitement of the beginning of whale season and combine whale watching with a winter escape to the Fraser Coast.
August: Peak whale watching
August is one of the most popular months for whale watching in Hervey Bay.
More whales are spending time in the bay, which means opportunities to see behaviours including breaching, tail slapping and spy-hopping.
If you’re visiting during August, booking your cruise ahead of time is strongly recommended.
September: Mothers and calves
As the season progresses, mothers and calves become a highlight.
Watching a mother and calf travelling or resting together can be one of the most memorable wildlife experiences you’ll have in Australia.
September is consequently another extremely popular time to visit.
October: The final weeks
October gives visitors another opportunity to see whales before the season winds down and the humpbacks continue south towards their Antarctic feeding grounds.
So, which month should you choose?
There really isn’t a bad time during Hervey Bay’s main whale season.
Choose July for the beginning of the migration, August for peak activity, September for mothers and calves, or October for a late-season encounter.
The next decision is choosing the right boat.
Experience Hervey Bay lets you compare half-day whale watching cruises, full-day adventures and whale watching packages in one place.
Ready to meet Hervey Bay’s humpbacks?
