Whale Swim & Watch

From
$225
Provided by Hervey Bay Dive Centre
Marina Office, Hervey Bay
9:00am
Mid July - October

Hervey Bay Dive Centre operates the regions only dedicated whale swim experience when the humpbacks visit Hervey Bay between July and October. Our professional PADI Dive Team give 100% to ensure you get the experience of a lifetime.

This exclusive experience is an incredibly special opportunity to watch & swim with one of nature's most majestic mammals, the Humpback whale, a curious, gentle and trusting creature.

Guest numbers are strictly limited making for a personal and fun day on the water.

Each sighting is different and every whale swim unique and personal. People that have swam with whales often describe the experience as "life changing".

From mid July to the end of October our cruise maximises your opportunity to swim with the whales. The swim experience takes place via a 20m mermaid line connected to the stern of the vessel.

For the whales comfort we only snorkel with them as they're not keen on bubbles.

Swimming with the whales is conditions dependant and we only do so with the right whales and on their terms.

We provide all the equipment including a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and safety gear.

Even if we cannot swim for one reason or another our tour offers a unique and personal whale watch encounter in the best whale watching destination in the world, Hervey Bay!

We depart from the floating Dive Centre office located on the Boat Club Marina near the fuel wharf. Our vessels, M.V. Utopia and M.V. Arcadia, are crewed experienced local skippers and friendly dive crew.

Offering the small group unique experience you will encounter a most memorable tour and we look forward to hosting and welcoming you aboard.

Swim/Watch Season
Mid-July to late October is our swim and whale watch season.  During this time the tour will focus on maximizing your opportunity to engage in an immersive experience with the whales. From mid September to the end of the season more mothers and calves start arriving into the bay which makes for fantastic whale watching with a great swim when the opportunity presents itself. It is a requirement of our Marine Park Permit that we are not able to swim with calves. Challenging at times however we remain committed to seek out the opportunity to swim with suitable whales during this latter period. That said we still have the most awesome up close encounters with these great creatures. During the 2024 season we had 1200 customers engage and swim with a whale on our tours.

On the whales terms
We champion a strict Code of Practice when interacting with the whales. The key component to this agreement, and a core philosophy of ours, is “on the whales terms”. In short this means we only interact with whales that are happy for us to do so.

Guaranteed sightings
We guarantee whale sightings (seeing a whale from the vessel) between 20th July and 15th October. In the very unlikely event that the skipper cannot locate a whale during this period you will be offered a free return ticket.

We cannot guarantee the swimming with the whales tour as on occasions the weather, sea state and whales behavior will prohibit the opportunity. 

Children
Children under 8 years are not permitted to swim with the whales and a parental guardian must remain with them on the vessel. If 2 guardians are present they can interchange between the vessel and swimming when conditions permit. The tour is not suitable for children under 4 years.

Our vessel:  M.V. Arcadia

  • Type:  Power-cat (catamaran)
  • Capacity:  Arcadia @ 30 guests and 3 crew
  • Facilities:  Cabin, full-size toilet
  • Viewing:  Water-level viewing decks
  • Length:   12 metres 
  • Speed:  20 knots 
  • Wheelchair/Pram access:  No

Highlights Facilities
  • Low passenger numbers for more personal experience
  • Only dedicated swim operator - this tour will focus on getting you in the water with the whales
  • Departs from the best whale swim destination in the world
  • Crewed by highly qualified PADI dive crew

Departure Details

Departs:

9:00am

Location / Meet point:

Marina Office, Hervey Bay

Notes:

Departs from the Marina Office located on the Boat Club marina. Access via ramp next to fuel station where ample parking can be found.

Boat Club Marina, Urangan, Hervey Bay, QLD, 4655, Australia
Swimming with the whales cannot be guaranteed. Swimming with the whales will always be on the whales terms and at the digression of the ship’s master. Whale sightings are guaranteed between the 20th July and 15th October. In the unlikely event that the ship’s master is unable to locate a whale during this period, a complimentary return ticket will be offered. Weather: In the unlikely event that the tour has to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, sea state or the like; Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to cancel a tour on short notice. In this situation an alternate trip may be booked or a full refund offered. Each whale swim participant must be a competent swimmer. Children under the age of 8 years will not be permitted to swim with the whales. Children under the age of 8 years must be supervised by a parental guardian on the vessel. Children over 8 years of age must be competent swimmers and have written parental permission to participate in the whale swim immersive experience. Each whale swim participant must attend the briefing prior to the immersive experience. All whale swim participants are required to read, acknowledge and sign the swim with whales terms and conditions prior to the immersive experience; 1. All online bookings cancelled will incur a 20% administration fee. 2. If the vessel leaves without you at the advertised departure time, an alternative cruise of the same value will be offered. No refunds will be issued. 3. Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to substitute another vessel in the event of unavailability of the advertised vessel. 4. Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to cancel any trip without notice due to adverse weather conditions. 5. Swimming with the whales will always be on the whales terms and as such the immersive experience is at the digression of the ship’s master 6. If the cruise is cancelled by the Hervey Bay Dive Centre due to circumstances beyond our control, an alternative cruise of the same value or refund will be offered. 7. Whale sightings are guaranteed between the 20th July and 15th October. In the unlikely event that the ship’s master is unable to locate a whale during a Whale Watching swim/cruise between these dates, a complimentary return ticket will be offered. No refunds will be issued.​ 8. Each whale swim participant must be a competent swimmer 9. Children under the age of 8 years will not be permitted to swim with the whales 10. Children over 8 years of age must be competent swimmers and have written parental permission to participate in the whale swim immersive experience 11. Each whale swim participant must attend the briefing prior to the immersive experience 12. Hervey Bay Dive Centre stocks a full range of the latest life jackets, wetsuits, masks, snorkels and fins and are all included within the price 13. All whale swim safety and buoyancy equipment is included in the price 14. All whale swim participants are required to read, acknowledge and sign the swim with whales terms and conditions prior to the immersive experience. 15. Remember this is an on water experience and your safety is most important to us and as such sun protection is paramount, sunscreen, hats, sun shirts, sunglasses are highly recommended
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