Whale Watching Gold Coast Options

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Use this website to get all the information you need to plan your perfect Gold Coast holiday, or simply click here to get planning cheat sheets, tips & tools to make it easier!

AND, to make it super easy here are our main booking partners for hotels and for tours, tickets, theme parks and activities with all the latest deals & up-to-date information.

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Gold Coast Whale Watching Season is CLOSED FOR 2022!

2022 Whale Watching season is now CLOSED on Gold Coast.

Whale Watching Season from usually from late May and runs through to early November.

Check out the booking options for Whale Watching including current deals as they become available, often with huge savings.

Whale Watching In Gold Coast

Whale Watching Gold Coast Options To Save Money

Humpback whales are the most amazing creatures to watch.There is no better way to see them, than right there on the water alongside them.

The Gold Coast has many options to see these beautiful mammals with several reputable tour operators who are careful in their approach to these graceful giants.

It can be confusing trying to figure out how to get the most from your holiday dollars with all the different things you can do.

However, there are some great combo passes which include Whale Watching with other attractions and activities.

Here are some of the best options available, scroll down for a wide range of options...

* If you read all the information or you get lost in it, you can always ask me directly anything I haven't covered. The easiest way is to email me through my contact form.

Whale Watching in Gold Coast

The Magnificent Whales on Gold Coast

Current Top Options Whale Watching In Gold Coast

Here's a selection of the best current deals at the moment for the whale watching in Gold Coast. Please check here for all whale watching options including Coolangatta option for those staying in southern Gold Coast.

  • Sea World Whale Watch Latest Deals

    Sea World Whale Watching
    POPULAR OPTION

    This cruise is ALWAYS POPULAR with a well respected cruise operator.

    Morning cruise goes every day during season. Lots of parking close by and easy to get to using shuttle buses, or public transport.

    Sea World Whale Watch

    Great Value for Visitors

    Adult
    $99.00
    Child (3-13)
    $79.00
    Family (2A 2C)
    $300.00


     

    Sea World Whale Watch

    Sea World Whale Watch Season Options

    Sea World Whale Watching Cruise

    This popular cruise is often fully booked, so it is worth booking ahead, especially during school holidays.

    Sea World Whale Watch is a popular option, because it is easily recognisable, it has a large boat and is backed by the professionalism of Sea World.

    Sea World Whale Watch Cruises are available in the morning from 10am to 12.30pm and sometimes in the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm (though you will need to check for dates and availability on the links provided).

    You will need to arrange transfers to get to the Sea World Cruise Terminal - which is in the car park of Sea World. You can use the standard Sea World theme park transfer for the morning cruise.

    This season there are two cruises daily. The morning cruise departs around 10am returning around 12.30pm. The afternoon cruise (not always available) departs around 2pm returning around 4.30pm. All cruises are dependent upon weather conditions, which is why I always recommend you plan your itinerary for your holiday beforehand and book in your cruise early in the vacation, in case it has to be rescheduled. It would be terrible to miss out on seeing the whales.

    Sea World offers the following guarantee: 'Guaranteed sightings or full refund will be provided except during the months of May and November'

    Sea World Whale Watching Cruise
    Adult $99
    Child (3-13 years) $79
    Family (2A+2Ch) $300


    Sea World Whale Watch

    Outstanding Value - no credit card or booking fees. Print your own vouchers. Mobile Vouchers Accepted.

  • Whale Watching From Surfers Paradise Great Season Opening Deal

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watching
    EASY ACCESS - GREAT VALUE

    These cruises go from the heart of Surfers Paradise, so you don't need transfers! Departs 4 times per day - two in the morning morning, a midday and an afternoon departure.

    BE QUICK. Click for more info or BOOK NOW...

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watching
    3½ hours inc. Canal Cruise
    Great Value & Options for Visitors

    Adult
    $99
    Child (0-14)
    $69
    Family (2A 2C)
    $267


     

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watch

    Whales in Paradise Cruising

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watching Cruises
    4 Cruises Per Day For Great Flexibility

    This is the only whale watching cruise that leaves from the centre of Surfers Paradise.

    If you are staying in Surfers, Broadbeach, Main Beach or even Southport, you can either walk (Surfers Paradise only) or take the new G:Link or a bus to this cruise. No need to use an attraction transfer for this one!

