There are plenty of spots to see whales on the Sunshine Coast, including up close beside them in the ocean! Read on to learn more about the best time of year to visit the Sunshine Coast for whale-watching, great lookout points to catch all the action, and how you can experience the ultimate #sunshinemoment that'll stay with you forever.
Say hello to a magical encounter.
See the magnificent humpback whales on a Whale One cruise
From June to November, experience the aquatic acrobatics and majestic presence of our humpback whales as they travel through the waters of the Sunshine Coast. Feel the salty ocean spray on your cheeks, and get up close to experience their breathtaking breaches as the whales make their way up and down the coast.
The 'Humpback Highway'
Swim with whales
This year, thousands of humpbacks are expected to make the migration north from Antarctica, arriving in Queensland by early June. After eating up to four tonnes of krill and small fish each day in the Antarctic over summer, these gorgeous whales migrate to the warmer northern waters. Here, the balmy temperatures provide an ideal location for birthing calves amongst the sheltered waves of Queensland's coastline.
Better yet, the Sunshine Coast benefits from a longer whale-watching season. This means you'll have plenty of time to catch sight of the gentle giants as they make the 10,000km journey along the Australian coastline to Antarctica, newborn calves in tow, and then pass by again as they head south to the Arctic.
Where are the whales?
Getting ready to swim with the Whales with Sunreef
You can catch sight of our humpbacks from several vantage points on land along the coast, including:
- Point Perry or Point Arkwright
- Point Cartwright
- Moffat Headland (Caloundra)
- Dolphin Point in the Noosa National Park
- Alexandra Headland
To head out on the water and get even closer to these graceful giants, try a whale-watching tour with Whale One, Elite Sailing, Adventure Rafting, Noosa Thriller Ocean Adventures. For the chance to swim with the whales, make sure to check out the offerings Sunreef Mooloolaba and The Pressure Project.
Whale watching on the Sunshine Coast
Tour
Sunreef Mooloolaba
The home of ocean adventure! Scuba dive, snorkel with turtles, swim with whales, or go whale watchin
Tour
Noosa Thriller Ocean Adventures
Welcome onboard Thriller for an adrenaline filled adventure through one of Queenslands most iconic d
Tour
Noosa Oceanrider
Noosa Oceanrider is the original and best rated offshore boating experience in Noosa. Noosa Oceanri
Tour
Swim with Humpback Whales - Sunshine Coast
Imagine swimming alongside a humpback whale, one of the largest and most majestic creatures on Earth
Tour
Mooloolaba Whale Watching Experience
Adventure Rafting is a family-owned and operated eco-tour business offering wildlife and whale watch
Tour
Blue Tortuga Adventures
Excellence in ocean charters, adventures and training! At Blue Tortuga Adventures, safety and comfo
Maroochydore
Tour
The Pressure Project - Sunshine Coast
The Pressure Project, led by renowned freediver Adam Sellars, offers transformative ocean-based expe
Buddina
