Mooloolaba Whale Watching Tour (June – Oct)

Departs Daily (Jun – Oct): 8am, 11am and 2pm
2 Hours | From $75 | Up to 20 People

There is no better place to witness the spectacular humpback whale migration than the picturesque Mooloolaba coastline.

Adventure Rafting has operated Whale Watching tours on the Sunshine Coast since 2018 and is proudly the highest rated Whale Watching Tour provider in Mooloolaba. Specialising in small group tours, with only 20 guests on board, you’ll enjoy an intimate and exciting experience, ensuring front-row access to the breathtaking humpback whale spectacle.

Our new state-of-the-art vessel minimises travel time and loading/unloading times due to the small numbers of guests onboard, giving you more precious moments with these magnificent creatures. Built to the same design as offshore rescue vessels, with its powerful 1200hp engines, rigid hull design and high back seats provide safety, speed and comfort for an enjoyable Whale Watching tour.

Our friendly and experienced crew is dedicated to making your Whale Watching experience both entertaining and educational. Throughout your Whale Watching Tour they will share their in-depth knowledge to educate you about humpback whales whilst you watch them perform breath-taking breaches, loud tail slaps, spy hops and peduncle throws in the beautiful waters of the Sunshine Coast. Our Mooloolaba Whale Watching Tour is an absolute must for your Sunshine Coast, or Mooloolaba to do list.

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About the tour

Mooloolaba Whale Watching Experience

Hop Aboard Mooloolaba’s Top-Rated Whale Watching Tour!

Experience the magic of our Mooloolaba Whale Watching Adventure—truly one-of-a-kind on the Sunshine Coast! With just 20 guests on board, you’ll enjoy an intimate and exciting experience, ensuring front-row access to the breathtaking humpback whale spectacle.

Our new state-of-the-art vessel minimises travel time and also loading/unloading times due to the small numbers of guests onboard, giving you more precious moments with these magnificent creatures.

Don’t miss this unforgettable adventure—book your spot today and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Tour Highlights

Up close and personal without the crowds
Less travel time, more whale time
Safe and fast offshore vessel
Highly experienced and friendly crew
Informative and entertaining commentary
Uninterrupted views from every seat
Intimate group of up-to 20 guests onboard
New 12m Woody Marine Rib
Onboard toilet

What to Bring

Sunscreen
Water/drink
Hat
Sunglasses
Weather appropriate clothing
We have an onboard toilet for your convenience

Departure Info

Our Mooloolaba Whale Watching tour departs daily at 8am, 11am and 2pm June to October from The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557.
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to sailing as parking can be difficult during peak times. You’ll find us at The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557, Marina berth 42 next to Prawn Star.
There is free 4-hour parking available at The Wharf complex. Please note, parking is limited, please leave yourself ample time to secure a car park as it can get very busy.
You can view our extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Conditions here.

Tour Requirements

Passengers must be 5 years or older.
A reasonable level of movement and agility is required for participants.
If you are pregnant, unfortunately, this tour is not for you.
All passengers must complete a participation waiver for each guest prior to travelling. You can access the waiver here.
If there are multiple people on your booking, please forward this confirmation email to the remaining party members so they can complete the waiver.
You can view our extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Conditions here.

Whale watchings faqs

🐋 What’s the best time of day to go whale watching?

We often get asked whether mornings or afternoons are better for whale watching. Honestly, there’s no definite answer — sometimes the morning is spectacular, other times the afternoon delivers the magic. Sometimes, both!

Generally speaking, mornings can be calmer on the water, but it’s not guaranteed. So our best advice? Choose the time that suits you best!

🐋 Will I see whales early in the season?

Humpback whales are wild and free — every encounter is completely on their terms. Between mid-May and early July, the whales are migrating north along the east coast of Australia to mate and give birth.

During this early part of the season, sightings are definitely possible (and exciting!), though we may need to travel further offshore to find them. With an estimated 40,000–50,000 whales expected to pass by in 2026, your chances are promising!

🧥 What should I wear on my whale watching cruise?

Even with the gorgeous Sunshine Coast weather, it can get chilly out on the water — especially from June to August. We recommend dressing warmly during these months.

Here’s what we suggest:

Secure hats (it can get windy!)
Sunglasses and sunscreen (always!)
Shorts or pants
Flat, closed-in shoes

🐳 What kind of whale behaviours might we see?

Humpback whales are known for their spectacular surface displays — they’re some of the most playful and visible whales around! You might witness:

Breaching (leaping out of the water)
Tail slapping
Spy hopping (popping their heads above water)
Logging (resting at the surface)

They may swim beside or even underneath the boat — or, sometimes, choose to keep their distance. Every trip is different, and every sighting is special.

🕗 When do your whale watching cruises depart?

We operate 7 days a week from June 1 to October 31, with departures at:

8:00 AM
11:00 AM
2:00 PM

📍 Where do your tours depart from?

All tours depart from:
The Wharf Mooloolaba
123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557, Marine Berth 42 next to Prawn Star restaurant.

You’ll find our vessel next to the floating restaurant boats Prawn Star. Please wait up on the balcony outside The Dock bar overlooking the marina berths and we’ll call you down when its time to go!

🚗 Is there parking available?

Yes! The Wharf Mooloolaba offers free 4-hour parking. Just a heads up — it can get busy, so we recommend arriving with extra time to find a spot.

👶 Is there an age limit for your tours?

Yes, children must be at least 5 years old to join our whale watching tours.

🤰 Can I join a tour if I’m pregnant?

For safety reasons, our whale watching tours are not suitable for pregnant guests. We appreciate your understanding.

🤢 What if I get seasick?

