Experience stunning hervey bay whale watching aboard the spirit of hervey bay, the largest vessel in the area with the largest viewing area of any other boat with 6 viewing decks to choose from, an underwater viewing room, a hydrophone and an accredited commentary during the journey, youll have every opportunity to watch and learn about these magnificent creatures and then tell everyone. The whale watching season in hervey bay runs from july november. The east coast of australia is like a highway for the humpback whale migration which sees the whales travel from the cold waters of the arctic, north to the warmer waters off australias north coasts. Stay two nights during whalewatching season at mantra hervey bay and receive two bottles of wine, a hervey bay souvenir pack and 10 per cent. The season runs from july to november with tours starting midjuly and ending at the end of october. To mark the start of hervey bay whale season the town hosts an annual festival called hervey bay ocean festival. With 3,000 of these mammals making their way through the waters during the season, many whale watching tours in hervey bay will offer guaranteed sightings at certain times. By late october there are fewer whales in the bay and operators end whale watching on the 31st of october. Whale watching tours and dolphin watching tours across hervey bay and fraser island. If you can plan your visit to hervey bay during the hervey bay whale festival, you wont be disappointed. The sunshine coast and hervey bay where the whales stay and rest before migrating in queensland, australia offer reliable whale watching conditions for southern humpback whales from the end of june through to the end of november each year. Whales hervey bay whale heritage site visit fraser coast. Whale numbers and activity have increased markedly in recent years. Spirit of hervey bay whale watch from hervey bay whalefree.
Hervey bay whale watch brian and jill perry began commercial whale watching in australia back in 1987 in the calm, pristine waters of hervey bay. The orrca trains individuals in preparation for the whale watching season for marine mammal rescue. Hervey bay whale watch season what has caused this longer season. Whale in bay this video, filmed by pacific eagle air cam camera drone specialists in california, was shared by fishing southeast qld who wrote it was shot in hervey bay. Oct 22, 20 stay two nights during whale watching season at mantra hervey bay and receive two bottles of wine, a hervey bay souvenir pack and 10 per cent off all whale watching tours booked through reception. Whale watching season in hervey bay is known for spotting humpback whales on their migration from antarctica to the great barrier reef. Hervey bay premium whale watching cruise 467 beoordelingen.
All hervey bay whale watching operators guarantee sightings or a free ticket for another cruise from july 28th to october 14th, with plentiful whales in the bay from the start of august. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. This one day package includes a morning whale watch cruise departing at 7am, a light breakfast and morning tea, then hop off at kingfisher bay resort at 12noon and enjoy lunch at the sandbar. To view or download the be whale aware guidelines for australia, please click here. Captained and crewed by our experienced team with many years of local whale watch experience youre in for a great day.
I have to tell you wow, whale watching was the most amazing experience and i cant believe in all. The hervey bay whale watching season runs from late july to the end of october. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Whether you want to commit to a half day, or full day whale watching tour, the range of whale watching options available in hervey bay is amazing. You learn this quickly enough on board any whalewatching cruise in hervey bay, the socalled whale watching capital of the world. The whale watching capital of australia, hervey bay, is a popular spot for our biggest coastal visitors, the humpback whales from june to november.
We even guarantee whale sightings, meaning you get a full refund to a free return cruise outside specific dates if none are spotted on your trip. Whale number have increased from about 2,000 in 1992, to around 33,000 in. The whalewatching capital of australia, hervey bay, is a popular spot for our biggest coastal visitors, the humpback whales from june to november. Compare whale watch tours whale watch tour bookings. Our hervey bay whale watching tours are certainly a fantastic experience so. Next level whale watching swim with the humpbacks at. But dont forget to keep your eyes peeled for other marine wildlife, who often put on equally impressive behavioural displays. Whether you want to commit to a half day, or full day whale watching tour, the range of. These trips are usually for 3 days and 2 nights and fish the abundant waters of fraser island. While the whales are a little sparse early in the season you are guaranteed to see some dolphins and also enjoy the day out on the water. Your morning tour focuses on discovering the abundant marine life, such as the resident bottlenose dolphins, australian humpback dolphins, dugongs and turtles. Humpback whales in hervey bay this season hervey bay forum.
