Amazing Really good experience, very very close up encounters with the whales and super friendly and helpfull crew. Everything from check in to leaving the boat were very smooth and easy. Would highly recommend.

I recently had the pleasure of joining the swim with whales tour, and it was truly a magnificent, unforgettable experience! The crew made everything feel seamless and comfortable from start to finish. The guides were rad, knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely cared about ensuring everyone had a safe and magical encounter with the whales. The boatside encounters alone were epic!!
The whales were mesmerising, majestic, phenomenal, FANTASTIC!!!! Legit, life changing! ✨️
The boat ride was smooth, the atmosphere relaxed, and there were excellent tunes and good energy, making it perfect for those who are new to this kind of adventure, as well as seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and ocean lovers.
I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in nature.
Thank you to the whole team for making it such a special day! 🐋💙

Swimming with the whales - one of the best days of my life! I went on a half day whale watching trip with Salty Safaris in late August 2025. We were super lucky and were able to swim with the whales - we had two adult humpbacks that came within a metre of us and circled the boat for over an hour. There were ten of us in the water at a time, wearing weatsuits, and you have to hang on to the rope and flotation devices at the back of the boat. Swimming so close to the whales was absolutely incredible and without a doubt one of the best things I have ever, ever done. Bruce and Annika were very fun and knowledgable and Bruce was very skilled at finding "playful" whales that would come and swim with us. I cannot recommend these guys highly enough - I went back on the boat for the afternoon boat trip, and have booked in to go with them again in two weeks. I've done about 15 whale watching trips over the years and this one is undoubtedly the best. A small boat so only 18 passengers and close to the water and all the action. Note that if you want to swim with the whales this is not guaranteed and only runs til about 14 September as after this date there are too many calves, and you are not permitted in the water when there are calves nearby. The swimming is also of course dependant on weather and wind and the whales cooperating. But even if we hadn't been able to swim, this was still a fabulous experience. Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!

I went on three whale watching trips with Salty Safari’s and each one was an incredible experience, with something new and unforgettable every time. Swimming with the whales was absolutely breathtaking, truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Huge thanks to Anika and Bruce for being such a fantastic team, making everyone feel excited and knowing exactly where to go for the best whale interactions. The vibe on the boat was amazing, with great tunes and an atmosphere where everyone was in awe of the whales. Couldn’t recommend Salty Safari’s more highly, a must-do experience!

Absolute must do Wow oh wow what a morning we had. Multiple whale pods playing and we were absolutely honoured to swim beside these majestic creatures. The crew were so enthusiastic and really looked after us. Highly recommended

Amazing day on the water, super fun crew, we were lucky enough to have some amazing up close interaction with the whales. Swimming with these majestic creatures was mind blowing. Highly recommended. Big thanks to the Salty crew for such an awesome experience

We had such an amazing experience with Salty Safaris! Bruce and Mark were not only very respectful, professional and knowledgeable, but also created a really friendly and fun atmosphere on board. Thanks to them we had the chance to get up close with the whales in a respectful way. Truly an unforgettable day – highly recommended!

Closest Whale encounters you'll get! Phenomenal experience with a great team! Salty Safaris was a phenomenal experience! Don't let the small boat put you off. It's as close as you can possibly get to the whales. If you're looking for a truely intimate and close to the action experience then this is the tour for you. The team were really friendly and did everything they could to make it a trip to remember. It was lovely to see how excited and passionate they were about the Whales too. They checked in on each group individually and took time to talk to us all, get photos and generally just make it a fun trip especially with the reggae music! We couldn't recommend it enough and already want to come again!

