Safari-Style Whale Watching Gold Coast
Duration:
Operated By:
Each year between May and November, the subtropical waters of Australia’s east coast host 40,000+ humpback whales on migration from Antarctica. They follow the path of the continental shelf which runs closest to the shoreline between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, making this the prime location for us to witness whales in their natural environment
From departure to return you will enjoy stunning coastal scenery along with informative and captivating commentary from our experienced skipper and crew. We guarantee you will encounter whales and be mesmerised as you observe them in their natural habitat.
Cooly Eco Adventures provides the closest and most intimate encounters in the region due to the eye-level viewing offered by the safari-style vessel.
Every whale watch is unique, and our highly experienced crew are on hand throughout to make this experience personal, as well as professional. They have a wealth of knowledge and passion for whales and the stunning Gold Coast region they look forward to sharing with you.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Guaranteed whale sightings or return for free.
- Qualified, experienced and professional skipper and crew.
- Maximum 12 passengers.
- Informative and captivating commentary throughout the tour on humpback whales and other marine life; Australian Aboriginal and European history along with the local area.
- Spray jackets and Reef Safe Sunscreen available upon request.
WHAT TO BRING
It is colder out on the water so come prepared with layers. We recommend:
- Beanie, warm jumper or insulated jacket.
- Spray jacket or rain coat.
- Sunglasses and hat.
- Camera, GoPro etc.
- Drinking water.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
- 6 years + minimum age. Any children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
- Not suitable for pregnant woman or anyone with a back injury.
- Sense of adventure!
Please add a correct phone number as we may need to contact you for time changes or cancellation.
It is your responsibility to check your emails for any updates/tour time changes or cancellations.
REFUND POLICY: We are unable to refund the booking or card fees you may incur if a full refund is granted.
All aboard!
We are excited to confirm you have successfully booked your upcoming tour with Cooly Eco Adventures.
IMPORTANT stuff to remember: Our tours operate on QLD TIME
Please arrive **10 minutes prior to your scheduled tour** (the time showing on your booking confirmation) for tea, coffee, induction and safety briefing.
1. WHAT TO BRING
It is colder out on the water so come prepared with layers. We recommend:
- Beanie, warm jumper/ jacket
- Spray jacket/ Rain coat- we have some if you don’t ?
- Sunglasses and hat
- Camera, Gopro etc
- Drinking water
Please pack warm clothing! it can get cold out there
2. MOTION SICKNESS TABLETS
If you are, or think you might be prone to sea sickness, please consult your pharmacist and pickup some motion sickness tablets prior to joining us. We will have natural motion sickness tablet remedies on board if you are in need, but if you are likely to suffer from sea sickness we recommend you consult your pharmacist for your needs.
3. HOW TO GET HERE
Our departure location is Chinderah, situated 5mins from the pacific highway.
139-151 Chinderah bay drive Nsw 2487
Directions:
If you are driving from the south on the pacific motorway, take the Kingscliff/ Cudgen exit. and go left at the round about, follow this road.
If you are driving from the north on the Pacific Motorway, take the Kingscliff/Cuden exit, and go right at the round about. Passing under the motor way and then follow this road.
Parking:
There is street parking available along Chinderah Bay Dr.
Please Note: Do not park in front of the Cubby Bakehouse.
1. WHAT TO BRING
It is colder out on the water so come prepared with layers. We recommend:
- Beanie, warm jumper/ jacket
- Spray jacket/ Rain coat- we have some if you don’t ?
- Sunglasses and hat
- Camera, Gopro etc
- Drinking water
3. HOW TO GET HERE
Our departure location is Chinderah, situated 5mins from the pacific highway.
139-151 Chinderah bay drive Nsw 2487
Directions:
If you are driving from the south on the pacific motorway, take the Kingscliff/ Cudgen exit. and go left at the round about, follow this road.
If you are driving from the north on the Pacific Motorway, take the Kingscliff/Cuden exit, and go right at the round about. Passing under the motor way and then follow this road.
Parking:
There is street parking available along Chinderah Bay Dr.
Please Note: Do not park in front of the Cubby Bakehouse.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Share:
We saw lots of turtles so close we had to be careful not to touch them. My daughter and I were very happy thankyou Gem and Cloudy for a great day!
Our two guides, Cory and Connor, were absolute pros. They got us fully kitted out in wetsuits and fins quickly and confidently, kept everyone comfortable in the water, and made sure we felt safe the whole time. Their knowledge and calm approach really stood out, especially given the conditions.
We were lucky enough to see turtles, leopard sharks, and even an ornate wobbegong, which was an incredible experience — particularly for our kids.
We did the tour as a family of five with three teenagers, and it was perfect for that age group. Fun, educational, and genuinely memorable. Highly recommend if you’re in the area and want a great marine life experience, even if the weather doesn’t fully cooperate.
Dolphins visited our boat on the way back 10/10!
Sadly, the response I received was extremely disappointing. There was no flexibility, no goodwill gesture, and no refund or credit offered — even though I never went on the trip. I completely understand that companies have policies, but I had hoped that some understanding and empathy would be shown, especially given the circumstances.
