Season:
The majority of operators start their Humpback Whale Watching season late May, early June but we find the numbers, here on the Sunshine Coast, at that time of the year are very low in comparison to the later months so we start in July and finish at the end of October.
We are all very excited to see the whales and want to get out in search of them but that is exactly what it is if you go too early. It becomes a whale searching trip rather than a whale watching trip.
During the months of mid May, June & July the whales are migrating north towards the Whitsundays to mate and give birth. This is a good time to see the whales but we do have to travel out wider to see them at this time of the season.
August is a month where some whales are heading north and some have started back south so it is a particularly good time of year to venture out. Some of our best sightings have been in August.
September and October see the full extent of the southern migration, we tend to see many more mothers and the calves relax, rest and very often play, which is an absolute delight for all! If we had to choose a single month to name as the best month to go Whale Watching it would be September heads and shoulders above all other months!
No two whale watching journeys are the same, with an unforgettable experience occurring during the whole whale watching season.
This cruise is about venturing out into nature so the outcome is 100% on the whales terms.
The best time to cruise on is when you are relaxed and have time to unwind, enjoy and learn.
Time of Day:
People always want to know if whale watching is better in the morning or the afternoon. To be completely honest there is really no ‘better time.’
We would recommend you choose your cruise depending on your family situation. Do you like to sleep in? How far have you got to travel? Are the kids up early and ready to get going in the morning? Would you prefer to return close to sunset and a cold drink in hand?
As a general rule, the ocean is calmer in the mornings.
There appears to be no rhyme or reason to the whales antics and activity at any particular time, they basically do what they want when they want.
So anytime is the best time to watch whales!
If you are looking for the best scenic light for photography, choose a morning cruise as the light doesn’t seem to be as impacted on the position on the vessel as it does in the afternoon.