After lunch, self walks and activities are at your own leisure before boarding the ferry at 5pm to river heads with a courtesy drop off to your hervey bay. The whales you see enmass on the fraser coast are humpback whales and they can migrate over 5,000 km each year from the antarctic into tropical waters to mate and give birth to their young. Jun 12, 2014 as a result, whale watching is big business in hervey bay, with currently nine operators offering all sorts of whalebased experiences. During the season, thousands of majestic humpbacks visit the calm protected waters of the bay for their annual holiday, and allow guests the. Local marine researchers have discovered that whales are much more likely to coast over and say hello if you shout, jump and cause a commotion because, as naturally inquisitive creatures, the noise piques their. Baby whales show off, whales mug our boat, blue oceans, perfect weather, a room with a view, mouthwatering food and tropical cocktails on the harbour equals a fantastic weekend of whale watching in hervey bay. While whales can be seen during july, this is often referred to as whale spotting season and your chances of seeing a whale or pod of whales is lower. Hervey bay whale watching emeraldene inns hervey bay blog. Hervey bay whale watching has become a signature activity for tourists visiting the region, as it is one of the best locations to view the humpback whales on their annual migrations. Hervey bay is known as the best whale watching spot in australia, if not the world, because of the unique experience of close encounters with the whales. During whale season, all freedom whale watch packages include transfers.
Freedom can offer you a fantastic day out on the waters of hervey bay, queensland to see the amazing humpback whales in their natural environment. Hervey bay is the whale watching capital of australia, with humpback whales migrating along the coast between april and october every year. Jun, 2016 hervey bay is an incredible place to enjoy whale watching. Download our whale watch brochure for more information about us and the tour. It was the first wet whale day of the season but the whales dont seem to mind thanks for choosing freedom iii and we look forward to that return visit. Skipper brian and the hervey bay whale watch leave kingfisher bay resort at fraser island daily during whale watching season 1 august to 31 october. Outside of whale season freedom iii is available for mother shipping charters. The spirit is a very fast boat which allows them to spend the most time with the whales, less time travelling. From june to november you can see majestic humpback whales up close and personal in. Hervey bay whale watching deals 2020 experience oz. The best time to experience whale watching in hervey bay is from august to the end of october. Scan the seas for a flash or a splash, signalling the start of your aweinspiring experience.
Whale watching tours, hervey bay see the majestic humpback. Hervey bay is about a 4 hour drive north of brisbane on the fraser coast and from july through to october each year its whale season. The beginning of the season is the primary time for whale swims, into early september. The best whale watching boat in hervey bay tripadvisor. Amazing whale watch footage with whales singing right next to the boat. Compare whale watching companies and cruise options. Hervey bay whale watch has been a family run business for over 30 years here in. Humpback whale clear and unbiased facts about rorqual. Our whale watching tours from hervey bay commence in midjuly and extend to early november as part of the humpback whales annual migration along the east coast of australia. Here they calve and raise their young before returning south. Whales can still be seen in november but the best time to spot whales is from early august until late september. One of the oceans smartest creatures, the humpback whale, has made hervey bay its primary holiday destination, stopping for up to 10 days rest and recreation during their annual migration between july and september each year.
Whale watching in hervey bay deals and tips for the 2020. Cruise the calm waters of the great sandy strait exploring the remote west coast of world heritage listed fraser island and the pristine pelican bank. Hervey bay, whale watching fraser island tours palms hervey bay. Firstly there is a significant increase in the actual number of whales and where in the past only a few pods were seen very early or very late in the season, more and more whales are being sighted during this time. From full day whale watching freedom iii hervey bay. Produced in partnership between tourism and events queensland teq and fraser coast tourism and events fcte, the 90 second video is a compelling. Spirit of hervey bay for the best value whale watch cruises in hervey bay. Freedom whale watch hervey bay 2020 all you need to. Pdf this article examines the evolution of whale watching in hervey bay, queensland in relation to the butler.
