Swim with Whales - Great Barrier Reef 2026
Swim with whales in Queensland on selected seasonal swim with whale tours from the Great Barrier Reef and Hervey Bay. From June to July, licensed Cairns and Port Douglas operators offer rare swim with Dwarf Minke whale encounters on the remote Ribbon Reefs. In Hervey Bay, selected seasonal tours may offer in-water humpback whale experiences during migration season, operated under strict wildlife guidelines. Availability is limited, so early booking is recommended. See our day tours and our liveaboard dive experiences - a life changing event on the Great Barrier Reef and not to be missed by animal lovers. Other opportunities to swim with a Minke whale may present itself on a day tor from Port Douglas if the whales are feeling friendly. There are only 2 day trip boats in Port Douglas that have the swim with whales permits so when a whale approaches the boat they will allow swimmers in the water. These are not dedicated swim with whale tours they are just a bonus to the days dedicated dive and snorkel tours. Don't leave your swim with the whales dive and snorkel tour booking to the last minute as these liveaboard boat trips sell out fast.
Whale Tours
Swim with Whales
Swim with whales in Queensland on selected seasonal swim with whale tours from the Great Barrier Reef and Hervey Bay. From June to July, licensed Cairns and Port Douglas operators offer rare swim with Dwarf Minke whale encounters on the remote Ribbon Reefs. In Hervey Bay, selected seasonal tours may offer in-water humpback whale experiences during migration season, operated under strict wildlife guidelines. Availability is limited, so early booking is recommended.
See our day tours and our liveaboard dive experiences - a life changing event on the Great Barrier Reef and not to be missed by animal lovers. Other opportunities to swim with a Minke whale may present itself on a day tor from Port Douglas if the whales are feeling friendly. There are only 2 day trip boats in Port Douglas that have the swim with whales permits so when a whale approaches the boat they will allow swimmers in the water. These are not dedicated swim with whale tours they are just a bonus to the days dedicated dive and snorkel tours. Don't leave your swim with the whales dive and snorkel tour booking to the last minute as these liveaboard boat trips sell out fast.
Frequently asked questions about Swim with Whales
Can you swim with whales in Queensland?
Yes. Queensland offers limited licensed swim with whales experiences, including Dwarf Minke whale encounters on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns and Port Douglas, and selected humpback whale swim tours in Hervey Bay.
Where can you swim with Dwarf Minke whales?
Dwarf Minke whale swim experiences operate on the northern Great Barrier Reef, mainly around the remote Ribbon Reefs, during June and July.
Can you swim with humpback whales in Hervey Bay?
Yes. Selected Hervey Bay tours offer seasonal in-water humpback whale experiences during the annual migration, operated under strict Queensland wildlife guidelines.
What is the difference between Dwarf Minke whale swims and humpback whale swims?
Dwarf Minke whale swims operate from Cairns and Port Douglas on the Great Barrier Reef in June and July. Humpback whale swim experiences operate seasonally in Hervey Bay during the migration season generally mid July - October.
Where are the best swim-with-whales experiences in Queensland?
Queensland’s key swim-with-whales destinations are the Ribbon Reefs for Dwarf Minke whale encounters and Hervey Bay for seasonal humpback whale swim experiences.
Do you need to be a diver to swim with whales?
No. Many swim with whales tours are suitable for snorkellers, although guests should be confident swimmers and comfortable in open water.
Are swim with whales tours safe?
Yes. Licensed operators follow strict marine park permits, safety procedures and wildlife interaction guidelines to protect both guests and whales.
Can whale encounters be guaranteed?
No. Whale encounters are natural wildlife experiences and cannot be guaranteed. Operators travel to known seasonal areas to maximise the chance of sightings and safe in-water interactions.
What is the difference between whale watching and swimming with whales?
Whale watching tours observe whales from the vessel. Swim with whales tours may allow guests into the water when conditions, permits and whale behaviour make it safe and appropriate.
Are swim-with-whales tours suitable for beginners?
These tours are best suited to confident swimmers with basic snorkelling ability. Some liveaboard experiences involve deeper reef locations and longer time in open water.
What should I bring on a swim-with-whales tour?
Bring swimwear, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, warm clothing, seasickness medication if required, and an underwater camera. Most tours provide snorkelling equipment.
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