Whale Watching Byron Bay
Whale Watching Byron Bay
Whale Watching Byron Bay
4.5
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About
Come and join us and experience one of the worlds most incredible animal migrations. Whale Watching Byron Bay will take you right up to the humpback whales with the amazing Byron Bay landscape as a backdrop. Humpback whales, dolphins, turtles and a variety of amazing sea birds await you on a tour with Whale Watching Byron Bay, Byron Bay's original and most unique whale watching experience.
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
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Whale Watching Byron Bay
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4.5
125 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
11
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Billie-Rose22
Sydney, Australia34 contributions
June 2020 • Couples
We originally booked the whale watching tour for convenience as it is the only one that launches the boat from Byron Bay itself (rather than driving to Ballina or Brunswick Heads). On researching, we were delighted that the vessel is a RIB that allows great views wherever you sit, and found this to be the case on the tour.
Our guide spotted a whale breaching within the first 5 minutes which we watched from the regulated distance. We then saw two other groups of whales with lots of activity, and one pair were so intrigued by us that the swam under the boat repeatedly and came up within a couple of metres of us. An amazing experience!
On the way back we stopped at Julian Rocks, and learnt about the snorkelling and diving here - one of the top 5 dive spots in Australia. I’m a little nervous of the ocean but my partner was so insistent that we should try it the next morning and I’m so glad I did - and we received a $10 discount each as it was our second booking :)
We were not disappointed the next day either - snorkelling with turtles was the highlight but there were so many tropical fish, star fish, and we even saw an eel. Our snorkel guide was informative and pointed things out, while we also had the freedom to explore within the agreed area on our own. Felt very safe throughout both tours and would 100% recommend.
Our guide spotted a whale breaching within the first 5 minutes which we watched from the regulated distance. We then saw two other groups of whales with lots of activity, and one pair were so intrigued by us that the swam under the boat repeatedly and came up within a couple of metres of us. An amazing experience!
On the way back we stopped at Julian Rocks, and learnt about the snorkelling and diving here - one of the top 5 dive spots in Australia. I’m a little nervous of the ocean but my partner was so insistent that we should try it the next morning and I’m so glad I did - and we received a $10 discount each as it was our second booking :)
We were not disappointed the next day either - snorkelling with turtles was the highlight but there were so many tropical fish, star fish, and we even saw an eel. Our snorkel guide was informative and pointed things out, while we also had the freedom to explore within the agreed area on our own. Felt very safe throughout both tours and would 100% recommend.
Written 27 June 2020
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.
Amanda F
Trangie, Australia2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
My daughters and I had a brilliant morning with the crew from Whale Watching Byron Bay. The whales were all around us and we were lucky to have Naomi (the whale whisperer) singing them in and taking stunning photos of our adventure. Absolutely recommend paying the small extra amount to get the photos ! You can then sit back and enjoy the ride. Our favourite thing was that these tours leave from the beach at The Pass in Byron - you don’t have to travel out of town - and it’s a bit thrilling going through the waves to get out to the whale ‘playpen’. Our ‘captain’ of the boat was a Byron local having grown up right in the heart of Byron Bay, and a soft and gentle guy who obviously loves the whales and the region. Recommend without hesitation.
Written 16 August 2021
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.
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for your great review of our whale watching tour, it is wonderful that you spotted so many whales. We are very lucky to have such knowledgeable and passionate staff. We hope to see you again.
Thanks, BBWW
Written 30 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sunday Traveller
Lautoka, Fiji195 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Enjoyed a trip on the waters from Byron Bay and were lucky enough to see some whales migrating south.
Pretty well organised tour. You get a briefing and secure locker to keep your things at the base. Bus transfer to the beach to hop onboard the craft. Although the video says you’re issued with a “coat” that’s not the current situation with covid - so even though it’s hot & sunny onshore, make sure you take something to keep you warm. Only slight concern was we didn’t receive a “life vest” on our trip.
As with anything involving nature nothing is guaranteed but we got to see a couple of whales. Skipper gave a briefing of what to look for, we used that knowledge and found some whales and followed them. Returning back we stopped by a bay to see some dolphins frolicking so all in all a good trip
I think this trip was pretty well organised and value for money - would be happy to do again
Pretty well organised tour. You get a briefing and secure locker to keep your things at the base. Bus transfer to the beach to hop onboard the craft. Although the video says you’re issued with a “coat” that’s not the current situation with covid - so even though it’s hot & sunny onshore, make sure you take something to keep you warm. Only slight concern was we didn’t receive a “life vest” on our trip.
As with anything involving nature nothing is guaranteed but we got to see a couple of whales. Skipper gave a briefing of what to look for, we used that knowledge and found some whales and followed them. Returning back we stopped by a bay to see some dolphins frolicking so all in all a good trip
I think this trip was pretty well organised and value for money - would be happy to do again
Written 6 August 2020
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.
