Freedom Whale Watch
Freedom Whale Watch
5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view

About
Freedom III is a comfortable 58ft power catamaran which operates ¾ day whale watch cruises from July to October each year and departing from the Great Sandy Straits Marina in Urangan Harbour, Hervey Bay. Departing at 9:30 and returning after 4pm allows you plenty of time with the awe-inspiring humpback whales in Platypus Bay. The cruise along pristine Fraser Island’s western beaches can offer sightings of dingoes, schooling fish and numerous sea birds. Expert commentary by our knowledgeable skipper will keep you entertained. Home-baked morning tea, tropical buffet lunch as well as fruit and cheese platters for the return trip are all included as well as tea, coffee & filtered water all day. With maximum passenger numbers of 45 and three levels of viewing your whale watch experience will be memorable, informative and uncrowded. Freedom III can also be hired for private day charters or overnight trips on the Great Sandy Strait.
Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
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Freedom Whale Watch
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(161 reviews)
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5.0
1,846 reviews
Excellent
1,785
Very good
55
Average
5
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0
Terrible
1
Michael Laurance
Zurich, Switzerland13 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
What a truly magnificent experience. Cannot thank Toni and her incredible crew enough. My 11 year old was the only child on the tour and was treated royally; she cannot stop talking about her experience. Everything from the food to the hospitality was spot on, especially the magnificent humpbacks that paid us a visit. We've been out in Australia for around a month now and this was one of the highlights of our trip so far. Thanks guys, you're awesome 😎
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue D
5 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
Brilliant day out, lots of whales everywhere. Staff were great and food was good. Can’t recommend them enough
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa B
11 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Solo
Was a bucket list trip and it was better than I dreamt about. Fantastic staff, plenty of lovely food and heaps of whales, lots of mums and bags.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue S
1 contribution
Oct. 2023 • Family
Amazing trip today. Everything was perfect. Skipper Toni along with Matt & Abby were really great hosts. Everyone was part of trip, searching for whales, asking questions, was really great.
A great selection of food was served.
A great selection of food was served.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindsay D
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Family
Had a great day on the water with the whales. The catering was spot on and the crew were excellent, particularly Abby, an asset to your company!
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trail35448947970
2 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Friends
Can not thank Toni the Skipper and her wonderful crew, enough, for treating us so well. Been doing this every year since 1996 and this was the best experience ever. So many pods of whales to see due to Toni's ability to spot and approach with such great care. The respect for other boats was impressive. Good commentary, play list and food. Tried every tour operator, this was the best.
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Therese C
1 contribution
Aug. 2023 • Friends
We had an amazing day observing so many incredible whales. The staff were very attentive and we were told about the whales and their behaviour as we observed them. Food was delicious and it was good to be able to move around on the boat with the smaller group numbers in the tour. Will definitely do this trip again - next year hopefully.
Thank you to the staff of Freedom!
Thank you to the staff of Freedom!
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cinboo72
Rowville, Australia31 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
What an amazing day!!! Toni and her crew were fantastic, very hospitable
and knowledgeable. As a bonus we got to see plenty of whales and never felt rushed or that our time with any particular pod was cut short. The food was plentiful and delicious. A truly unbeatable day!
and knowledgeable. As a bonus we got to see plenty of whales and never felt rushed or that our time with any particular pod was cut short. The food was plentiful and delicious. A truly unbeatable day!
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boswell4
Kewarra Beach, Australia91 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
While the whales were plentiful and truly amazing, the staff made this an exceptional day. The weather was less than perfect but Skipper Toni, Abby and Matt went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed the experience.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SMreid58
It's wonderful to hear that the crew did their best to make you feel comfortable and well fed. The whales too have been amazing this season. We love sharing them with our wonderful passengers.
Written 19 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John S
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Couples
First class trip. Three quarter day gives at least twice as long at the whale bay than a half day trip. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Boat was comfortable, and they serve complementary tasty lunch and afternoon tea. A brilliant day out.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SMreid58
Thanks for your wonderful review. It is rewarding to hear that you enjoyed the hospitality as well as having more time to see our wonderful Humpback Whales.
