Tour Highlights
- 2025 Cairns Whale Watching Cruises: 14th July to 30th August
- This is not only a whale watching tour in Cairns but also an island tour where you can spend up to 2.5 hours on Fritzroy Island and enjoy a 90 minutes whale watching tour
- Cairns ONLY dedicated whale watching tour. Operates during the months of July & August during whales annual migration.
Description & Tour Inclusions
Included In Price
- Two departures: 8.30am & 10.45am
- 45 minute catamaran transfer to Fitzroy Island
- Up to 2.5 hours free time on Fitzroy Island
- 90 minute whale watching tour
Cairns’ only dedicated Whale Watching Tour with bonus free time on Fitzroy Island. Operating daily from 14 July 2025 to 30 August 2025. Includes up to 2.5 hours of free time to explore Fitzroy Island at your leisure.
Cairns ONLY Whale Watching Tour.
Experience an extraordinary day exploring the waters of the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns, as you journey aboard a premium, stable catamaran to witness the annual Humpback Whale migration along the Great Barrier Reef. This is an unmatched opportunity to observe these incredible creatures in their natural environment, so be sure to bring your camera.
Travellers can customise their day with flexible departure options that allow time to also explore Fitzroy Island, making this one of the most versatile whale watching tours in Cairns.
What to Expect
Your whale watching day trip begins as you step aboard our modern, purpose-built catamarans designed for a smooth and stable ride. From Cairns, the vessel sets a course towards the Great Barrier Reef, offering panoramic ocean views along the way. The focus of the day is observing the breathtaking spectacle of Humpback Whales breaching, tail-slapping, and nurturing their young as they pass through the reef waters during their seasonal migration.
Travellers have the flexibility to choose from two departure times:
- OPTION 1: check in 8.00am - Departs 8.30am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 9.15am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 2.00pm - Arrives Cairns 2.50pm
Passengers can jump on the 4pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 16:50. - OPTION 2: check in 10.15am - Departs 10.45am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 11.30am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 4.00pm - Arrives Cairns 4.50pm
Passengers can jump on the 42.00pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 2.50pm.
Throughout your tour, our experienced crew provides expert commentary on whale behaviour and local marine life, ensuring you gain fascinating insights into the marine ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef region.
Features and Highlights
- Cruise aboard a premium, stable catamaran for a comfortable experience at sea.
- Witness the awe-inspiring Humpback Whale migration in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Two flexible departure options to combine whale watching with Fitzroy Island exploration.
- Onboard marine experts deliver engaging commentary on whales and reef ecology.
- Ample viewing areas ideal for photography and unobstructed whale sightings.
- An unforgettable wildlife experience, just a short journey from Cairns.
Cairns 2025 Whale Watching Season
This year our whale watching season will start on 14th July and end on 30th August 2025.
The Cairns and Tropical North Queensland Whale watching season depends on the arrival of the whales but is usually during the months of July and August when the water is a little cooler.
Dependant on the ocean temperatures the whale season may extend into September but traditionally our tours cease at the end of August.
The Humpback Whales and Dwarf Minke Whales are here in numbers and it is here on the Great Barrier Reef, where the waters are warmer, that mating and giving birth occurs.
You only have a short period of time each year to encounter these magnificent creatures so don't miss out.
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is a tropical island covered in rainforest and surrounded by coral reefs.
On the island you have the time to hire snorkelling gear so you may explore the pristine waters and the corals around the island, or just laze about and enjoy the views.
If you chose the 8.30am departure, you can also add a glass bottom boat tour.
If you are feeling energetic, take a rainforest walk to Nudey Beach (no nude swimming) or follow the lighthouse trail.
Feeling hungry? Not a problem we can organise a picnic lunch box for you or visit Foxy's Bar and restaurant to grab a nice cool drink and some freshly prepared food.
See all whale watching tours in Queensland and swim with whale tours.
See all the things you need to know before you go on a whale watching tour here on The Tour Specialists Blog
Itinerary
Itinerary
8.30am Itinerary
- 8.30am : Depart on a 45 minute catamaran transfer to Fitzroy Island and enjoy two and half hours of free time on the island before the Whale Watching Tour. Meet back at the dock at Fitzroy Island to commence your Whale Watching experience.
- 12.00pm: Whale Watching Tour – Approx 90mins.
- 2.00pm: Depart Fitzroy Island and arrive back at Cairns at 2.50pm.
Want more time at Fitzroy Island?
Passengers can jump on the 4pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability or contact our Res dept before the day of travel to see if this is possible. Arrive back in Cairns at 16:50.
10.45am Itinerary
- 10.45am: Depart on a 45 minute catamaran transfer to Fitzroy Island before the Whale Watching Tour.
- 12.00pm: Whale Watching Tour – Approx 90mins.
- 2.00pm: 2.5 hours free time at Fitzroy Island.
OR
Don’t want to stay at Fitzroy Island after the whale watching tour?
Passengers that choose the 10.45am service not wanting any time at Fitzroy Island may have the opportunity to return on the earlier service to Cairns, this is subject to availability and cannot be booked online. Ask our team on the day. Arrive back in Cairns at 2.50pm
- 4.00pm: Depart Fitzroy Island and arrive at Cairns at 4.45pm.
Where does the Cairns Whale Watching Tour go and what should I expect to see?