Would 100% recommend for everyone to book with them. Had the best time of my life, not only great for adults but also for kids as they will be able to get closer to the whales. Prices were amazing even better that swimming with the whales isn’t more. Bruce and Anika were absolutely brilliant very welcoming and friendly, got us so close to the whales and are very lovely people. Had a great time, everyone needs to book with salty safaris. 🐳 👍

Amazing!! What an unforgettable experience shared with my family. One we will never forget.
The crew were fun and knowledgeable and the boat was comfortable.
At one point we had 5 whales swimming and playing so close to us. Would highly recommend this company

I had the most amazing experience with Salty Safari’s today. The crew were very professional and knowledgeable about the Whales. They made sure we were all comfortable and happy throughout the tour, making our safety and wellbeing their top priority. It was surreal how close we were to the whales and swimming with them was a once in a lifetime experience. The service was 10/10, beverages on board as well as a toilet. Stopping at Fraser Island on the way back was the best way to end our tour. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to have fun while exploring the beauty of Hervey Bay while making unforgettable memories.

Best whale experience An amazing day with the whales and the best whale experience I have enjoyed. The whales came so close to the boat and it didn’t matter if you were in the water on hanging over the side, it was pure joy. Getting into the water was fairly easy and there were wetsuits on the boat for swimmers. The island stop was a pleasant break and the finale as we arrived back at the harbour was priceless. A great day out and highly recommended.

Wow!!!! And wow again!
That was one of the most incredible experiences of my LIFE.
I'm still pinching myself as to how close the whales came to us... their interaction, inquisitiveness. They were so chilled and friendly. Thankyou Bruce for allowing us an incredibly intimate and unhurried experience with them. Just wow.
I couldn't more highly recommend the swim with whales experience with Satly safari's.

Thank you Salty Safaris for the most amazing experience you could wish for while whale watching. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect and enjoyable day! We ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!

Bruce and Anika certainly know what they’re doing, their knowledge and understanding of the whales enabled us to not only spot and watch the whales up close, we also got to tick off a bucket list moment when we got to swim with these majestic animals! Bruce and Anika made sure that the whales came to us, and that they did! Multiple times! The size of the whales when they swim underneath you just metres away is a lifetime experience I won’t forget.

We can’t recommend Salty Safaris enough! They are amazing not only with their knowledge and respect for the whales, but the hospitality is second to none!! The beers and drinks were icy cold, the vibe throughout the whole day had smiles from everyone on board! We were lucky to have them for the day! We will be back very soon with the family!! 😊

Wow, what an amazing tour! We booked the WHALES & BEACHES half-day trip in the morning as a family with two youngsters (7&11) and we will keep it as an once in a lifetime experience. We saw a group of 7 great humpbacks and they were literally playing around our boat for over 90 minutes, giving us some nice splashes, close encounters and jumps. Absolutely stunning! The first hour we were alone with the whales, no other boat around. Thanks to Bruce and Anika we had a great tour and we really enjoyed being on a small boat with a group of less than 20 people.

75 and LOVED the Big Woody Lighthouse Hike! I want to share my experience with the Big Woody Lighthouse tour with Salty Safaris, and encourage any other "older" people to have a go. I am 75 years old, and I completed the full 6km hike, and it was well worth the effort. The staff were attentive and very helpful, providing informative talks about the island and the lighthouse. The scenery is fantastic. If you enjoy the outdoors and have a reasonable level of fitness, this tour is a must. Value for money and highly recommended.

Awesome (tho hot and humid!) afternoon out, fresh sea air, a lovely beach walk with so many incredible things to see. Highly recommend this half day trip, but when it's very hot, it's a bit harder than easy/medium level. Great lunch/snacks pack + water provided.
Thanks for a great arvo, team!

First Dive Did my first 2 dives through these amazing people after qualifying with my open waters.
Super friendly people and always will recommend going through Salty Safaris.

I recently celebrated my 75th birthday with an unforgettable experience aboard Salty Safaris’ Triple J's Hottest 100 Raft-Up Party, and it was an absolute blast! I was joined by my daughters and some of my grandchildren, and we all had an incredible time.

The Salty Crew were outstanding—so accommodating and friendly! The delicious food and icy cold drinks definitely added to the experience. Having toilet facilities on board was a fantastic bonus, making everything much more comfortable.

The kids enjoyed paddleboarding and having a blast on the inflatable toys, while we even engaged in fun ball games on KGari Fraser Island! The whole day was filled with laughter and joy, making it a truly special occasion.

