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Maptlantis

Humpback whale · Australia

Where to see humpback whales in Australia

Operators 36Season May–NovRegions 20Published prices 34Encounter formats 5
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About this list

A common trap when looking for places to see humpback whales in Australia is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the humpback whale as a target species, 36 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Jervis Bay Territory, Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales, NSW, Mid North Coast, NSW, Newcastle, NSW, Port Stephens and NSW, South Coast. Encounters are split into land-based watching, boat-based watching, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Two "humpback whale tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. 34 of the 36 operators (94%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. The 36 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in Australia cluster in May–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.

Humpback whale season in Australia

May–Nov

  1. JanJanuary: not in season
  2. FebFebruary: not in season
  3. MarMarch: not in season
  4. AprApril: not in season
  5. MayMay: in season
  6. JunJune: in season, singled out
  7. JulJuly: in season, singled out
  8. AugAugust: in season, singled out
  9. SepSeptember: in season, singled out
  10. OctOctober: in season, singled out
  11. NovNovember: in season, singled out
  12. DecDecember: not in season

The months 36 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the humpback whale season table.

36 listed operators

Humpback whales in Australia, by region

Humpback whales in Australia, by way to meet them

Humpback whale season

Humpback whales in other countries

Other marine life in Australia

Activities in Australia

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see humpback whales in Australia?

36 operators name the humpback whale as a target species. Main regions: Jervis Bay Territory, Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales, NSW, Mid North Coast, NSW, Newcastle, NSW, Port Stephens and NSW, South Coast.

Do you have to get in the water to see humpback whales?

Formats on record: land-based watching, boat-based watching, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.

When is humpback whale season?

The 36 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in Australia cluster in May–Nov. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.

Will I definitely see them?

No. Humpback whales are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.