Hey Beach!

Lol! Everyones out whale watching - no time for forums haha!

Now is about the best time for whales... the mums, calves and males are all in the Bay together.. males chasing females.. females protecting calves etc = lots of breaching and action..

The males generally leave the Bay about a month earlier than the females and calves, and by about the end 1st week of October there will only be females and calves left in the Bay... still lots to see, but possibly less action ..

School hols start next week ... so advisable to book whale watch trip in advance if coming up on a weekend...

If the weather is good, and you are a water person, the full day trips on one of the sailing cats is the best up close action with smallest groups (max 22) ..

Shayla and Blue Dolphin are the 2 full day trips... both excellent and v experienced operators..

Otherwise there are are lots of half day trips to choose from.. the most experienced operators are Whale Song (bonus of having a full lunch or breakfast included) .. and Spirit of Hervey Bay (biggest boat - brand new last year).. prices for all trips range $100 - $120 ..

There are also "Adventure Tickets" available that combine a half day whale watch with a full day Fraser Tour .. these start at $254pp..

Rob

Hi mate

Now is a great time to see the whales, just like it was last weekend from Duranbah.

It has been awhile since we have been to HB though friends tell me Mantra is very well located with good views.

Hi

Went whale watching just 2 days ago in Hervey bay: was awsome! Lots of whales around, jumping everywhere. Go for it.

We went on Quick Cat II. To be honest: wouldn;t recommend it. I chose it cause it was the longest of the half-day tours. You get picked up at 6.30 and leave the marina at 7. Unfortunately then you pick up more people from Fraser Island which takes app 45 mins, then 45 mins to the whales. Out of a 5 1/2 hr trip we did 2 hrs of whale watching! Also food was rationed.

The rest was transport from and to fraser island and Hervey Bay! Crew was not very friendly. When I said to one of the crew members that i was not amused that i had to get up that early just to pick up others when i specifically booked this for the length (of whale watching) and was not told about the transport when booking he said: "what's the problem. Just live." How to make people angry.

So next time i will go on a shorter tour (thought tasman venture seemed pretty good)or on a sailing tour. By the way'that's awsome' also goes to fraser island first for a pick up = same company.

Good luck on choosing a boat, but definately go whale watching!.

Some great information - thanks everyone.

I'm thinking that it will definately have to be after the school holidays.

Does the season finish in November?

***

Personally I thought Nov would be a bit late.... but could be wrong.

Hey Beach,

Usually by the last weekend in October the remaining few whales are way up the top of the Bay...

Most of the boats have a finish date of Nov 1 this year.. but WhaleSong usually keeps going until there are no more to be found... some years this can be a week into Nov or more...

Trick is though to be here whilst the males are still in the Bay .. as the males cause a lot of action and excitement chasing the females .. the males usually leave about 4 weeks before the females and calves... (like all good new fathers - they leave mum and baby in the hospital and head home to watch the footy with their mates lol!!)

Unfortunately school hols overlap some of the best action times... if you can only come up on weekends, then book with one of the smaller boats (eg Shayla or Blue Dolphin for a full day trip) - max 22 people .. so you don't risk being crowded out by family groups...

Went whale watching on Sep 29 this year out of Hervey Bay. One of the most boring afternoons of my life. No jumping whales, just some floating or very rarely coming up for air. Most of the kids on the boat found chasing each other around more exciting that the whales. If you are just wanting to see a whale then go for it. Don't forget your sunblock and a sweater or jacket in case it gets cold/windy when out on the water. Many people with chattering teeth and huddling in the covered area late in the afternoon trying to keep warm. Sea sick tablets if it is rough/choppy might also not go astray.

Overall, I found it very over rated and overpriced. In regard to the food, by the time I had got some to my partner and returned for me there was none left. (I was not allowed to take more than enough for one the first time)

Saw much better and more exciting whale action from the beach in Kauai without paying a cent.

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