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Queensland Dolphin & whale watching

Our most recommended Queensland Dolphin & whale watching

Whitsundays Ocean Rafting Tour: Snorkel, Walk & Whitehaven

1. Whitsundays Ocean Rafting Tour: Snorkel, Walk & Whitehaven

Ride, snorkel, and bushwalk as you embark on the perfect Whitehaven Beach tour, visiting both ends of the world-famous beach. Take off on the ride of your life in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and enjoy a guided nature walk, inner coral reef snorkeling, personalized snorkel instruction, and more. Departing from Airlie Beach, climb aboard the fastest day boat in the Whitsundays. Experience an informative ride and thrilling adventure on super fast semi-rigid inflatable vessels capable of speeds of up to 35 knots (65 kilometers per hour). Select the North Whitehaven option for an eco-adventure popular amongst avid snorkellers. This includes two different snorkel destinations, a visit to the beach at Hill Inlet, and a guided National Park walk to the lookout above the silica sand of Whitehaven. Select the South Whitehaven option for more beach time. Enjoy at least two hours of relaxing on the white silica sand, and a guided walk to Hill Inlet for breathtaking views of the tropical waters. Snorkel for over an hour amid corals and fringing reefs. Whatever option you choose, enjoy the only tour in the Whitsundays to have direct access to Hill Inlet beaches at Whitehaven. Have peace of mind by traveling with an advanced ecotourism-certified, climate change business and green travel leader. A tropical lunch pack is available to be pre-booked at the check out and paid for on the day of the tour. Water, soft drinks, beer, fruit juices, and chocolates are also available for sale on board or you can bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and lunch.

Moreton Island: Dolphin and Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise

2. Moreton Island: Dolphin and Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise

Discover Moreton Bay Marine Park and learn about marine life from an onboard marine naturalist on this cruise. Go on a guided snorkeling tour of the Tangalooma wrecks and keep an eye our for the dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles that call this glamour area home. Choose from a tour where you meet the boat at the Rivergate Marina or with pickup from the Gold Coast or Brisbane. Throw your swimwear into a bag and set sail to uncover miles of unspoiled white sand beaches. Departing daily from Brisbane, cruise in luxury to Moreton Bay Marine Park aboard the modern, air-conditioned catamaran Spirit of Migaloo II. Here enjoy the freedom to do as much or as little as you please with all activities included and no local fees. Dive in and snorkel the fifteen shipwrecks that have been deliberately sunk just off the coastline with an abundance of spectacular coral formations and colorful marine life that needs to be seen to be believed. No experience is required and all equipment and water safety items are provided. Afterwards, join our naturalist guides in a fish-feeding session with the 200 species that frequent the area. Satisfy your appetite with a gourmet tropical buffet featuring ocean king prawns, and quench your thirst with a glass of local wine, craft beer or frozen cocktail. Take the time to relax, enjoy free island time on the pristine white-sand beach. Kayak on sheltered crystal-clear waters, join a game with complimentary beach sporting equipment, or simply kick back and soak in the serenity. Watch out for some of Queensland’s best marine wildlife in this area that is home to one of the largest populations of bottlenose dolphins in Australia. Feel the joy of seeing them jump and play in turquoise waters. Search for six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles and herds of shy and gentle dugongs in one of the world’s remaining strongholds for this species. Get help from the onboard marine naturalists that have been working with these incredible animals for over a decade and have the experience to give you the closest wildlife encounters possible.

Hervey Bay: Scenic Fraser Island Fun Cruise

3. Hervey Bay: Scenic Fraser Island Fun Cruise

Hop onboard the boat in Hervey Bay and set sail to the UNESCO listed Fraser Island, known for its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Cruise along the west coast of the island, and admire stunning views of its shoreline. Highlights of the trip include Pelican Banks, Moon Point, Big Woody Island, and more (depending on tidal conditions). As you glide through the ocean, look out for dolphins, sea turtles, and the mysterious dugong.  Sunbathe on deck while soaking up the sights, or cool off with a dip in the sea. Have fun in the boat’s built-in boom-net, which provides a safe space to play in the water. At the end of a magical 3 hour adventure, return to the port in Hervey Bay.

Hervey Bay: Turtle Discovery Eco Tour & Cultural Experience

4. Hervey Bay: Turtle Discovery Eco Tour & Cultural Experience

Dive deep into the indigenous culture while cruising the bluest shallows and exploring the wildlife and unique beauty that surrounds the Great Sandy Straits on this turtle discovery tour. Begin your eco-tour at 10:30 AM onboard a 10-meter glass-bottom vessel. Travel through the spectacular waterways of the Great Sandy Marine Park, with stops at Round Island and Big Woody Island, and coral reefs for snorkeling and viewing through the glass panels. Enjoy time spent on the islands where you can swim or snorkel in crystal clear waters, play a game of beach cricket or take the opportunity to relax on the sandy beaches. Immerse yourself in the Butchulla culture with our local Indigenous guide. Gain a whole new perspective and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Fully immerse yourself in the captivating stories from your guide. Or choose to relax and take in the views. Prepare to be transported to another time and place as your guide explains how they were taught to look to the elements, and further afield, to the stars for signs. It’s a breathtaking moment that will live on long after your gentle journey back to the dock. Snorkel and see if you can spot turtles, dolphins, dugongs, sea birds, and other marine life. Sneak off to your own private corner of a picture-perfect beach. Walk where the crystal blue water meets the white sand and spinifex grass. As you travel through the Straits, join the search for fish habitat amongst the coral reef, turtles, dolphins, sea bird colonies, and possibly a reef shark or dugong.

