Whale-watching season is back

Winter means whales on the Sunshine Coast! June marks the official start of the whale watching season here, which runs all the way through to November. Having fuelled up on tonnes of Antarctic krill and small fish over summer, the whales are returning to warmer northern waters to birth their calves—and we’ve got a front-row seat to the action as they migrate along the Sunshine Coast’s ‘humpback highway’.

With plenty of unique tour offerings and breathtaking lookouts to see the sights, you’ll find your next #SunshineMoment is just a tail splash away. Plus, as the first place in Australia to offer the humpback whale swim experience, you’ll be in trusted hands from the moment you hop in the water.

5 reasons why whale-watching is better on the Sunshine Coast

Whale watching with Sunreef, Mooloolaba

If you need any more convincing to make the Sunshine Coast your whale-watching destination of choice, let us persuade you...

Proximity: many of our whale-watching experiences are only a short boat-ride from Mooloolaba, reducing travel time and giving you more time with the whales.
Affordability: the range of experiences on offer mean you’ll be more likely to find a tour to suit your price point.
Activity: the whales are more active on the Sunshine Coast, which means they’re more enjoyable to watch.
Views: we’ve got a raft of scenic lookout points dotted across our coastline where you can spot whales splashing offshore (get some more inspiration below).
More whales to see! This year, more than 40,000 whales are expected to pass through Sunshine Coast waters.

Meet the operators (A-Z)

Adventure Rafting

Whale watching with Adventure Rafting, Sunshine Coast

One of the most unique parts about Adventure Rafting’s Mooloolaba Whale Watching Tour is that you’ll be treated to views above AND below the water... without having to go for a swim! The boats are fitted out with livestreaming underwater cameras, allowing you to catch every minute of the experience. There’s also a hydrophone onboard for listening in to the beautiful whale calls.

Blue Tortuga Adventures

With offerings ranging from whale watching to an incredible Whale Listening Scuba Experience, Blue Tortuga Adventures has something for everyone. In particular, the Whale Listening Scuba Experience will see you kitting up and plunging into the sea for a complete immersion in the ocean’s natural melodies and whale songs.

Cavalier Cruises

Picture this: you’re relaxing back on lounge seating, your eyes are fixed on the splashing whales nearby, and you’ve got a glass of your favourite beverage in hand. Sound good? Cavalier Cruises’ 3-hour Luxury Whale Watching Cruise kicks off from Mooloolaba before easing out into the ocean for some seriously VIP whale-watching fun.

Noosa Thriller Ocean Adventures

Whale Watching with Noosa Thriller

Hop aboard with Noosa Thriller Ocean Adventures and head out into the sparkling waters beyond Noosa National Park for a spectacular whale-watching experience. To keep things intimate and to maximise the experience, the vessel itself only fits twelve passengers. Plus, you’ll be in for some pretty spectacular 360-degree views.

The Pressure Project

Swimming with whales, The Pressure Project, Sunshine Coast

If you’re chasing a more intimate whale swim experience, The Pressure Project has got you covered. With experienced freedivers leading the way, you’ll be treated to the smallest group swims on the Sunshine Coast—which allows for a truly unforgettable encounter. Plus, if the conditions are sparkling, you might even sneak in a bonus reef snorkel.

For serious whale fans, look no further than The Pressure Project’s ‘Whale Week Retreat’. Held across seven incredible days, the retreat boasts daily whale swims, workshops, meditation sessions, and more.

Sunreef

Swim with whales with Sunreef, Mooloolaba

The crew at Sunreef Mooloolaba were the first operators in Australia to offer humpback whale swims... so you know you’ll be in experienced hands. Rather stay above water? Not a problem. Book yourself a spot aboard Sunreef’s Whale One—the Sunshine Coast’s biggest whale-watching boat—where you’ll be in the box seat to check out all the action.

For an extra-special experience, make sure you check out Sunreef’s Tallo Billa event in September, where the magical tunes of humpback whales are set to combine with live soundscapes crafted aboard Whale One. Featuring magical dusky hues, spectacular views of Mudjimba Island, and rich connections to the Kabi Kabi people, this is an immersive journey not to be missed.

Keep a lookout

Point Perry Lookout, Coolum Beach

While a whale watching tour will allow you to get closer to the action, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch sight of our humpbacks from land. Some of our favourite coastal vantage points include:

A 'whaley' big welcome

Join us in welcoming the whales back to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, 7 June (2025) with a free, family-friendly event. Kicking off at the Mooloolaba Foreshore from 6pm, come along to witness ‘Tallo Billa’ (meaning ‘humpback whale’ in the local Kabi Kabi language): a spectacular audio-visual installment which is set to combine the magic of humpback whale melodies with Indigenous cultural interpretation. You can also expect plenty of fun on either side of the main event at The Wharf Mooloolaba, including face-painting from 12pm until 4pm, and live music that’ll keep the good times rolling till 10pm.