Daily cruises May - October
Encounter astonishing Humpback Whales in their natural habitat as they migrate past the coastline between Ballina and Byron Bay. We depart from Ballina’s Richmond River and enter the pristine waters of Cape Byron Marine Park. Enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery while listening to live Humpback Whale song using our specialised underwater hydrophone. Our friendly Marine Biologist will share in-depth knowledge of the area & jaw-dropping encounters we experience within Byron’s Marine Park.
Each year, between May and November, Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales travel north from their Antarctic summer feeding grounds, past Cape Byron headland, and on to their breeding and birthing grounds in the sub-tropics. At more than 10,000kms round trip, this is considered one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom. Witnessing this stunning spectacle is easy from Australia’s most easterly point.
We are so sure you’ll spot a whale from June 1st that we offer a free trip if you don’t see one on your first whale watching adventure!
Cruise Times
(There is no better time of the day for whale watching, the time of your cruise falls to personal preference)
7:30am, 10:00am, 12:30pm, 3:00pm
7:31am, 10:01am, 12:31am, 3:01pm
Please arrive 20mins prior to your departure time for boarding.
Times are subject to change if ocean conditions require it. Please visit our vessels page for information on our vessels.
Please join our waitlist (Online) if your desired date is booked out. We will call anyone on this list first if seats become available for your group size.
The system will ask for your credit card details, but you will not get charged unless we call and confirm that seats are available for you to join us.
Attention Groups
Please book all in one order or add to your notes that you are with another group, so we can try our best to seat you together.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age is 5yrs for any cruise on the ocean. Not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users or anyone with a neck, back or spine injury or condition.
*Vessel Departs From Ballina*
(Please note: Byron Bay does not have a jetty or marina, our boarding locations are the closest for passengers located or visiting Byron Bay. Our Brunswick Heads departure is currently unavailable)
STEPS AFTER BOOKING
Receive your Confirmation Email & Pre-Arrival Waiver
Your confirmation email will have all the details you need for the day including what to wear and where to park, so please read carefully. We require you to complete a quick and easy Pre-Arrival Waiver before the day of your cruise. You will be unable to board the vessel if you have not completed the Pre-Arrival Waiver.
Please keep your phone close for any notifications prior to departure in regards to any time changes or cancellations due to ocean or weather conditions.
Incredible, informative, entertaining and spectacular whale watching. We joined out of the blue adventures because of the Marine Biologist and it lived up to every expectation and then some. Highly recommended for the loads of great insight �
Having previously done similar tours abroad, my expectations weren't high. However, this tour exceeded all of them. We had already seen a few whales and were about to turn back when suddenly the whales became incredibly active. We got to see them breaching � an unforgettable experience! A special thanks to Gabby. Her passion and knowledge about the whales were inspiring, and she provided us with so many fascinating insights. You could feel her love for these majestic creatures in every explanation.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land, the Arakwal people, the Minjungbal people and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation, and pay our respects to elders past and present.