What I love most about Salty Safaris is its intimate, family-run atmosphere. It’s clear that they pour their heart and soul into providing a unique experience. I can’t recommend them enough! I’m already looking forward to returning for some of the other amazing tours they offer.

Thank you, Salty Safaris, for making my birthday celebration one to remember!

We left on time which was amazing and surprising as many trips run late due to other attendees running late. The trip was comfortable and easy with a small group on the boat. We were taken care of in the water (being beginners) by the amazing ladies who had us on a floating rope and kept checking in on us, which I feel is the most important part of being a beginner snorkeler and because of that 5 stars and would absolutely go on Salty Safaris again.

Awesome sunset cruise Absolutely fantastic. Loved the whole experience. It was relaxed and so much fun. The island was stunningly beautiful and the swimming was excellent. The tour guides were highly professional and made the experience extra special. I recommend this tour highly.

Highly recommend! We had the most amazing day! Got to really see and appreciate K’gari’s beauty, island hoping around getting a tour and finding out some of its history! Boat ride was super fun too! Lovely small and intimate setting. If you’re looking forward to a smaller less crowded boat then definitely try Salty Safaris.

Great diving experience on the Ex-HMAS Tobruk Had a great day with K’gari Salty Safari’s diving the Ex-HMAS Tobruk. Bruce the skipper knows his business and is very mindful of the turtle and bird rich waters that you travel on for 1 hour before reaching the wreck. Matt is a super experienced dive instructor and knows the Tobruk like the back of his hand. If you are in the area or contemplating diving the Tobruk, you will not be disappointed. The trip generally takes about 5 hours, with two dives and a surface interval of approx 50 minutes.

Terrific playful atmosphere; relaxing; friendly; experienced and very friendly staff. ff Salty Safaris offers a range of activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, free diving, whale watching and island hopping.

Bruce, the skipper on the dive boat is very pleasant (always) and extremely knowledeable having dived commercially for years.

Nothing is bothersome to him which is great because nothing is more off putting having cranky staff.

The guide for the day was Matt and Matt is awesome. Master instructor without the big ego.

They have another instructor, also Matt and I hear he is a lot if fun too.

Highly recommend Salty Safaris for a guaranteed pleasant day out.

P.S. The Ex-HMAs Tobruk is an amazing dive like a box of chocolates you never know what you’re going to get.

Do yourself a favour and go diving with Salty Safaris and perhaps also enjiy their other trips.

Tobruk Dive with the Salty Crew 😎🤙🏻 Such an amazing trip!

Whether you are a local or passing through, I’d recommend to jump on board and see what the bay has to offer!

The skills and knowledge the Salty Safari team has on the area is phenomenal. From novice to experienced divers, you will be very well looked after.

The boat is comfortable, spacious and easy to get in and out of when you’re all geared up (super handy when you’ve worked hard in the water exploring the Tobruk).

There is an abundance of life on this wreck. Every time I dive this site, I see something different and have never been disappointed!

I would really recommend a dive trip with Salty Safari. I will be diving with them again soon 🙂

Sar

Incredible diving Awesome dives at the head Tobruk , so much marine life, seen about 25 whales on the trip in as well , massive qld grouper and eagle rays on the dive and thick schools of trevally

Unforgettable Experience Absolutely amazing experience. Seeing the whales up close from the boat was great, but to be able to swim with these giants was simply bucket list stuff. These amazing creatures were barely centimetres away from us while they inquisitively swam around. Highly recommend K'gari Salty Safaris. Thanks Mark and Liberty for an unforgettable day.

Amazing activity, because of the small boat we could almost touch the whales!!
Very enthousiastic guides!! Wonderfull experience also with kids (11 and 13 years)👌🏻
And there is the posibility to swim with the whales, awesome!!!!

I had an excellent tour today. Lots of whales to see. Half day is a perfect amount of time. The morning tour was really nice. I also enjoyed the stopover at the island. Please note ( I say this as an able bodied person who enjoyed the tour) that they DO NOT provide food and drink. It is NOT disability/ mobility friendly. The toilet is also difficult to access. It's a tiny boat and you are totally exposed to wind and water so it can get cold.

