• Great combo package! Includes two fantastic experiences: Whale Watching and K'Gari (Fraser) Island time
• Swim with Humpback Whales Option - a true experience of a life time! Subject to conditions on the day, the option to swim with these majestic creatures may be available. Additional fee payable onboard applies.
• Whale watching guarantee - on the rare occasion we do not find whales, can happen in early or late season, your ticket is valid for any of our whale watch cruises until you see them. 

Hervey Bay full day experience combining a whale & wildlife watching tour AND K'Gari (Fraser) Island time with lunch. Join our experienced crew, over 30 years in the industry, for a fantastic day. Our vessel is equipped with hydrophones to listen to whale song.

What to Expect

This combo will please all ages; it includes two great experiences in a day. In the morning enjoy a half day Whale Watching Cruise departing from Hervey Bay followed by some quality time on K'Gari (Fraser) Island.

We depart from Great Sandy Straits Marina and check in is at 6.45am near Cafe Balena, for a 7:00am departure.

More than a whale watching tour (dolphins, turtles and seabirds are also regularly seen) with the addition of K’gari (Fraser) Island time including lunch. 

Travel through the calm waters of the Great Sandy Straits, a well-known humpback whales resting spot. Our crew is there to provide valuable knowledge on whale behaviour as well as other local marine life. This family ran business has been operated for over 30 years. 

Our purpose-built whale watching boat is ideal - not too big and not too small, just perfect! Featuring 5 viewing decks on 3 different levels to maximise your whale watching experience ensuring unobstructed views. A amphitheatre style seating on the foredecks and a wide variety of seating options throughout the vessel. We also welcome wheelchairs (fully wheelchait friendly) and prams on the main deck with no obstructions. You will be located at the very front of the boat so you are guaranteed close views of the Humpback whales. To top it all off we have hydrophones on board to listen to whale song beneath the surface.

While we search for whales why not take advantage of the morning tea and refreshments served on board with K’gari’s and Hervey Bay as backdrops. 

For guests wanting to furher their experience you will be presented with the oppotunity to swim with the whales. This is a once in a lifetime chance. This is an optional extra payable on board ($100 approx.). Please note swim with the whales can't be prebooked and the conditions have to be right (weather, whales behaviour on the day); bring a change of clothes and towels just in case.

Our next stop is Kingfisher Bay Resort, we should get there by late morning. Disembark at the jetty and enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Sandbar Bistro, with one main meal and one drink included.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy. Take advantages of the resort's facilities and explore its surroundings at your own pace. Relax by the pool, go an a self-guided walk, or enjoy a drink at the Jetty Sunset Bar. The resort also offers activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or Segway tours - all subject to availability on the day and are at an additional cost.

This combo also gives you the option to return to Hervey Bay mainland at two different times; choose either the 2:30pm or 5:00pm resort barge. The trip back takes approximately 45 minutes. and once back on mainland the Kingfisher Bay Resort courtesy bus provides transfers back to Great Sandy Straits Marina or selected accommodation.

Features and Highlights

• Full-day whale watching and K’gari Island tour in a day from  Hervey Bay
• Morning whale watching tour ran by Australia’s most experienced crew
• Travel through Great Sandy Straits, a key resting area for migrating humpback whales
• Hydrophone on board to hear whale song underwater
• Frequent sightings of other wildlife: dolphins, turtles and seabirds
• Morning tea served on board
• Informative commentary covering whale behaviour, local history and marine ecology
• Only whale watch tour that disembarks directly at Kingfisher Bay Resort
• Complimentary lunch at the Sandbar Bistro including one meal and one beer, wine or soft drink - See sample menu in our gallery
  (1 Meal + 1 Beer, Wine or Soft Drink)
• Full access to Kingfisher Bay Resort facilities including pools, spa, showers and walking trails
• Flexible return barge times at 2:30pm or 5:00pm
• Courtesy transfers back to the marina or accommodation included

Important accessibility information

Guests should have a reasonable level of mobility. Access at Kingfisher Bay Resort and during barge transfers may involve stairs, which can vary with tide levels. Heavy power wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Light foldable wheelchairs and walkers are accepted.
Weather, safety and whale sighting guarantee: trips are carefully managed based on weather and sea conditions. If conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, guests will be contacted and offered a refund or the option to rebook.
Whale sightings are highly reliable during the season but in the rare event that whales are not seen, your ticket remains valid for a future whale watching cruise until humpback whales are sighted, subject to availability.

Optional extras

Swim with the humpback whales experience, $100 per person: can't be prebooked, payable on board and pending weather and whales behaviour.
Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and/or Segway tours are subject to availability on the day and are at an additional cost.

Learn more about whales from our blog.

Again, the Hervey Bay region is THE place to be to participate in whale watching tours.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Hervey Bay

Departure Time

• Check in 6.45am
• 7:00am departure & returns via Kingfisher Bay Resort Barge at your choice of either 2:30pm or 5:00pm.
• Please wait at the Barge Departure point 15 minutes prior to the departure time you choose.
• Travel time from Resort to mainland is approx. 45 minutes.

Departure Instructions

Please ensure all guests check in at our floating office at least 15 minutes prior to your Whale Watch Cruise departure time. Our floating office is located beside Quick Cat II, at the Great Sandy Straits Marina, near Cafe Balena.

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• K'gari (Fraser Island)

Months of Operation

July - October

Days of Operation

Daily

This trips operates July to October
2026 Dates: 11th July to 18th October

Duration

10.5 hours

Available for Purchase / Hire

Exciting opportunity to Swim with the Humpback Whales - Extra $100.00 per person to be paid during the tour (Weather permitting & conditions apply)

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Additional Information

• Extra Activities at Kingfisher Bay Resort not included in package price - E.g. Kayaks, Stand up paddle boards, Segways... etc
• IMPORTANT: ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION - Please be aware that when you arrive at Kingfisher Bay Resort, guests should have a certain level of mobility to navigate sets of stairs, which may vary based on the tide level at the Jetty. Additionally, keep in mind that the return transfer to the mainland via the resort barge may also involve the use of stairs. Unfortunately, heavy power wheelchairs cannot be accommodated in these circumstances. However, we do accept light foldable wheelchairs and walkers.*
• Swim with the Whales - ensure to bring swimmers, waterproof camera and towel in case the opportunity to swim with the whales becomes available. Additional $100 fee payable onboard. Subject to conditions on the day, swim can not be guaranteed.

• Hat
• Jacket
• Sunglasses
• Enclosed shoes
• BYO snacks (if desired)
• Sense of adventure
• Camera (preferably waterproof)
• Swimwear & towel (if you are planning to swim with the whales)
• Money for drinks, snacks, souvenirs, whale swim, additional activities at Kingfisher Bay Resort if desired.
• EFTPOS is available on board.

Child prices applies to children age 4 to 14