Written 19 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Where do I go to book a whale watching tour in August
kreid2016
Hervey Bay, Australia21 contributions
Hi,
ring 0428251996
07 41251996
elvis1969
london68 contributions
Hi, we are coming in November and will be on Fraser Island. Is this a good time for whale watching or out of season? What would you recommend?
kreid2016
Hervey Bay, Australia21 contributions
November is too late for whales in the Bay. You may see them off the eastern coast of Fraser Island but it is right at the end of our season as the whales head south for cooler water and food.
HonoraryAussies
Birkenhead, UK180 contributions
We are staying at Urangan for a week in September and want to go whale watching as well as spending a day on Fraser Island. Are there any combined trips? Can we book when we arrive in the area or is it advisable to do so a while before we come?
kreid2016
Hervey Bay, Australia21 contributions
Sorry for the late respose. Septemer is a busy time for us with local school holidays so it is advisable to book ahead for both whales and Fraser. We dont package with Fraser trips but happy to help out if you need assistance. Fraser Explorer tours have a good range of tours. Pleas email us for more info
_airake
Malaga, Spain6 contributions
Hello! I travel to Australia from November 15-30. I would like to see whales, but I think it's too late. What activity could I contact with you to see marine animals in the wild?
SMR1958
Hervey Bay, Australia46 contributions
Hi There,
Sorry but you will be too late to see whales in November in Hervey Bay. our season ends in late October. The whales may still be around ports further south as they are migrating back to Antarctica.
Maz560
Melbourne, Australia13 contributions
I have booked to stay in harvey bay in mid june will we see whales
SMR1958
Hervey Bay, Australia46 contributions
I very much doubt there will be reliable whale sightings in June as we don't get the whales in the bay on their northern migration. They come into the bay on their return journey to the Antarctic Ocean and our tours commence on the 14 th July when we are pretty certain to have whales. Some other operators conduct whale search earlier than this but there would be no guarantee of sightings in June. Sorry
pg01
5 contributions
Hi. We are planning to visit Australia in March. Will there be any activities of interest in Hervay Bay then?
SMR1958
Hervey Bay, Australia46 contributions
It is not whale watch season till July but there is still heaps to do around Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast. Boating wise there are dolphin cruises with Blue Dolphin Marine tours, Beach and BBQ on Fraser Island with Whalesong Cruises, Remote Fraser Island tour with Tasman Venture or we do private charters on the bay for groups of 10+ with activities of youro choice.
There are lots of interesting land based activities with great cafes, jet skiing, fishing from the jetty and charter boats, cycle paths, heritage markets in Maryborough as well as Sunday markets in Hervey Bay. There is a wildlife refuge as well.
The beaches are safe for swimming, stand-up paddling, kayaking and sailing. I hope you find heaps to do. give us a call if you need any more advice.
Meera Iyer
Bengaluru, India3 contributions
Hi,
We are a family of four interested in Whale Watching during our trip to Aus Dec 17-29th. I read that the season for Whales is through end November. So we wanted to know if it is still possible to see them now.
Appreciate your input!
Meera
SMR1958
Hervey Bay, Australia46 contributions
Hi, Meera, There are no Whales this late in the year. You may find Dolphins and the best cruise to see dolphins is Blue Dolphin Cruises also on Trip advisor.
Our Whales are here from mid July to the end of October.
Cheers Keith The Skipper
Kiasululu
Singapore, Singapore35 contributions
Is late November to sight whales and dolphins in hervey bay?
SMR1958
Hervey Bay, Australia46 contributions
That's right I'm afraid. This year however we still have a lot of whales in the Bay and it is very close to the end of our season. Perhaps they might stay around till early November this year.
Hi We are planning to have whale watch in July 27 2017, is it possible to watch the whales? Thanks
SMR1958
Hervey Bay, Australia46 contributions
Yes, our whale watch season usually starts mid July. This year we had really good numbers of whales by the 27th July. Hope to welcome you onboard Freedom III.
Hello,
I was wondering when the best time to come to Hervey Bay to see the Whales, Dolphins and Turtles tour please? 😊
SMR1958
Hervey Bay, Australia46 contributions
Thanks for your question. Our whale watch season is between the 16th July till late October. August and September are peak times for the number of whales sighted. Early I in the season we see more sub adult and juvenile whales which are very active and curious so we can have more close encounters. Later in the season there are more mothers and calves which can be more elusive and quiet.
Dolphins are often spotted on the whale watch and sometimes we see turtles later in the season when it is mating time.
I hope this answers your question and that we can welcome you aboard Freedom III this whale season.