Lyra
Bristol, UK27 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We went into the shop to book. The woman at the front desk was very friendly and advised us to book a tour on a certain day as the predicted weather was better! Tour is $99 which I thought was very reasonable. On the morning of the tour they gave us a call to let us know it might be choppy and to buy seasickness tablets if needed, which was very thoughtful of them. Safety talk is thorough enough. Skipper and crew very friendly and informative, they tell you how to spot the whales etc. We saw lots of whales at very close proximity (one swam right under the boat and came up next to us!) and it was a very magical experience overall. Tour lasts a good amount of time (around 2.5-3 hours on the water) and gives you many opportunities to see the whales as well as other marine animals such as dolphins! You also get a good view of the coastline as well as the lighthouse and Julians rocks! A definite must do tour in Byron! :)
Written 14 August 2020
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.
nlaw1969
Lismore, Australia1 contribution
July 2021 • Family
Great guides who grew up in the area. Friendly staff. Great value, we were all made to feel welcome and really appreciated as we wanted the kids to feel special being in out of home care. They said best day of their lives and we thank you.
Written 23 July 2021
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.
Hi,
Thank you for your review of our whale watching tour, it is wonderful to hear that you all enjoyed the trip and that the children had the best day, it is a wonderful experience to see the whales is their natural habitat.
Thanks, BBWW.
Written 27 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Margot S
Yass79 contributions
July 2021
We thoroughly enjoyed our time aboard the red zodiac with our very informative captain. We saw numerous whales breaching and were able to learn so much and appreciate these wonderful creatures. It was a definite highlight of our stay in Byron and would recommend it to anyone who'd like to see these beautiful mammals closer than from the land.
Written 23 July 2021
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.
Hi Margot,
Thank you for your review of our whale watching tour, great to hear that you enjoyed your tour with us and that you got to see breaching, the whales are just fantastic to sight.
We hope to see you again.
Thanks, BBWW.
Written 27 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Touringaussies14
Santa Barbara, CA3 contributions
Aug 2020
We had a delightful morning on the water, following six or more whales. We'd recommend this company for its location, as we could leave from the centre of town and the boat left from the main beach. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable.
Written 6 September 2020
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.
Hi,
Thank you for your review, we are very lucky in our location, which allows us more time to see whales! We hope to see you again next season.
Thanks, BBWW Management
Written 2 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
niallcj
Mona Vale, Australia1 contribution
Oct 2020 • Family
Nice folk, amazing weather and a good trip with some sightings. Frustrating to be bobbing about for fairly long periods of time, scanning ocean surface for signs of life. Suggest it's time to harness some tech with a drone sending a camera feed to boat to help locate whales, and for guests to look at. Also an underwater camera providing a live feed, so even if there's nothing on the surface, the guests can still see what's going on. Overall an enjoyable but expensive outing with a 'nearly but not quite' overall feeling. Having said all of that, whales are the BEST ;-))
Written 7 October 2020
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.
Hi,
Thank you for your review of our whale watching tour, we will defiantly take all your comments on board for the future. We do hope to see you again.
Thank you, BBWW Management
Written 2 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
shereeb209
Byron Bay, Australia2 contributions
June 2020
We had a fantastic experience on our whale watching tour. Friendly , experienced staff that were well organized & led a fun & exciting trip for us. We were certainly spoilt for choice as there were so many whales about, we didn't know where to look. Would happily recommend these guys to our friends & family who visit Byron!
Written 1 July 2020
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.
Always Travelling
Sydney, Australia30 contributions
June 2021
Business was unorganised and tour ran late. Vessel is second rate and very basic. Tour relied on guests to spot whales and no other means i.e. drones or sonar were not used. Would not waste your money
Written 28 June 2021
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.
Hi,
Thank you for your review of our whale watching tour, we are sorry to hear that you had a negative experience and our apologies that the tour ran late. Unfortunately drones are not permitted within the Cape Byron Marine Park and we are therefore unable to use these as part of our tours. In regards to our vessels, although they may seem basic they suit our tours which are designed and marketed as a safari style whale watching tour, the bonus of this is that we have 360 degree views on the vessel of the whales and are able to launch our vessels from The Pass allowing us the quickest access to the whale migration.
We again apologise that you had a negative experience and hope that you will come back again in the future.
Thanks, BBWW
Written 30 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Is March a good time to go whale watching at Byron bay?
Written 27 December 2018
No it would be better if you went during late June through August that’s when whales migrate up and down the coast .
Written 3 November 2019
Hi my mum gets quite sea sick so I am wondering if the boat gets really rocky or if it will be okay for her. Thanks :)
Written 12 September 2016
Not good for people inclined to get sea sick.
The trip lasts 3 hours!!🤢
Written 7 October 2017
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