Noosa Ocean Adventures - Whale Watch

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A small, intimate whale watching cruise to see humpback whales in the waters of Noosa, with one of the most experienced whale watch skippers in Australia.

Days

2 hours

Age

Children from 6

Group size

Small group, max 12

Start / finish

Noosaville / Noosaville

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Purpose-built fast boat from Noosaville; no pick-up

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Noosa Ocean Adventures - Whale Watch

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Included experiences

Noosa coast — humpback whale watching
Front row seating — 360-degree views
Experienced whale watch skipper

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

CHECK-IN ON THE NOOSAVILLE RIVERFRONT

Your whale watch starts on Gympie Terrace in Noosaville, where you check in 30 minutes before departure for the safety briefing and collect a life jacket and, if needed, a spray jacket. The boat is purpose-built for this, with padded seats that give everyone a front row and a 360-degree view, and never more than 12 on board. Your skipper has been finding whales off this coast for more than 30 years. Times are set around the low tide, so be early, as the boat can't wait for late arrivals.

DOWN THE RIVER AND OVER THE BAR

The boat runs down the Noosa River to the Noosa Bar, the shifting sandbank at the river mouth, and crosses into open water. With powerful engines you're out where the whales are within minutes, past the headland of Noosa National Park, rather than spending half the trip getting there.

WITH THE HUMPBACKS

From July to October, humpback whales pass Noosa on a migration of about 5,000 km each way between Antarctica and the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef, where they give birth. Adults grow to about 16 metres and weigh up to 40 tonnes. Early in the season they're heading north. Later, mothers and young calves come back south, often slowly and close in. Watch for a blow on the horizon, a tail raised before a dive, or a full breach. The small boat means everyone gets the same view, and your skipper reads the whales' behaviour so you know what to look for next.

BACK TO NOOSAVILLE

Back over the bar and up the river, you're at the Noosaville jetty about two hours after you left.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Noosaville. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in and the safety briefing.
Departure time: Tours are run around low tides, so departures can't be delayed for late arrivals. There are no refunds or reschedules if the safety briefing is missed.
Fitness: Each passenger must be medically fit, with no back or neck problems, and must not be pregnant. The skipper may refuse passengers judged a safety risk or unsuitable for the tour.
Please note: Operates July to October, depending on whale sightings. Opt in to text messages when booking — that is how changes such as new departure times or weather cancellations are sent. Private charters are available.

What to bring

Hat
Sunscreen, applied before you come
Camera or phone
Wet or warm weather gear
Items in a small backpack or cross body bag — your hands need to be free to hold on

What is included

2 hour whale watching cruise
Skipper with 30 years experience
Spray jacket (if required)
Life jacket

Not included

Pick-up — meet at the departure point

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 43 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

AI summary of 43 reviews

Travellers consistently praise the knowledgeable and friendly skippers and crew who demonstrate genuine expertise and enthusiasm for whale watching, with many noting the professional and safe approach to observing marine life. The most striking aspect of the tour is the frequency and quality of wildlife sightings, particularly the humpback whales with their breaching displays, mother-and-calf interactions, dolphins and occasional turtles, combined with the thrill of riding the high-speed Thriller boat across the ocean swells. The main caveat mentioned by a small number of travellers is that the boat ride can be rough and cause mild queasiness, though even those who experienced this discomfort found the experience worthwhile.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Whales, including a mother and calf, and plenty of dolphins. A must do.

Milli Scholten Verified· Travelled 21st October 2026

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(5/5)

Thanks for sticking with it so we got to see the whales even as our time was running out. Such a fun boat too.

Demi Playfoot Verified· Travelled 21st October 2026

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(5/5)

An unforgettable time seeing whales off Noosa with a knowledgeable, experienced skipper who was professional and lots of fun.

Virginia Forsyth Verified· Travelled 14th October 2026

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(5/5)

We did the whale watching and saw loads of whales and some dolphins. Our skipper Liberty was brilliant at finding them and sharing facts, and a great driver and DJ too. The boat ride alone was worth it.

J fardouly Verified· Travelled 14th October 2026

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(5/5)

Friendly staff and so many whales, and the skipper made sure we caught a few more breaches before heading back.

Claire Taylor Verified· Travelled 14th October 2026

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(5/5)

The skipper was friendly and knowledgeable and worked hard to show us the wildlife. We saw whales, dolphins and turtles.

Vivienne Klein Verified· Travelled 12th October 2026

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