Great Scuba and Freedive Experience with K’Gari Salty Safaris My experience with K’Gari Salty Safaris has been fantastic. The team are knowledgeable, the boat and dive equipment is clean and well-maintained, and their passion for the ocean was evident throughout. Whether you’re new to diving or seasoned, I highly recommend Salty Safaris for a memorable underwater adventure!

Fantastic day diving the HMAS Tobruk I recently had the opportunity to go for a day's diving with the fantastic team at Salty Safaris on the HMAS Tobruk. The boat was spacious, clean, and well-maintained. The equipment provided was in excellent condition, and there was ample room for everyone to prepare for their dives comfortably.

The team were not only knowledgeable but also very friendly, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable and excited for the adventure ahead. Their briefings were thorough, covering all the necessary safety protocols and dive site information, which put everyone at ease.

The dive was superb with excellent visibility and loads of turtles which included Loggerhead, Green, and Hawksbill. The wreck was teeming with marine life and it was fun exploring some of the interior of the wreck! My favourite moment was an encounter with a huge Marble Ray near the bow of the wreck.

During our surface interval we were provided with yummy food which also included freshly baked white chocolate cookies.

The combination of a professional, friendly team, a great boat, delicious food, and an amazing dive site made for an unforgettable experience. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking to explore the underwater wonders of the HMAS Tobruk.

A big thank you to Bruce, Mark and Matt for an exceptional day. I can’t wait to dive with you again!

Epic dive epic crew Dove the HMAS Tobruk with these guys. Was the best wreck dive ive done ! So much marine life and such a fun and proffessional team, we even saw dolphins on the way back. Will definitely be heading out again soon.

Unforgettable Dive Experience with Salty Safari at the HMAS Tobruk Salty Safari has dives to the Tobruk now, and they didn't disappoint. Such a great crowd; always love their tours. The dive was absolutely amazing with marine life all over the shipwreck. Such a great day, highly recommend.

Had a wicked good day on Salty Safaris with very competent and informative skippers. Beautiful vessel that made for a very comfortable ride. Wonderful views of K’gari, Big woody and Pelican islands. Drinks, tunes and all round good vibes. Definitely hop on a tour again with such great operators when we visit the area again. Thanks again Heath and Co! ❤️☺️

My family and I had the most incredible experience on the sunset boat tour. The peacefulness of the water, the stunning views of the sunset, and the relaxing atmosphere made for a truly unforgettable evening. Salty safaris had everything from beach games to drinks as you watch the sunset. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a magical way to unwind and connect." And a special thanks to the crew who made the experience all the more memorable.

A wonderful trip, recommended by a friend. Mark and our awesome driver were super committed to us having a good time, seeing lots of whales safely and having a bit of fun along the way with some fun boat driving.
Totally recommend this trip for something with a little more 'pep' than the big boats ... really up close and personal with the whales. Loved it!

Whale and island tour My partner and I went on the half day tour! We weren’t expecting to see many whales however we saw so many and I couldn’t help my excited self! There was a pod of 9 whales at one point. We also saw some dolphins and a turtle. The food pack was yum and the crew was amazing at educating us on facts about the islands and the sea life. I would highly recommend doing a tour with the Salty crew!

WOW!!!!!! This is a Must Do if your heading to Hervey Bay. Everything is Fantastic About The Trip with K’gari Salty Safaris. The Boat is an Awesome Fast Craft, Super Clean and A Fun Ride out to the Deeper Waters…. Plenty Of Room to Move About. The Crew Made the Journey So Memorable and Fun… We Got to See So Many Pods of Whales on this Trip, And Get so Close to them in their natural environment…. The Beach Stop on the Way Back for a Swim was an Added Bonus…. Do yourself a Favour and Book a Tour, it’s Really one of the Best Experiences you can have… ????️????????????

