Whale Swim & Watch

State: QLD

AUD $230.00

Adult

Duration: 

6h
Come and experience an up-close, personal whale encounter with strictly limited numbers (max 24). Includes whale swim encounter when possible.

Operated By:

What’s new for 2026? We have made a decision to reduce the number of guests per trip for 2026! We are reducing the guests numbers from 24 guests in 2025 to 12 guests in 2026.

Yes, that is right… just 12 guests on the boat! We are making the tour more exclusive with a focus to provide an even greater guest experience with the swimming with a humpback.

Also, we will now be departing the marina at 7.30am each morning returning at around 12.30pm.

Hervey Bay Dive Centre operates the regions most exclusive and dedicated swim with the whale experience when the humpbacks whales visit Hervey Bay between July and September. Our professional Crew and PADI Dive Team give 100% to ensure you get the experience of a lifetime and an awesome adventure on the water.

This exclusive experience is an incredibly special opportunity to watch & swim with one of nature’s most majestic mammals, the Humpback whale, a curious, gentle and trusting creature. Even if we cannot swim for one reason or another our tour offers a unique and personal whale watch encounter in the best humpback whale watching destination in the world, Hervey Bay!

We purposely operate the tour utilising a small vessel with limited (12) guest numbers making for a personal and fun day on the water.

On the whales terms
We champion a strict Code of Practice when interacting with the whales. The key component to this agreement, and a core philosophy of ours, is “on the whales terms”. In short this means we only interact with whales that are happy for us to do so.

Guaranteed sightings
We guarantee whale sightings (seeing a whale from the vessel) between 20th July and 15th October. In the very unlikely event that the skipper cannot locate a whale during this period you will be offered a free return ticket.

We cannot guarantee the swimming with the whales tour as on occasions the weather, sea state and whales behavior will prohibit the opportunity. 

Children
Children under 8 years are not permitted to swim with the whales and a parental guardian must remain with them on the vessel. If 2 guardians are present they can interchange between the vessel and swimming when conditions permit. The tour is not suitable for children under 4 years.

Our vessel:  M.V. Coral Gypsy

  • Type:  Power-cat (catamaran)
  • Capacity:  Coral Gypsy @ 12 guests and 2 crew
  • Facilities:  Cabin, full-size toilet
  • Viewing:  Water-level viewing decks
  • Length:   10 metres 
  • Speed:  25 knots 
  • Wheelchair/Pram access:  No

Check-in
Please check-in 30 min prior to departure at the Hervey Bay Dive Centre office located at Jetty Street on the Boat Club Marina. Follow the signs to enter the marina via the ramp next to the fuel station (100m south of the Boat Club). Ample free parking is available.

Weather
We monitor the upcoming weather conditions daily. If we anticipate adverse conditions that may affect your opportunity to swim or watch the whales we will endeavour to provide as much notice as possible.

What to bring
If you wish to participate in the swim with the whales encounter please bring a towel and swim wear. Please wear your swimmers under your clothes. Wetsuits will be provided which, you will change into aboard the boat.

  • A warm jacket or jumper is recommended
  • A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Camera, GoPro etc


Swimming
Please remember, swimming is not guaranteed. Every effort will be made to maximise your opportunity to swim with the whales. However, the swim experience is conditions dependant. We can only swim with suitable whales (permits restrict all operators from swimming with calves), on their terms and in safe sea conditions.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding swimming with the whales or the tour in general.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Swimming with the whales cannot be guaranteed. Swimming with the whales will always be on the whales terms and at the digression of the ship’s master. Whale sightings are guaranteed between the 20th July and 15th October. In the unlikely event that the ship’s master is unable to locate a whale during this period, a complimentary return ticket will be offered. Weather: In the unlikely event that the tour has to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, sea state or the like; Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to cancel a tour on short notice. In this situation an alternate trip may be booked or a full refund offered. Each whale swim participant must be a competent swimmer. Children under the age of 8 years will not be permitted to swim with the whales. Children under the age of 8 years must be supervised by a parental guardian on the vessel. Children over 8 years of age must be competent swimmers and have written parental permission to participate in the whale swim immersive experience. Each whale swim participant must attend the briefing prior to the immersive experience. All whale swim participants are required to read, acknowledge and sign the swim with whales terms and conditions prior to the immersive experience; 1. All online bookings cancelled will incur a 20% administration fee. 2. If the vessel leaves without you at the advertised departure time, an alternative cruise of the same value will be offered. No refunds will be issued. 3. Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to substitute another vessel in the event of unavailability of the advertised vessel. 4. Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to cancel any trip without notice due to adverse weather conditions. 5. Swimming with the whales will always be on the whales terms and as such the immersive experience is at the digression of the ship’s master 6. If the cruise is cancelled by the Hervey Bay Dive Centre due to circumstances beyond our control, an alternative cruise of the same value or refund will be offered. 7. Whale sightings are guaranteed between the 20th July and 15th October. In the unlikely event that the ship’s master is unable to locate a whale during a Whale Watching swim/cruise between these dates, a complimentary return ticket will be offered. No refunds will be issued.​ 8. Each whale swim participant must be a competent swimmer 9. Children under the age of 8 years will not be permitted to swim with the whales 10. Children over 8 years of age must be competent swimmers and have written parental permission to participate in the whale swim immersive experience 11. Each whale swim participant must attend the briefing prior to the immersive experience 12. Hervey Bay Dive Centre stocks a full range of the latest life jackets, wetsuits, masks, snorkels and fins and are all included within the price 13. All whale swim safety and buoyancy equipment is included in the price 14. All whale swim participants are required to read, acknowledge and sign the swim with whales terms and conditions prior to the immersive experience. 15. Remember this is an on water experience and your safety is most important to us and as such sun protection is paramount, sunscreen, hats, sun shirts, sunglasses are highly recommended

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