It’s such a shame, as I had heard great things about this experience and was really looking forward to it. Instead, I was left feeling frustrated and let down by how the situation was handled. For a business that depends so heavily on tourism and customer experience, I would have expected a much more considerate approach.
Unfortunately, I won’t be recommending or booking with this company again, and I hope they take this feedback seriously for future travellers. A little understanding can make a big difference
What an absolutely fantastic day we had swimming with the turtles thanks to Eco Cooley Adventures! I have Multiple Sclerosis, and the left side of my body is badly affected, but that didn’t stop me from having the most wonderful experience thanks to the amazing care and support from Lachie (the owner) and my carers.
Lachie was incredible — he stayed by my side in the water, making sure I was safe and comfortable the whole time. His kindness and patience made all the difference. And then, to top it all off, we saw so many turtles — a whole bale of them (that’s what a group of turtles is called!). It was just magical.
Amanda Rudge allinaqua was also absolutely wonderful. She took care of everyone — my grandchildren, my friends who were a bit nervous about the water — and made sure we all felt confident and happy.
A big thank you as well to Tracey Bezzina, my carer, who was fantastic with the grandchildren and helped make the day so special for everyone.
It truly was a spectacular day filled with laughter, care, and unforgettable moments. Thank you so much to everyone at Eco Cooley Adventures — we’ll treasure this experience forever.
The small boat meant we all got a good view of the action and Lachie our skipper was a wealth of information. He clearly loves his job! A fantastic experience .. thanks Lachie and Cass.
Also the guides were soo nice and helpful all the time. I would really recommend the trip!
What an absolutely fantastic day we had swimming with the turtles thanks to Eco Cooley Adventures! I have Multiple Sclerosis, and the left side of my body is badly affected, but that didn’t stop me from having the most wonderful experience thanks to the amazing care and support from Lachie (the owner) and my carers.
Lachie was incredible — he stayed by my side in the water, making sure I was safe and comfortable the whole time. His kindness and patience made all the difference. And then, to top it all off, we saw so many turtles — a whole bale of them (that’s what a group of turtles is called!). It was just magical.
Amanda Rudge #allinaqua was also absolutely wonderful. She took care of everyone — my grandchildren, my friends who were a bit nervous about the water — and made sure we all felt confident and happy.
A big thank you as well to Tracey Bezzina, my carer, who was fantastic with the grandchildren and helped make the day so special for everyone.
It truly was a spectacular day filled with laughter, care, and unforgettable moments. Thank you so much to everyone at Eco Cooley Adventures — we’ll treasure this experience forever.
Jess and Lockie were super friendly and helpful
Turtles were plentiful
A great morning out
They know what they’re doing, it was worth my time and money. I’ll be back! 🙌🏻🐋
The tour operator runs a safety conscious tour providing life jackets for the boat and wetsuits for comfort and protection. For those who feel a bit hesitant about snorkelling they have pool noodles on board for extra buoyancy. There is a safety person in the water with you at all times to ensure your comfort and to aid you if you need help.
Remember the ocean isn’t an aquarium and the visibility will change with tide changes and weather conditions. Even on a cloudy day with slightly reduced visibility we saw many turtles.
The operator is a wealth of knowledge about the the turtles and their habits. Unfortunately certain species of sea turtles are endangered so seeing them in their natural environment is an amazing experience.
And the cherry on top was the amazing dolphin sighting! We floated alongside the dolphins in the boat watching them feed and swim.
Gemma and Loki were the best guide and hosts and I had the best time swimming and snorkeling in the middle of the ocean while watching and admiring the sea life underneath. It’s truly a magical experience and even novice swimmers like me can do it very easily as the guides are very helpful and will keep an eye on you. Obviously they gave us lots of safety tips and tricks and ensured we go into the water with proper equipment provided and checked by the guides.
The highlight, of course, was the turtles. Seeing these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitat was nothing short of magical. The guides were fantastic, providing interesting facts about the marine life and ensuring we had plenty of time to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
The equipment provided was top-notch, and the boat ride to Cook Island was smooth and enjoyable. The crew’s passion for marine conservation was evident and added an educational aspect to the adventure, making it even more enriching.
I can’t recommend Cooley Eco Adventures enough for anyone looking to explore the beauty of Cook Island and its incredible marine life. This is a must-do activity that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime!
Every effort was taken to provide a whale swim experience however never at the expense of the marine life or outside of regulations which their environmentally conscious and sustainable practices is the reason why I booked Cooly Eco Adventures to begin with. It's not just a business name, it is eco-friendly!
An epic experience topped off with fresh fruit to snack on for the return journey. Will return!
On the way back to shore, Lachie spotted some whales in the distance and went to check them out. We had an unscheduled up close 30 minute encounter with 3 whales fin slapping, rolling, and breaching. A once in a lifetime experience.
These guys do everything they can to make sure you have an incredible experience; can’t recommend them highly enough.
Thanks so much guys for a wonderful time!
Loved every minute and thought it was exceptionally good value for 2.5 hours of hanging with the GC whales.
We saw dolphins on the boat ride there and swam with a few turtles and lots of fish. We also saw wobbegong's laying on the bottom of the sea-floor!
Thank you Lachy, Joel and Gwen for your hospitality.

























