FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We Have Answered Some Of Your Most Commonly Asked Questions. If You Can’t Find Your
Answer Here, Please Send Us An Email Per Our Contact Form.
Are kids allowed on board?
The minimum age is 10 years. This is due to the smaller size of the vessel. Any minors between 10 and 18 years should be accompanied by an adult.
I am little older and not very fit. Can I still participate?
Our experiences are conducted on small vessels which is our key point of difference, providing a unique and personalised experience with a private feel. This comes with some trade-off to comfort and luxury. We therefore require each participant to be of reasonable health and fitness in order to hold on and board and disembark the vessel. Email us if you are not sure and consult your treating doctor.
I am pregnant. Can I still come whale watching?
Possibly no as the boat ride can be a bumpy one. Consult your doctor and obtain medical clearance.
Is whale watching from a small boat dangerous?
No. A whale has an incredible awareness of its surroundings and will never touch the vessel even if swimming right underneath it, only centimetres away from boat. Accidents such as collisions only occur when vessels travel around whales at high speeds which is against any common sense and good practice.
Is whale watching from a small boat right for me?
If you are scared of the ocean, feel uncomfortable by the thought of maybe getting wet, get seasick and/or are physically weak or disabled in any way then you should definitely choose a large whale watching vessel instead. This is not an us vs. them. Everyone has different needs and preferences so crowded but large and stable vessel is the better choice for many people.
Will I get wet on your tour?
Possibly YES. It is rare however, higher winds along with bigger waves can result in water spray blowing over the vessel. We do provide courtesy spray jackets, but your legs could still get wet. We recommend wearing appropriate clothes and treat the potential spray as part of the adventure. You will also find that we cancel our cruises much earlier than the bigger boats as we are more exposed.
How close do we get to whales?
We are not allowed to approach whales closer than 100m unless we operate a specific research trip in which case our permits allow an approach distance of 30m HOWEVER, whales do often not stick to the 100m rule and chose to approach our boat much closer. If this happens our engines will usually get turned off to not disturb the whales. How close the whale comes to the boat is absolutely on the animals terms and can’t be influenced by us.
Do you offer a whale sighting guarantee?
Yes, we do however, we will only provide you with a standby ticket as our availability is very limited being a small vessel (no refunds). We are dealing with nature and can’t control the environment. Our sighting success rate is about 98% so don’t be too concerned. A sightings guarantee applies to the months of June to September only. Refer to our terms and conditions for a detailed write up.
I am booked on a whale watching cruise and want to confirm my booking?
There is no need to confirm a booking. Your booking is confirmed unless cancelled by us in which case we will contact you via email and SMS.
I need booking details for my upcoming cruise. What are the details?
You would have received a booking confirmation email at the time of your booking. If not, please check your spam folder. This email contains detailed information about your booking along with everything you need to know. You will also receive the same confirmation as a reminder 24h prior to your cruise. If you still have questions please email us?
I can’t find your phone number on your website?
There is no phone number on our website. We are running very lean and prefer to communicate via email in the first instance. If you already made a booking, your confirmation email and reminder email will include an emergency number to ring.
What is your cancellation policy?
All tours can be cancelled without penalty up to 3 days prior to the cruise. Within 3 days, 100% cancellation fee applies. We will however try reselling your spots in case you need to cancel within the 3 day penalty period. All cancellations must be made via email to hello@seathegoldcoast.com.au
Is there free parking at Runaway Bay Marina?
Yes. All our tour guests are allowed to park within the marina for the duration of our tour.
Can I get to Runaway Bay Marina via public transport?
Absolutely. Catch the tram to Southport and then the Surfside Bus to Hope Island/Sanctuary Cove. Disembark at the Runaway Bay Marina bus stop on Bayview Street.