When to swim with whales

Our answer to the question we are asked most is simple: the best time to swim with whales is between the months of August and October. Humpback behaviour changes throughout the season, so the weeks you choose shape what you are likely to see.

As a guide to how a season can run, in the 2023 season our whale swims started on 15 June and ran until 8 October, while whale watching tours ran from the last weekend in May to the last day of October.

Each year between May and November the subtropical waters of Australia's east coast host around 40,000 humpback whales on migration from Antarctica. They follow the continental shelf, which runs closest to the shoreline between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, making this the prime location to see whales in their natural environment. Our FAQ puts the whales on the east coast from June to November. To confirm with Lachy: tours.json, Rezdy and the tour page say the whales pass between May and November; the FAQ says June to November. Which months should the site state, and what are this year's first and last whale swim dates?

The humpback migration is the longest mammal migration on the planet, up to 10,000 kilometres return from Antarctica. That is why we call this coast the Humpback Highway.

If you would like to try to see mothers and calves, come in late October and November. Late October overlaps the end of the best swim window, so it is worth asking us about availability.

Over the last few years the Gold Coast Bay has become a birthing and nursing ground for humpback whales, with more and more cow and calf sightings from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta. Read more in The Gold Coast Bay has become a birthing and nursing ground for humpback whales, and in our story of a curious calf in The Magic of Swimming with Whales.

For whale watching there is no best time of day. For the swim, we only run one whale swim tour a day, departing in the early morning when conditions are typically at their finest. We operate on Queensland time, one hour behind NSW while daylight saving applies (October to April), so check your booking time if you are swimming in October.

Mother Nature plays a big role in whether a tour runs. All tours are subject to tide, wind and weather, and if we cancel you will be offered another date. Whale swims must be paid in full 24 hours before departure, but call us on 1300 162 326 if you are inside that window, as we may have spare seats on our next tour. See prices and the weather policy.

Prefer to stay dry? The Gold Coast whale watching season guide covers the same migration from the boat.