Hervey bay is the best whale watching destination in australia. The original season appeared rather short, from the second week of august to the third week into october, but during 1993 it became obvious, that hervey bay can guarantee fabulous whale watching from the end of july till the beginning of november. Great value packages and deals available this whale watching season. Book online today or call us to discuss your tour booking requirements. After 30 years of running and operating hervey bay whale watch they sold the business to the peaker family long time friends in 2017. Whalesong cruises is usually the first boat to launch for the season, and from late june will start whale search. Hervey bay local vicki neville is the hero in the latest queensland tourism promotional video as she invites tourists to connect with nature during the regions annual whale watching season. During the season, thousands of majestic humpbacks visit the calm protected waters of the bay for their annual holiday, and allow guests the opportunity to get up close and. The best time whale watching experiences are between august and late september.
Our research in australia began in hervey bay in 1984 when pacific whale. Full refunds for the swim are issued if unsuccessfulunable to procceed. The whale watching season hervey bay begins in midjuly and lasts until midnovember. Whale watch cruise kingfisher bay resort fraser island. The whales start to arrive in july and tours begin in the middle of the month. Explore the thriving waters near fraser island step aboard the spirit of hervey bay for an unforgettable 12 day cruise that takes you past the picturesque white sand beaches of fraser island and. We invite you aboard quick cat ii this season to experience the magnificent. From june to november you can see majestic humpback whales up close and personal in their natural playground. Commercial whalewatching in hervey bay only began in 1987, but it has expanded dramatically.
The department of environment and heritage regulates the activity closely. It makes sense to take your family holiday cues from a mammal with a brain at least seven times bigger than your own, which is why whale watching in hervey bay has officially been recognised as one of the worlds best ways to witness this heartstopping phenomenon holiday like a humpback with a family migration to the warm waters of official whale heritage site hervey bay next winter, and. Watch the gentle giants of the sea spyhop, tail slap and breach. Whale watching tours hervey bay, fraser island, queensland. Full day whale watching freedom iii hervey bay epic. Highlights include a jazz festival, the blessing of. Sep 25, 2016 whale watching in hervey bay during the annual migration, its whales galore in hervey bay. With a large variety tour operators suitable for everyones budget, booking a cruise to encounter.
Held over a week at the start of august, the hervey bay whale festival celebrates the return of the whales. Whale watching in hervey bay during the annual migration, its whales galore in hervey bay. Hervey bay is an incredible place to enjoy whale watching. Get a group together for some great fishing action with experienced guides in smaller boats. About freedom whale watch freedom iii is a comfortable 58ft power catamaran which operates. Researchers at the oceania project conducted a 25year study which found the bay was an important social hub for humpback whales. Whale watching is a popular pastime in australia, whether from the land or on a whale watching tour. The hervey bay whale watching season begins on the 19th of july with whalesong beginning their season with a whalesearch from the 7th of july. Freedom whale watch hervey bay 2020 all you need to know. Highlights include a jazz festival, the blessing of the fleet and a street parade.
Whale watching season hervey bay, australia passport and. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. Whale muggings are common, when one or more of these curious creatures approaches and stays close to the boat for an extended period of time. The humpbacks of hervey bay are also the most active, playful and inquisitive whales found anywhere in the world. In october 2019, during the world whale conference, hervey bay was crowned the worlds first whale heritage site by the world cetacean alliance this means that hervey bay is recognized as one of the best destinations globally for responsible dolphin and whale watching, each of our operators obtaining advanced ecocertification to conduct such practices. Mar 22, 2012 amazing whale watch footage with whales singing right next to the boat. This year we are expecting between 17,000 and 20,000.
More than 7,000 whales holiday in the fraser coast on their 5,000km migration from antarctica to teach their baby calves sweet skills like breaching, spy hopping, tummy flashes and plenty of other survival tools. Pacific whale foundation australia protecting the ocean. Prior to the conference, hervey bay s mayor took representatives of japan on a personal tour of the whale watching industry in hervey bay. Whether you are passionate about whale watching or just want to experience something new on your holiday, we offer a variety of affordable deals and packages that will suit your taste and budget.
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