Our Cairns whale watching cruise goes where the whales go, therefore we do not have a set reef or destination we head to each day on the Great Barrier Reef.
Our destination purely depends on the last whales sighting by helicopters, other fixed wing aircraft and other private charter boats.
Expect to see the ever so gracious and friendly Humpback Whales while they migrate to the warmer tropical waters of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.
Humpbacks Whales are an acrobatic animal known for breaching and slapping the water with their large tails and pectorals.
The Humpback Whale is easily identifiable with their stocky body, an obvious hump and their black dorsal colouring.
Their heads and jaws are covered with knobs, also known as tubercles.
These giant whales are between twelve and sixteen metres long and weigh around thirty-six thousand kilograms, therefore to watch one of these massive animals play within their natural habitat can be emotionally moving.
They are playful and curious creatures that are known to breach just metres from the boat, providing viewers with a spectacular display of water spray, whilst providing many fantastic photo opportunities.
If you are lucky you may get to see a mother and her calf swimming in sync.
The whale watching component of this reef tour is of course different from cruise to cruise as the Humpbacks are wild animals and their movements and behaviour is unpredictable, however your boat captain will do his very best to manoeuvre into the best possible position for some fantastic close up photography.
Whale Watching Conditions of Travel
Our Cairns Whale watching tours are conducted in known whale hot-spots and timed to coincide with the peak sighting period for Humpback Whales in Cairns. Despite our best efforts and greater than 90% sightings record, whale encounters can not be guaranteed and refunds are not available in the event whales are not seen. Tours are weather dependent and may need to be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice.
For other private charter whale watching tours and swim with whales see here
Tour Details
Tour Languages Offered
English
EnglishDeparts From
Cairns
Departure Time
- OPTION 1: check in 8.00am - Departs 8.30am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 9.15am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 2.00pm - Arrives Cairns 2.50pm
- Passengers can jump on the 4pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 16:50.
- OPTION 2: check in 10.15am - Departs 10.45am - Arrives Fitzroy Island 11.30am - Whale Watching Tour 12.00pm to 1.30pm - Departs Fitzroy Island 4.00pm - Arrives Cairns 4.50pm
- Passengers can jump on the 42.00pm if there are available spaces. Please speak to our crew on the day to see if there is availability. Arrives back in Cairns at 2.50pm.
Departure Instructions
Check in 30 minutes prior to departure
Destinations
- Fitzroy Island
- Fitzroy Island & known whale hot-spots
Months of Operation
July - August
Days of Operation
Daily
2025 Season: 14th July to 22nd August
Daily during whale season (approx July - August)
Duration
5 hours
Available for Purchase / Hire
- Glass bottom boat tour - Please note glass bottom boat is only available on the 8:30am departure
- Snorkel equipment hire
- Picnic lunch
Fitness Level Required
Low
Eco Certifications
What to Bring
- Hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, something to swim in, a dry change of clothes, cash or credit card for optional activities and onboard purchases such as souvenirs, professional photos from our on-board photographer or a drink from the bar.
- Fitzroy Island has coral beaches, shoes or flip-flops are a good idea
Child Policy
Child price applies to children 4 to 14
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing.
We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.
In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.
Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.
Additional Tour Operator's T&Cs
You can cancel or amend your tour to a different date (subject to availability) if you notify us 48 hours or more prior to travel.
If you need to cancel or change dates within 48 hours of travel a 100% cancellation fee applies
Please note a ‘no show’ (where passengers do not turn up to the specified pick-up point or departure point without notification) automatically incurs a 100% cancellation fee.
On very rare occasions, tours can be subject to the effect of weather or unforeseen circumstances. If a tour does not operate for any reason, passengers will be offered a full refund or an alternative day of travel.
Tours are conducted in known whale hot-spots and timed to coincide with the peak sighting period for Humpback Whales in Cairns. Despite our best efforts and greater than 90% sightings record, whale encounters can not be guaranteed and refunds are not available in the event whales are not seen. Tours are weather dependent and may need to be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice.
Whale Watching Tours Cairns only accepts liability to the extent of any loss or damage sustained by you as a result of our negligence or that of our agents or employees;
Whale Watching Tours Cairns does not accept liability for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by events which are beyond our control or which are not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part:
Whale Watching Tour Cairns acts as a private carrier and reserves the right to refuse passage to any person and/or baggage.
Whale Watching Tours Cairns will not accept unchecked baggage, fragile or perishable items, money, cameras, electronic equipment, jewelry, business documents, passports or the other valuables. Unchecked baggage and your other personal property is at your own risk at all times
Whale Watching Tours Cairns may, in the event of increased security risk be required to implement heightened security measures including bag or personal searches.
Videos and photographs purchased through Experience Co remain the copyright of Experience Co and they retain the right to the footage and photographs.
Such footage maybe used by Experience Co for company marketing purposes and reproductions of videos sold.
Video footage and photographs may only be used or reproduced by the purchaser or recipient for private or domestic purposes and must not be used for any commercial purpose, including promotion of any supplier or any supplier’s products or services without Experience Co’s prior permission.
Should you not want any of your footage or photographs uploaded to Experience Co’s social media platforms, or used in company marketing, it is your responsibility to advise photographer or videographer on day of travel.
From
au$155.00
Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.
Child:
au$89.00
Family: au$399.00
Tour Code: 269
Whatsapp
Facebook
Instagram