    If you need to drive, you can easily park across the road, under Circle on Cavill or Chevron Renaissance. Parking charges will apply.

    There are a couple of great advantages for this whale watch including the convenience of the departure location, a bonus canal cruise to see the houses of the rich and famous from the Gold Coast before you head out to see the whales and the flexibility to choose one of 4 daily cruises to see the whales.

    Cruises are just over 3 hours and depart at 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm daily. You need to be checked in at least 20 minutes before departure.

    This whale watching company offers the following guarantee: 'Guaranteed whale sightings or free return cruise.'

    All cruises are dependent upon weather conditions, which is why I always recommend you plan your itinerary for your holiday beforehand.

    Book your cruise before you arrive in Gold Coast and make sure it is early in the vacation.


    This is in case it has to be rescheduled due to weather conditions - it would be terrible to miss out on seeing the whales.

    BE QUICK. Click for more info or BOOK NOW.

    Whale Watching from Surfers Paradise
    Adult $99
    Child (0-14 years) $69
    Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) $267

    BOOK NOW 

    Outstanding Value - no credit card or booking fees. Print your own or use mobile vouchers.

All whale watching options and combos Click Here. Other options include Dreamworld one day entry and SkyPoint Observation Deck combined with watching the whales.

Let's go through some scenarios to work out which might be your best option.

Planning To Get The Best Value From Whale Watching Gold Coast & Other Activities

You are going to need to decide upfront which theme parks you want to visit during your stay on the Gold Coast. They best way to try to explain is to use some scenarios.

Extra Note on Deals & Combos

Sometimes there may be temporary deals which may be better than those shown below, so I suggest you check out the whale watching deals and combinations and then check out the theme park deals and combinations to work out what works best for you.

Sea World Theme Park Plus Whale Watching (NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE)

If you only want to go to Sea World for one day and do whale watching, then you really cannot beat the Sea World Whale Watch & Entry Pass Combo deal as THE BEST value. This is true whether you are an individual or a family who fits in to the 2 Adults and 2 children (3 to 13 years) catergory.

Sea World Whale Watch does not permit children under 3 years on their whale watching cruises.

You can fit this all on one day with either the morning or afternoon cruise, but to get the most out of this I recommend you take the whale watching cruise on one day and then either go to Sea World on the day before your cruise or on one of the two days after the cruise. This way you will get maximum value from this with a half day whale watching cruise and a full day at Sea World.

Sea World Whale Watching Plus Sea World Entry Combo
Adult                       N/A
Child (3-13)            N/A
Senior (Aus/NZ)      N/A
Family (2A 2C)       N/A

Sea World Plus Whales & Dreamworld or WhiteWater World

If you want to go to Dreamworld and/or WhiteWater World as well as doing the whale watch - currently there are no combination passes.

Whale Watching PLUS Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE)

If you love animals then this one is a crowd pleaser! Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of my MUST DOs with visitors. If you want to cuddle a koala, feed the kangaroos and emus by hand and see lots of Australian animals, then this is a full day for all the family to enjoy.

Whale watching from Surfers Paradise departs daily at 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm and includes a bonus canal cruise.

Your Currumbin Wildlife ticket will give you entry to the sanctuary and I suggest planning to spend a whole day at this attraction - there are many shows to watch as well as animals to see and activities to take part in.

Combine this pass with a combo theme park pass for extra value and a pretty full holiday itinerary!

Whale Watching PLUS Sea World, MovieWorld and/or Wet n Wild

This is the most complicated of all the options if you want to go to Sea World and Movie World and/or Wet n Wild World as well as doing a whale watch.

The best options for visiting more than one of these theme parks are:

If you choose any of these options, then you are doubling up on your Sea World Entry if you get the Sea World Whale Watch & Sea World Entry pass.

You can either purchase just the Sea World whale watching ticket or you can consider one of the other whale watching deals.


These are just our main selections from the whale watching options available. Check out these and other options here.

 Gold Coast Local Information 

Current Top Options Whale Watching In Gold Coast

Here's a selection of the best current deals at the moment for the whale watching in Gold Coast. Please check here for all whale watching options including Coolangatta option for those staying in southern Gold Coast.