Rainbow Beach: Kayaking with Dolphins and Beach 4WD Tour

5. Rainbow Beach: Kayaking with Dolphins and Beach 4WD Tour

Begin your 3-hour adventure with a 4WD beach drive in the Great Sandy National Park. Head to the spectacular Double Island Point to enjoy scenic views of Fraser Island and the colored sands of Rainbow Beach. Afterward, head out on a relaxed kayaking tour around the headland as you admire the beauty of the natural surroundings and take in the Double Island Point Lighthouse from a unique perspective. Keep an eye out for the curious bottlenose dolphin pods who are often seen in this area, feeding on large schools of fish. Also, see local and migrating wildlife, including humpback whales (June-November), turtles, manta rays, stingrays, soldier crabs in their thousands, and migrating sea birds.

Airlie: Adventure Jet Ski Tour From Airlie Beach

6. Airlie: Adventure Jet Ski Tour From Airlie Beach

Get your adrenaline rushing with a 1.5-hour jet ski adventure from Airlie Beach. Delight in the informative and entertaining commentary provided by your qualified tour guide, and spot sea turtles in the turquoise waters. Depart from Airlie Beach and drive your latest model Sea-Doo jet ski out to view the Whitsunday Islands from the protection of the coastline. Explore Airlie's beautiful bays and the picturesque world heritage Whitsunday Island Marine Park. Keep your eye out for the area's famous turtles, as well as dugongs, seabirds, and seasonal humpback whales from July to September. Take home memories of your experience with free of charge photos provided on Facebook after your tour. No license is required for this tour, and no experience is necessary.

Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter

7. Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter

This half-day whale watch cruise departs twice daily from the Hervey Bay Marina on the luxury 20-meter catamaran Tasman Venture. Experience a tranquil cruise across the Great Sandy Strait and past rugged islands before sailing along the pristine western side of World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. The catamaran was specifically designed for whale watching, offering clear viewing decks, underwater viewing windows and a unique water-level viewing platform for the ultimate personal experience. Enjoy once-in-a-lifetime up-close and personal encounters with the majestic humpback whales and marvel at their sheer size and athleticism. Friendly, experienced staff will provide expert commentary throughout the tour and serve a morning or afternoon tea and delicious antipasti platter.

Fraser Island 4-Hour Eco-Sailing Adventure

8. Fraser Island 4-Hour Eco-Sailing Adventure

Spend a morning exploring the Fraser Coast’s natural environment, discover playful marine life and create memories to last a lifetime. With more than 30 years’ experience, Blue Dolphin Marine Tours offers unbeatable marine and adventure tours in Queensland on a comfortable, multi-award-winning sailing vessel. On this 4-hour adventure you’ll cruise the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait and explore the unspoiled west coast of World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and the pristine Pelican Bank. You’ll head to the heart of the dolphin playground and with a focus on discovering the abundant marine life, you’re likely to encounter pods of bottlenose dolphins, Australian humpback dolphins and even dugongs, fish and turtles. There will be ample time to swim in the inviting waters off Fraser Island or Pelican Bank, try out the boom net on the back of the boat, test your balance or simply relax on the exclusive AquaMat.

Hervey Bay: Sunset Cruise to Great Sandy Marine Park

9. Hervey Bay: Sunset Cruise to Great Sandy Marine Park

Relax on a tranquil evening cruise from Hervey Bay into the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park. This is the perfect appetizer for your evening ahead. Nothing beats watching the sunset at sea and the experience of returning to the port at dusk. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne as you soak up the changing colors of the bay. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and other wildlife that frequent the Marine Park at dusk. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset. Early evening is a special time to be on the water as marine wildlife of the harbor comes out to play. You will find the peacefulness of the water perfectly reflecting the evening light, and the lights of Hervey Bay twinkling in the distance mesmerizing.

Hervey Bay Champagne Sunset Sail

10. Hervey Bay Champagne Sunset Sail

A luxury yacht invites you to sit back and relax as you’re taken on this Champagne Sunset Sail. Soak up the panoramic views of Hervey Bay and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Watch a spectacular sunset cast shadows of amber and gold on the Great Sandy Strait. Enjoy a 90-minute sail along the calm waters of Hervey Bay and around Fraser Island. Choose your favorite drink from the sparkling wine, beer, wine and soft drinks available. Savor the delicious finger foods, and sit back, relax and unwind. The Blue Dolphin Marine Tours Champagne Sunset Sail provides the perfect setting for a magical sunset in a tropical paradise.

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What people are saying about Queensland

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 97 reviews

The whole exp was great !! We were picked from Gold Coast on tym & the operator was so nice to talk . She was very polite & made our journey comfortable till we reached the cruise. The staff & captain were really nice & and understanding. The food was amazing& place was really clean . The snorkelling exp was great as we never did in deep water with tide. We were to spot dolphins to our way back.We really had a fun tym!!

Tour guides very friendly and knowledgeable. Terrible weather the day we went and they did everything to make it good. Unlimited tea and coffee on board, morning tea was biscuits (arnotts). Boom net was fantastic fun. Beautiful scenery. Highly recommend.

We booked this at the last minute & so very glad we did. Affordable price & the staff were great. The kids loved swimming in the boom net. Would definitely recommend doing this cruise.

An absolutely perfect day. The events were wonderful, food delicious and staff incredible. One of my top highlights of my Australia trip.

Long trip out to the island, but captain and crew made the time pass quickly, water life sightings were great!