Best Time For Whale Watching In Gold Coast

When's the best time?

The whale watching season in the Gold Coast runs from May to November each year.

Cruises and tours run during the main part of the season usually from around 1 June to 31 October.

Most importantly, people ask about when the best time to see the whales is, and the real answer is during the months of June, July, August, September and October.

People want to be sure they won't waste their money on a whale watching cruise and not see whales.

For that reason, one of the things you should look out for when choosing your whale watching tour is a good guarantee. That way you won't be disappointed.

Obviously they cannot guarantee exactly how many whales you will see or what they will be doing, but the good ones know their reputations rely on them giving you a great experience.

There are different phases in the season where you will see different aspects of the whales on their journey past our coast.

The main types of whales seen are the Australian Humpback whales. Humpbacks are the best whales to watch because they love an audience and perform tricks!

Tail slapping, pectoral fin slaps, spy hopping or the ultimate photo opportunity is a rare full whale breach where they jump out of the water and plop back!

And you think we have fun watching them...I bet they have fun!

Best Time For Whale Watching In Gold Coast

You can take your pick of what is the best time for whale watching from the various parts of the cycle of these animals as they migrate to their breeding grounds and return along the east coast of Australia.

There are three phases of the whale watching season on the Gold Coast.

They are not black and white phases, rather a fuzzy grey between each part.

Here is a bit more information about the three phases.

Use this as a guide to work out the best time for whale watching in the Gold Coast for you.

• Early - May June July
• Mid - August September
• Late - October November

Early Whale Watching Season - May, June and July

Even though the season runs from late May to early November, there is a definite cycle to what you will see.

The first humpback whales start passing the Gold Coast from mid to late May.  We usually get warning as they stop off for some sightseeing in Sydney first!  That is usually when the first excitement starts to build!

There is a big research centre at Byron Bay, and they monitor whale activity including numbers and do other useful research.

There is a pure white humpback whale that has been named Migaloo. You'd be very lucky to spot him! In 2009 he passed through in early July, but hadn't been seen for a couple of years prior.

The whales migrate from Antarctic waters up the east coast of Australia to warmer water for breeding and giving birth. It is a 5,000 km trip and they don't eat!

During these months you will usually see whales only going north.

Mid Season for Whale Watching - August & September

During August and September you will start to see humpback whales heading back south. There are still some whales going north.

You will mostly see only adult or juvenile whales at this point with the occassional mother and calf.

The numbers of calves will increase the later in the season it is.

The mothers and calves usually stay in the warmer waters until the calves are a bit older and stronger and have learnt some tricks!

The numbers of mothers and calves heading south increase during mid to late September.

Late Whale Watching Season On Gold Coast - October & November

By this stage you should only see whales heading south to the Summer in the Antarctic. You are more likely to see mothers and calves at this point. This is probably the best time for whale watching to see the calves and mothers together.

You may also see some Orcas or Killer Whales.  Orca head north in search of easy humpback prey. They hunt down the humpbacks in packs and will pick off the calves if they can.

This is nature, but it seems devastating when you realise that once they kill the humpbacks they only eat the lips and tongues.  Having said that the lips and tongues can be up top 4 tonnes in an adult humpback!

The rest of the humpback is then eaten by other ocean inhabitants such as sharks, other fish and marine birds - grateful for the free lunch.

This isn't something I particularly want to see.  When we lived in Victoria I can remember several news stories of whale carcasses floating in the waters of Victoria and South Australia, so these hunts are more likely to occur down there.

Orcas can be seen off the Gold Coast at either end of the season.  It is not the norm - so don't come expecting to see them, but be pleasantly surprised if you do.

The best time for whale watching on Gold Coast?

You pick - you decide what you would like to see.  I don't have a favourite time, because every day is different and wonderful. Just get out there and see these beautiful creatures.

Whale Watching Tours

Whale watching tours run throughout the season. Mostly from late May or early June through to early November.  Most tours have pretty good sighting records and always look out for the guarantees they offer.  

What you see will depend upon many things including the weather, the whales on the day and the point in the season.

Check out all Gold Coast Whale Watching Tours.