Is swimming with whales ethical? Our answer
Cooly Eco Adventures is the first operator on the Gold Coast to offer swimming with whales To confirm with Lachy: is the claim first operator on the Gold Coast to offer swimming with whales still accurate, and from what year, and it is our prime objective to give you that experience in a safe and environmentally conscious way. The heart of it is one line from our swim tour page: we don't swim with whales, the whales swim with us.
We do not chase, touch or disturb whales for the sake of getting close. We let the whales decide if they would like to interact with us.
How we choose which whales to swim with
We only run one whale swim tour a day, departing in the early morning when conditions are usually at their best. Because we are never in a rush, we take our time to search carefully for the most receptive whales. One guest, Rob Barbuto, put it well: "They knew which whales to just watch and which ones to jump in the water with." To confirm with Lachy: who decides to launch a swim, how many guides are in the water with the nine swimmers, and what ends a swim
How swimmers enter the water
The swim briefing comes in two parts. Before departure, we explain how we will attempt to swim with whales, the rules and regulations for the activity, and the do's and don'ts. The second briefing happens on the way down the river: the crew show you your gear, then run through how to enter and exit the water. We enter the water softly, quietly and as safely as we can. Swims use a 30 metre approach, and the rest is up to the whale.
Small groups, guided in the water
- A maximum of 9 swimmers in the water, accompanied by an experienced guide.
- Private charters take 1 to 9 passengers.
- Swimmers must be 15 or older, able to swim unassisted and have snorkelling experience.
- In water support from the crew is available To confirm with Lachy: are floatation devices allowed on the whale swim (the tour page offers them, terms 2.6 says no buoyancy aid).
Rules in the water
Our terms ask every whale swimmer not to touch or attempt to touch a whale, dolphin or any other sea wildlife, not to duck dive below the surface for any reason, and not to use weight belts or flash photography. Swimmers follow the crew's instructions, and anyone who breaks these rules may be asked to return to the boat for the rest of the tour.
When we do not swim
We guarantee whale sightings from the boat, but we cannot guarantee a swim, the time whales spend with us, or how close they come. Weather also plays a big part, and if we cancel for weather you can book another day. To confirm with Lachy: how long the boat may stay with one whale or pod, and how long swimmers may stay in the water
More questions
How many people swim with the whales at once?
A maximum of 9 swimmers are in the water, accompanied by an experienced guide.