  • Sea World Whale Watch Latest Deals

    Sea World Whale Watching
    POPULAR OPTION

    This cruise is ALWAYS POPULAR with a well respected cruise operator.

    Morning cruise goes every day during season. Lots of parking close by and easy to get to using shuttle buses, or public transport.

    Sea World Whale Watch

    Great Value for Visitors

    Adult
    $99.00
    Child (3-13)
    $79.00
    Family (2A 2C)
    $300.00


     

    Sea World Whale Watch

    Sea World Whale Watch Season Options

    Sea World Whale Watching Cruise

    This popular cruise is often fully booked, so it is worth booking ahead, especially during school holidays.

    Sea World Whale Watch is a popular option, because it is easily recognisable, it has a large boat and is backed by the professionalism of Sea World.

    Sea World Whale Watch Cruises are available in the morning from 10am to 12.30pm and sometimes in the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm (though you will need to check for dates and availability on the links provided).

    You will need to arrange transfers to get to the Sea World Cruise Terminal - which is in the car park of Sea World. You can use the standard Sea World theme park transfer for the morning cruise.

    This season there are two cruises daily. The morning cruise departs around 10am returning around 12.30pm. The afternoon cruise (not always available) departs around 2pm returning around 4.30pm. All cruises are dependent upon weather conditions, which is why I always recommend you plan your itinerary for your holiday beforehand and book in your cruise early in the vacation, in case it has to be rescheduled. It would be terrible to miss out on seeing the whales.

    Sea World offers the following guarantee: 'Guaranteed sightings or full refund will be provided except during the months of May and November'

    Sea World Whale Watching Cruise
    Adult $99
    Child (3-13 years) $79
    Family (2A+2Ch) $300


    Sea World Whale Watch

    Outstanding Value - no credit card or booking fees. Print your own vouchers. Mobile Vouchers Accepted.

  • Whale Watching From Surfers Paradise Great Season Opening Deal

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watching
    EASY ACCESS - GREAT VALUE

    These cruises go from the heart of Surfers Paradise, so you don't need transfers! Departs 4 times per day - two in the morning morning, a midday and an afternoon departure.

    BE QUICK. Click for more info or BOOK NOW...

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watching
    3½ hours inc. Canal Cruise
    Great Value & Options for Visitors

    Adult
    $99
    Child (0-14)
    $69
    Family (2A 2C)
    $267


     

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watch

    Whales in Paradise Cruising

    Surfers Paradise Whale Watching Cruises
    4 Cruises Per Day For Great Flexibility

    This is the only whale watching cruise that leaves from the centre of Surfers Paradise.

    If you are staying in Surfers, Broadbeach, Main Beach or even Southport, you can either walk (Surfers Paradise only) or take the new G:Link or a bus to this cruise. No need to use an attraction transfer for this one!

    If you need to drive, you can easily park across the road, under Circle on Cavill or Chevron Renaissance. Parking charges will apply.

    There are a couple of great advantages for this whale watch including the convenience of the departure location, a bonus canal cruise to see the houses of the rich and famous from the Gold Coast before you head out to see the whales and the flexibility to choose one of 4 daily cruises to see the whales.

    Cruises are just over 3 hours and depart at 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm daily. You need to be checked in at least 20 minutes before departure.

    This whale watching company offers the following guarantee: 'Guaranteed whale sightings or free return cruise.'

    All cruises are dependent upon weather conditions, which is why I always recommend you plan your itinerary for your holiday beforehand.

    Book your cruise before you arrive in Gold Coast and make sure it is early in the vacation.


    This is in case it has to be rescheduled due to weather conditions - it would be terrible to miss out on seeing the whales.

    BE QUICK. Click for more info or BOOK NOW.

    Whale Watching from Surfers Paradise
    Adult $99
    Child (0-14 years) $69
    Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) $267

    BOOK NOW 

    Outstanding Value - no credit card or booking fees. Print your own or use mobile vouchers.

DREAM IT

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Why not start with all that the Gold Coast has to offer.

PLAN IT

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You can do it yourself using the resources on this website by starting here.

Or you can cut some corners and get my travel planning sheets and extra resources.

BOOK IT

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