Our friendly crew will take good care of you if you’re feeling unwell. We recommend taking motion sickness tablets beforehand if you’re prone to seasickness, just to be safe.

🚻 Is there a toilet onboard?

Yes, our vessel has a toilet onboard for your comfort and convenience.

💰 How much does it cost?

Adults (15+) – $99.00
Children (5–14 years) – $75.00
Family Pass (2 Adults + 2 Children) – $320.00

🛒 How do I book a whale watching tour?

Easy! Book online anytime — we offer live availability and a safe, secure checkout:
👉 Book your whale watching tour

👥 How many people are on each tour?

We specialise in small-group tours with a maximum of 20 guests per trip. That means a more personal, front-row experience with these incredible creatures.

🐋 Do you guarantee whale sightings?

While we can’t guarantee sightings — whales are wild, after all — our experienced team does everything possible to give you the best chance of seeing them in their natural habitat.

We’re not visiting trained animals in a tank — we’re entering their world, and every day is different. Some days the whales are incredibly active, and others they may be more elusive. Fortunately, missed sightings are rare, and most trips deliver unforgettable moments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book?

We absolutely recommend booking your tour in advance. This ensures your place is confirmed as we tend to book out and would hate for you to miss out! We have live online availability and you can see our full list of Mooloolaba tours here.

What if it rains (or is windy etc.)?

We don’t head out in pouring rain, your comfort and safety is our first priority. If there is moderate, widespread rain we will cancel the tour. If there are only a few scattered, light showers the tour will most likely go ahead. If the tour is cancelled, you will be contacted via the email address you provided when you made your booking. We closely monitor the forecast and always try to give as much notice as possible. The same applies if it is too windy or the swell is too big.

Is there somewhere I can store my bag(s)?

We have a small cabin onboard where belongings can be safely stowed. You can also store your bag under your seat. As space is limited please only bring essential items with you.

What should I wear?

We are blessed with beautiful Sunshine Coast sunshine for most of the year, however, we generally suggest you rug up onboard from June to August, it can get cold out on the water. Sunglasses and sunscreen are highly recommended on every trip no matter what the weather forecast. We recommend pants or shorts. Flat, closed-in shoes are recommended. A well secured hat can be worn, but please note, we only go back for hats if there is a head in them.

Are your tours suitable for children?

Our Wildlife and Whale Watching tours are sure to be the highlight of your time in Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast! Suitable for children aged 5+ we offer unforgettable fun for the whole family!

Will I get wet?

A cheeky splash is part of the adventure! How wet you may get all depends on the sea conditions and how adventurous you want to be. Our friendly skippers do their best to keep you dry, however, sometimes they can’t help it.

What do I need to bring?

We do our best to stay paperless, so there is no need to print your ticket or participation waiver. Simply fill-in your waiver online and present your online ticket to the team upon arrival. We recommend everyone brings a well-secured hat, sunglasses and wears sunscreen. Additionally, we recommend wearing enclosed shoes and warm clothing on our Whale Watching tours during winter.

I’m pregnant, can I come?

Our tours are not suitable for pregnant passengers. Sorry.

What is the minimum age requirement?

The minimum age requirement for our tours is 5 years old.

Is there a maximum age limit?

Age is just a number, but if you have a serious injury or medical condition (see question below) our tours are probably not for you. All guests are required to have a reasonable level of movement and agility.

Can I go if I have an injury, disability or medical condition?

Depending on the nature of the injury, disability or medical condition. To participate you must be able to get in and out of the boat and you must also be able to absorb any impact that may be endured over waves. The tour is not recommended for people with back and/or spinal injuries. If in doubt, speak to the Adventure Rafting team directly. Any pre-existing injuries or health conditions must be declared prior to travel.

What is your cancellation policy?

Should a tour be cancelled due to weather, low passenger numbers or other unforeseen circumstances, an open-dated ticket (redeemable for 12 months) will be offered or a full refund rewarded at the point of cancellation. Adventure Rafting customers who give more than 48 hours’ notice of cancellation will receive an open-dated ticket (redeemable for 12 months) or a full refund rewarded at point of canellation. Customers who cancel within 48 hours from time of departure will not be entitled to a refund. All gift vouchers are non refundable and can only be redeemed for a trip with adventure rafting. Customers who fail to attend will not be entitled to a refund. Please note: All cancellations must be made in writing via email.

Where should we park?

The Wharf Mooloolaba, where Adventure Rafting departs offers free 4-hour parking. Please allow yourself plenty of time to find a car park, parking is limited and can get very busy! For additional parking information download our Mooloolaba Parking map here.

Where do we check-in for our tour?

The Adventure Rafting vessel is located at marina berth 42 next to Prawn Star floating restaurant at The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade, 4557 Please head towards The Dock bar and wait up on the balcony overlooking the marina berths and we’ll call you down when it’s time to go! Please leave plenty of time for parking and finding the meeting point.

Do I have to sign a participation waiver?

All passengers must sign our safety waiver prior to boarding. You can access the Adventure Rafting waiver by clicking here. If there are multiple people on your booking, please forward the link to the remaining party members so they can also complete the waiver. There is no need to print your waiver, it is an online form that will be automatically submitted upon completion.

Where do I find the participation waiver?

How many people do you take?

No one likes to get lost in the crowd. Our tours take a maximum of 20 guests Whale watching and 23 on other tours to ensure a personalised experience.

What type of boat is it?

Our new vessel is a 12m Woody Marine Rib(Rigid Inflatable Boat). Built to the same design as offshore rescue vessels, with four 300hp Yamaha engines, rigid hull design and high back seats the boat provides safety, speed and comfort.

Is there a toilet onboard?

Yes, our vessel has an onboard toilet for your convenience.

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