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 see you for your upcoming tour with Cooly Eco Adventures.
The vessel will be departing for your adventure at the following location:
139-151 Chinderah Bay Drive
Chinderah NSW 2487
Australia
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
Our tours operate on QLD TIME
Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time for a quick safety briefing.
Please do not park out the front of the Cubby Bakehouse – there is plenty of alternative street parking. Feel free to grab a coffee and breakfast but allow yourself plenty of time as it is a popular spot!
WHAT TO BRING
It can be colder out on the water so come prepared. We recommend:
Light Jumper and Beanie
Spray Jacket/Waterproof Jacket
Sunglasses and Sunhat
Camera or GoPro etc.
Drinking Water
Unfortunately there is limited storage on board so no room for chunky bags or backpacks. There is a small amount of space under your seat for your belongings, and you can store any additional items in our locked trailer.
MOTION SICKNESS TABLETS
If you are prone to sea sickness, please consult your pharmacist and pick up some motion sickness tablets prior to joining us. We will have natural ginger remedies on board, but if you are likely to suffer from sea sickness, we recommend you consult your pharmacist for stronger alternatives.
DIRECTIONS
If you are driving from the south on the Pacific Motorway: Take the Kingscliff/Cudgen exit, and go left at the roundabout, follow this road.
If you are driving from the north on the Pacific Motorway, take the Kingscliff/Cudgen exit, and go right at the roundabout, passing under the motor way, and then follow this road.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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You all set the Gold Standard!!!!!
If you’re visiting the area, I can’t recommend this experience highly enough!
04/7/26
What I really loved is that the group sizes are small, on a smaller boat, and everything is done completely on the whale's terms, it's not guaranteed that the whales will swim with/near you, and I think that's exactly how it should be. It makes the whole experience feel so much more special and respectful of the animals.
We actually got to swim near the whales and saw so many breaching too, it was absolutely breathtaking, words can't describe. The staff were so kind, patient and knowledgeable, and I loved how they wove in information about the whales alongside the environmental impact humans have on the ocean and the whales' food source (krill).
I genuinely cannot stop thinking about it. I will be recommending Cooly Eco Adventures to absolutely everyone I meet, and will 100% be booking again! Thank you so much!
Swimming with the whales was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives, and the team made us feel safe, comfortable, and excited the entire time. Their respect for the whales and the ocean was really evident, which made the experience even more special.
If you’re thinking about booking a whale swim experience, do it and do it with Cooly Eco Adventures. It was an unforgettable day that we’ll be talking about for years to come. Thank you for such an amazing experience! 🐋💙🌊
An unforgettable day on the water — whale watching + swimming with turtles!
We booked the combo day (whale watching + swim with turtles) and honestly, it exceeded every expectation. Yes, whale watching always comes with an element of luck — but what sets Cooly Adventures apart is the crew’s knowledge, dedication, and willingness to keep moving until they find the action. And find it they did. We were treated to an incredible display of jumping and interaction that left us speechless.
I’ve done whale watching before with another company on a much larger boat, and it doesn’t even compare. The smaller boat makes ALL the difference — you feel completely immersed in the experience, up close and personal in a way a big vessel simply can’t deliver. It’s 10x better, no question.
The swim with turtles was equally magical. We were lucky enough to have perfect conditions — no swell — which allowed the crew to get us right up close to the island. Swimming alongside these gentle giants was surreal. The team’s knowledge shone through again, and the snorkelling equipment provided was top quality.
If you’re on the Gold Coast and on the fence about booking — just do it. The crew’s passion, expertise, and commitment to giving you the best possible experience make this an absolute must. We’ll be back! 🐋🐢
On arrival the team were super nice and friendly, very welcoming helping with wetsuits and flippers.
We went out on the boat and saw a pod of dolphins on the way, getting nice and close to them. Once at the island, we got into the water with the instructor who kept a careful eye on everyone and spotting the turtles and pointing them out for us.
I saw at least 5 turtles and the dolphins definitely made the trip.
The conditions were good and felt warm with the wetsuit.
It was my first time snorkeling, so with the flippers, jumping off the boat was a bit nerve wracking, but once you're in you get used to it!
Overall, amazing service, friendly staff and a great trip!
Turtles octopus squid fish starfish coral. Snowy and Jemma the operators made it so easy and safe. C u for whale season 😎
There is a bit of current to swim against, but if you're an average to good swimmer you'll be fine staff will help you out. Keep in mind it's not an aquarium, I see some comments complaining about the amount of turtles They're free to roam the whole ocean! The abundance of other sea life should make up for it if you see less.
I'll add the boat isn't huge but we own one of these RIBs and they are made to handle rough seas with ease, they're better than a big boat for snorkelling.
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!
































