Join us On a small boat Whale Watching Adventure!
Are you ready to be impressed by Mother Nature?
- Whale Watching Day Tours
- 3 Day Humpback Whale Research Expeditions
- Small group with maximum of 8 participants
- Closer encounters possible
- Participate in research activities (optional)
- Hotel transfers available
- Departs ex Runaway Bay Marina
Highlights from a recent Whale Watching Tour
Enjoy watching this video and get an impression of what it is like to go on one of our whale watching tours. We often get the opportunity to get really close and personal to the whales. It’s an experience you probably won’t forget.
What does a typical Whale Watching Experience look like?
1. Arrive at Runaway Bay Marina
Please arrive at least 15min prior to the scheduled departure time to make sure you find a free car park and to use the bathroom before you depart. This is also a good time to take seasickness medication if required. 
2. Meet and greet the skipper and other guests
Once all guests have arrived, you will be guided to our vessel, just a short walk away from our meeting point. We always love it if our guests are on time.
3. Safety Brief & Bording
You will listen to a short boat safety brief which includes the use of a life jacket, where to sit and how to best hold on. Our skipper will also issue you our courtesy spray jackets to keep you dry.
4. Boat Departure
Now the fun begins. The first 10min of your cruise will be through the calm Broadwater, before heading out into the open ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and rays.
5. Watch The Whales
Now we need everyone’s help as we are looking for breaches and blows in the distance. This can take between 15min and 1h depending on the day and it is absolutely on the animals terms.
6. Arrive Back At The Marina
Depending on how far offshore the whales took us, it may take us up to 30min to get back home. On our return trip we often find even more whales.
What others say about us
Matt was absolutely the best Captain we could have hoped for. My husband’s parents were visiting us and they are senior citizens. Matt was super kind and was exceptionally safe when he was manoeuvring the vessel. We not only witnessed the magnificent whales, but also caught glimpses of some dolphins. An exceptional experience that we plan to do every year. Would highly recommend to people who wish to have a personalised experience in a small boat as the whales are not afraid to show off! 🙂
Best whale watching on the Gold Coast! Smaller boats mean more adventure, more authentic, and more intimate with the whales. Really awesome crew who really care about the whales (they’re also involved in research). We were surrounded by whales playing with pods of dolphins…and the dolphins were playing with our boat too, leaping out of the water. Totally recommend this team! Thanks for the best afternoon!!
Soooooo much more fun than the big whale watching ships 
…. we were able to zoom over to where the whales were swimming and see a manta ray leap out of the water and have a hammerhead shark 🦈 pass under the boat.
The whales were so close!
A great afternoon out and so inexpensive…. remember to take lots of close up photos!
You can’t do that on a packed out tourist ship!
Are you ready to book your Whale Watching Adventure?
Join our friendly crew on a once in a lifetime experience!
Where to find us?
Marina Berth Runaway Bay
Runaway Bay Marina / 247 Bayview St, Runaway Bay, Qld 4216 (inside the marina).
We meet within the car park at Runaway Bay Marina, right next to the Marina Office but not inside the Marina Office. Please refrain from reporting to the Marina Office staff. If you are early, simply wait..