WOW!!! A Must Do Family Adventure/Experience WOW!!!!!! This is a Must Do if your heading to Hervey Bay. Everything is Fantastic About The Trip with K’gari Salty Safaris. The Boat is an Awesome Fast Craft, Super Clean and A Fun Ride out to the Deeper Waters . Plenty Of Room to Move About. The Crew Made the Journey So Memorable and Fun We Got to See So Many Pods of Whales on this Trip, And Get so Close them in their natural environment . The Beach Stop on the Way Back for a Swim was an Added Bonus . Do yourself a Favour and Book a Tour, it’s Really one of the Best Experiences you can have ????️????????????

Had the best time on the safari. Saw a lot of female humpback whales with their calves (so we weren't allowed to swim with them). We were able to get really close to them. Stopped off on an island to have lunch. Boat is modern, clean and fast.

Whales galore Outstanding day yesterday with Freedom 111 out of Hervey Bay. Our second trip with this company. Whales galore and what a show. Freedom111 crew were outstanding and the food terrific. An absolutely wonderful day out.
We will do it again.

11/10 experience! If you want the ultimate whale experience look no further. We did the whales and beaches tour and it was nothing short of incredible. The boat was clean, modern, fast and so much fun and the crew were the perfect mix of knowledgeable and fun and made the whole trip unforgettable. The smaller boat meant we got so close to the whales we could almost touch them and the crew knew exactly how to spot the friendliest whales who loved to interact. To top it all off we also got to get in the water with the whales for a swim, and had whales swimming right beneath us which was just unreal. Literally couldn’t fault this trip, would have paid triple and still felt like I got amazing value. Thank you so much Salty Safari for a once in a life time day!

Had the best day out ever on the weekend aboard K’gari Salty Safaris, crew took us straight to the best spots where we got to see a bunch of whales as well as swim along side them as they hung around the boat, along with seeing plenty of other amazing sea animals and dingoes! Stopped off at pelican banks which was amazing! Would highly recommend!!

We saw Loggerhead sea turtles, sting rays we loved the snorkelling in the crystal clear water We recently went out with the crew at Salty Safaris. We went to explore the gorgeous West Coast of Fraser Island. On this trip, we discovered everything that makes the Fraser Coast so special, from swimming with humpback whales to witnessing whales breaching, observing wild dingos in action, and enjoying the crystal-clear blue waters this side of Fraser is famous for. That wasn't all; we also saw dolphins and turtles among many other things. The crew was absolutely amazing, and the music set the vibe for a great day we will cherish forever. Don't look past these guys when booking a tour of the West Coast in Hervey Bay; you won't regret it.

An unbelievable experience. The best thing about being in a smaller boat was the ability to get as close as possible to these wonderful creatures. It was magical

Fantastic to see another tourism company upholding great value and service for locals and travellers! Outstanding experience with the whales, friendly staff and a fast, modern vessel to get you there and back safely.

What a fabulous day!

Comfortable boat.
Everything provided for easy snorkelling with the kids. Beautiful beaches, perfect weather. Drinks available too. And sunscreen! The crew were excellent. Helpful informative and didn't once try to pepper us with useless and or boring information. (something that has always annoyed me) Fantastic professional service. A great day.
Thankyou

K’gari Salty Safari - the best way to see Fraser Island by water! We arranged a private group booking and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had a mix of adults, teenagers and children. Sam and Liberty made us feel so welcomed, sharing their extensive local knowledge and showing the magical western side of K’Gari (Fraser Island). Sam had a cheeky sense of humour appreciated by all. We would all highly recommend this trip to visitors or locals. Excellent value for money. Thank you all. When arranging the day, Tahni was very helpful and accomodating. Absolutely would do this again!

Salty Safari’s Western Wonders tour not only exceeded my expectations, but was hands down the best experience I have ever had out on the water! From start to finish, the crew had high energy, a sense of humour and stacks of local knowledge - its clear to see they love what they do. We were met with the thrill of cruising the ocean, weaving our way, taking in the beauty of K’Gari, yet made to feel so safe doing so. The tour was FANTASTIC, we never once felt rushed as we enjoyed snorkelling at Coffee rock with turtles, stopping for scenic pictures of Fraser Island, then hopping on to the Island to tick it off the bucket list and spending some time in the sun with activities provided (such as beach cricket, stand up paddle boarding, beach soccer/football, quoits etc!) We were blessed with a stop at Pelican Bank for lunch which just absolutely topped the day off, swimming in pristine blue waters.
I can’t recommend them enough! Thanks Sam & Liberty for an epic day! I will be back and bringing more friends/family to enjoy everything you have to offer.

