The Tour Specialists Blog

Where and when can you swim with the Minke Whales on the Great Barrier Reef?

Swimming with dwarf minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef is one of those ultimate tick box experiences that every adventurous traveller should add to their bucket list when visiting Cairns and Far North Queensland.

These inquisitive mammals, also known as the Australian minke whale (that’s right we claimed them), migrate to the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef between June and July every year. This is the only time of year when visitors can swim with them, making it an exclusive and unforgettable experience.

How to book a swim with whale’s tour?

To swim with dwarf minke whales, visitors must book a day trip or liveaboard dive trip with a licensed operator. There are only a handful of licenced dive boat operators permitted to have these swim with whale licences and they must operate under very strict guidelines, they also are part of the team gathering information on these very rare species of whales for the research team at James Cook University in Cairns.

These swim with whale’s dive trips range from 3, 4, or 7 nights, depending on the operator and itinerary. It's recommended that visitors book far in advance as there are limited trips and limited berths that as you can imagine are in high demand and sell out quickly every year. It’s best to book a year or more in advance to ensure you get the type of cabin you prefer and the week you prefer to fit in with your travel schedule.

This popular swim with whales tour operator offer a 3-night tour that departs from Cairns and visits the Ribbon Reefs, where the whales are known to frequent. The dive and snorkel tour includes up to ten-day dives and 2-night dives (if you are game), as well as opportunities for snorkelling and swimming with the whales.

For those looking for a longer trip, this dive boat offers a 7-night tour that visits both the Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea, with even more opportunities to see these fascinating creatures.

Another tour operator that specializes in minke whale tours offer a 4-night tour that departs from Cairns and visits the remote northern Ribbon Reefs. This tour is designed specifically for swimming with dwarf minke whales, with up to sixteen dives and plenty of time to interact with the whales in their natural habitat.

It's important to note that some of these liveaboard tours are designed for experienced divers, and visitors should have a minimum of 20 logged dives. Additionally, visitors should be comfortable in open water and able to swim confidently.
 

When were they discovered?

Dwarf minke whales were first discovered by sheer accident in the 1980s off the coast of Queensland, Australia, a diver originally thought he spotted Orca’s. Early on they thought they were a subspecies of the common minke whale, but genetic testing has since revealed that they are their own distinct species, and they are not known for having great numbers of them.

These whales are smaller than other minke whales, growing up to 8 meters in length, and have a unique coloration pattern with white patches on their flippers and throat. One of the most remarkable things about dwarf minke whales is their social behaviour. Unlike other whales, they are highly inquisitive and often approach boats and swimmers, making them a popular attraction for tourists on the Great Barrier Reef. They are also known for their vocalizations, which include complex and varied patterns of moans, trills, and chirps.

The Great Barrier Reef is a world-renowned destination for diving and snorkelling, and swimming with dwarf minke whales only adds to the allure. These magnificent creatures migrate from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef each year, with an estimated 500 individuals making this journey. After spending several weeks calving and mating in the safety of the Ribbon Reefs, they return to the Southern Ocean to feed for the annual krill run.

Read more about swimming with Dwarf Minke Whales in Tropical North Queensland and discover further marine encounter experiences available on the Great Barrier Reef.