Whale Encounters & K’gari’s Best-Kept Secrets
From early-July to the end of October experience the best of both worlds with whale watching and exploring K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) all in one epic day. Witness majestic humpback whales up close as they play in the calm waters of Platypus Bay, then explore the island’s hidden gems of the Western side of K’gari.
Swim in turquoise waters, kayak through serene mangroves, and take in breathtaking viewpoints. We’re the only operator with access to these locations on the Western side of the island, so you’ll be visiting a selection of locations from Awinya Creek, Bowarrady Creek or Wathumba Creek like never before.
Be amazed as whales launch themselves out of the water in breathtaking breaches or rise gracefully beside the boat for a close-up spy hop. When conditions allow, we even have the rare and unforgettable opportunity to swim alongside them in their natural habitat, an intimate and immersive experience like no other.
Itinerary
Departs: 7:30am
Returns: 4:30pm
We will start boarding our vessel for the day 15 minutes prior to departure at the Hervey Bay Marina. After a safety briefing, we’ll give you a rundown of the plan for the day’s tour before departing for our adventure.
Our tour will take us to up to three epic spots, Wathumba Creek, Awinya Creek and Bowarrady Creek. Each day our route can change up a bit, as we make sure we are visiting the different locations when the tides are in their favour. But don’t worry, the surprise just adds to the adventure.
Our expert guides are the best in the business when it comes to whale sightings. So they’ll make a call based on the conditions and locations of the whales on when you will see them, they’ll let you know when to get the camera out!
Throughout the day you’ll enjoy:
- Morning Tea
- Buffet Lunch
- Afternoon Tea
There is also a licenced bar on board for those who would like to purchase a drink, or additional snacks and souvenirs.
During our tour, all snorkelling, kayaking and tubing adventures are included in the tour. You can also choose your own adventure, if you’re looking forward to some time spent relaxing on the beach while others kayak, that’s A OK by us.
You will get to explore the Western side of K’gari, the remote and untouched part of the island most people never experience! It would take 6+ hours to drive from the ferry to where we visit.
Keep your eyes on the horizon as we cruise through the calm, clear waters off K’gari, where humpback whales put on an unforgettable show. Witness these gentle giants up close as they breach, tail slap, and play just meters from the boat.
When conditions allow, you may have the rare opportunity to join them in the water for an intimate, immersive swim—an experience few will ever have. Your safety and the well-being of the whales are our top priorities, so all in-water encounters are carefully managed by our experienced crew, following strict guidelines to ensure a respectful and unforgettable experience.
Wathumba Creek is a breathtaking natural wonder that transforms into a vast ocean lake at high tide. While we’re here, you’ll have the chance to snorkel in its crystal-clear waters, spotting an array of marine life, including fish in their breeding habitat, turtles, and stingrays. For those seeking adventure, guided kayaking through the creek system offers a unique way to explore this pristine environment. Prefer to unwind? Relax on the shore, take a refreshing swim, or stroll along the untouched beaches.
Paddle deep into K’gari’s hinterland on a guided kayak tour through the freshwater of Awinya Creek, surrounded by lush mangroves and diverse birdlife. This remote paradise is perfect for nature lovers and explorers alike. For those chasing a bit more excitement, climb onboard our tube and enjoy a thrill ride through the crystal clear ocean! If you’re still in relaxation mode, you can swim or soak up the serenity on the beach. Depending on the tide and conditions we may also use this location for an alternate snorkeling spot.
Arriving at Bowarrady Creek, we’ll first visit the vibrant coloured sands before climbing an ancient sand dune for breathtaking 360-degree views of K’gari and Platypus Bay. After taking in the scenery, cool off with a walk along the freshwater creek and a refreshing dip in a secluded natural waterhole, where the creek disappears into the island’s hinterland.
What's Included
What to Bring
FAQ
Our Whale immersion experience is only offered on our Remote K’gari and Whale Experience tour. This is not a guaranteed experience, it is offered when conditions permit, at the skippers discretion based on a variety of factors including whale behavior and sea conditions. The best time for this experience is during July and August. Once our mother and calf pods start arriving in September the chance to swim with the whales dramatically decreases.
All of our activities (such as snorkelling, kayaking and tubing) are optional! If your perfect day looks like spending your time relaxing on the pristine beaches that are on offer throughout the day, go for it!
There’s no paying extra for fun when you’re on tour with us! Tubing is included in the tour, so all you need to consider is whether you’re ready to get your adrenaline pumping.
Our tours operate rain or shine, except in the case of extreme weather that does not allow us safe access.
Our tours do not visit the inland or eastern destination on K’gari including; Lake Mackenzie and Maheno Shipwreck. We exclusively visit the remote and mostly untouched Western side. We love getting to leave the crowds behind and explore the places that no one else goes, if that sounds like your kind of adventure, we’d love to see you on board.
However if you would like to get the best of all of the locations that K’gari has to offer why not take advantage of one of our K’gari package deals where we have partnered with trusted K’gari tour companies to give you the best of both worlds!
All of your equipment required for snorkeling and kayaking is supplied with no additional charge. You are more than welcome to bring along your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer, but rest assured we have you covered!
This tour caters for low passenger numbers, we want you to have an epic time out on K’gari–filled with adventure and some moments of pure relaxation too.
Our maximum passenger number is 35, however this may increase when a larger vessel is substituted.
The number of whales we see on each tour varies greatly throughout the season. Our peak season is between August to September.
Most of your day will be spent on K’gari, with pit stops back to the boat throughout the day. Pack your bag as if you are heading for the beach for the day. We recommend you bring your swimsuit and towel, sunglasses and hat, walking shoes, sunscreen, water bottle and a camera or phone to capture all of your memories.
Our wonderful team will prepare a delicious buffet lunch for you to enjoy. We also have a scrumptious morning and afternoon tea included in your tour to keep you going all day long. Onboard, we have a fully licenced bar with drinks available to purchase.
We cater for all dietary requirements on request, so please do make sure you send through your dietary requirements at the time of booking.
The Humpback Whales are observed in Hervey Bay during their southern migration which is usually during early July – late October. The dates can vary year to year as the whales are wild animals and their migration changes slightly each year.
Our free transfer will pick you up and drop you off at select Hervey Bay accommodation. Just let us know which hotel or airbnb you’re staying at and we will let you know whether it is included in our service and when to expect your transfer!
You will visit up to three remote locations on K’gari as part of this tour. These locations include but are not limited to Wathumba, Awinya and Bowarrady Creeks, all of which are found on the remote Western side of K’gari, away from the crowds.
The tour will be different everyday depending on sea and tide conditions – we’ll only take you to the best spots and offer you the best experiences based on the day.
Need more info?
Contact us for more information.
Departing From
Our Half Day Whale Watch Encounter tour offers a guaranteed sightings policy, where you will receive an open dated return ticket if you do not see any whales. However, it is very uncommon to not see whales during the season dates.
No cancellation fee applies if the booking is cancelled more than 48 hours prior to departure time.
However, cancellation less than 48 hours of travel – 50% cancellation fee applies, and cancellation within 24 hours of travel (or no show) – 100% cancellation fee applies.
Explore More Tours