BEST EXPERIENCE ON THE WATER EVER!!! Salty Safari’s Western Wonders tour not only exceeded my expectations, but was hands down the best experience I have ever had out on the water! From start to finish, the crew had high energy, a sense of humour and stacks of local knowledge - its clear to see they love what they do. We were met with the thrill of cruising the ocean, weaving our way, taking in the beauty of K’Gari, yet made to feel so safe doing so. The tour was FANTASTIC, we never once felt rushed as we enjoyed snorkelling at Coffee rock with turtles, stopping for scenic pictures of Fraser Island, then hopping on to the Island to tick it off the bucket list and spending some time in the sun with activities provided (such as beach cricket, stand up paddle boarding, beach soccer/football, quoits etc!) We were blessed with a stop at Pelican Bank for lunch which just absolutely topped the day off, swimming in pristine blue waters.
I can’t recommend them enough! Thanks Sam & Liberty for an epic day! I will be back and bringing more friends/family to enjoy everything you have to offer.

Fun day out on the water Fun day out along the island, boat was comfortable and the snorkel with a turtle was a highlight. Kids loved puddling around in the creek and swimming from the beach. A great way to spend the first day of the new year!

A great day out on the Fraser Coast We had such an enjoyable day. The boat trip was fast and fun. We saw turtles, sting rays and dolphins (and a pirate ship - but I think we fluked that one). The snorkelling was great. The crew were friendly, informative, and made sure everyone was comfortable, safe and enjoying the trip. We had a lovely lunch and beach games (boards, balls and games all supplied). GREAT DAY out exploring the Fraser Coast.

We had such an amazing day on the Western Wonders tour. The day was the perfect balance between relaxing and fun and we enjoyed beautiful weather and amazing scenery. We spent the day snorkelling, swimming, playing beach games, paddle boarding and exploring. We saw lots of fish while snorkelling and were lucky enough to swim with a huge loggerhead turle. We also saw dolphins on our way back in. The staff were so friendly and helpful and made the day alot of fun. This is such a great way to see the highlights of the island with everything you need provided for you.

Speed boat and nature ! Perfect ! Fast boat, amazing guide and attentive driver, saw huge turtles and sting rays. Not too many on the boat so had the vip treatment. Good tunes too !

What a day!!! The Western Wonders tour was amazing. The perfect mix of fun and adventure. Some of the most breathtaking scenery around. The chance to hop out and soak up the sun, sand and clear turquoise waters with the addition of island activities and snorkeling made for the perfect day. Many thanks to the crew for being so accommodating - Julie

Amazing experience! Not only did we see k'gari (or Fraser island) up close from different angles. We also felt alive while doing so (especially during the crazy ride on the boat)! If you want to enjoy nature, learn a bit and play around, then definitely a big reccomendation! Thank you again staff Kyra & Sam!

The Western Wonders trip - incredible! The sights we saw were jaw dropping! Such a beautiful part of the world. This tour really brings the good vibes. The boat is fast and so much fun. The tunes were pumping, the drinks were cold and the guys onboard were knowledgeable and helpful. An awesome balance of adventure and relaxation. Highly recommend!!!

Fantastic Salty Safari! So much fun. Would love to go again. Music, beach games, SUP, snorkelling... we saw fish, crabs, turtles and dolphins. Ice cold drinks on board, lunch pack is a must. Such great value - we had the best time, highly recommend!

I just came back from an amazing sunset cruise (Funset) with K’gari Salty-Safari and I had the best time. This review won’t make them justice because I had so much fun I didn’t touch my phone during the entire cruise. There was speed, water splash, fun, music, games, K’gari, sunset… and I can’t wait to go on tour with them again. Highly recommended!