Whale watching Noosa Heads

With whale populations growing 10% each year and an estimated 33,000 whales this year, the opportunities for whale watching Noosa Heads and the Sunshine Coast have never been better.

Whales head north in June, July and August, to the warmer waters off the north Queensland coastline to breed and then travel south again to Antarctic waters from mid-August to November.

Little Cove Beach and Noosa National Park

 There have been some exceptional whale sightings this year, just off Little Cove Beach and the Noosa National Park – Headland Section. Keep an eye out during whale season as you might be lucky enough to see the whales just offshore.

Whale One tours

Operating out of Mooloolaba, Whale One (operated by Sunreef Mooloolaba) offers affordable tours, 100% guarantee for whale sightings and transfers directly from your Noosa accommodation* (prices start from $69 for an adult and additional cost for transfers – please check the website for conditions).

Swim with whales

Sunreef Mooloolaba also operates Swim with Whales – Australia’s first Swim with Humpback Whales experience.

This 4-hour tour (from $149) involves the opportunity to enter the water on a rope line within 100 metres of whales when they are sighted.

The whales may then choose to investigate and get up close and personal with swimmers.

“The opportunity to swim with a humpback whale is a rare and very special one – something that people who have experienced it have described as “life changing, says Dan Hart, Owner of Sun Reef Mooloolaba, operators of Whale One.

“It’s truly incredible to that one of the largest of mammals in our oceans is so graceful and gentle – they are just so trusting of human beings, she says.

See Whaleone website  for conditions and to book and please note swimming with the whales is up to the whales and not guaranteed.

Whale facts

Off the South-East Queensland in the early fifties and sixties around 40,000 whales were slaughtered for their blubber and meat which was turned into stock feed for Australian farmers. The numbers of whales in the area became severely depleted.

From an estimated 400 in the mid-sixties, Humpback Whales have since recovered strongly in the Southern Hemisphere migration cycle, increasing to more than 13,000 animals and continuing to grow by about 11% every year.

Nowadays, the Australian Whale Sanctuary provides protection for whales within Australian waters 200 nautical miles off the coastline.

There has never been a better time for visitors to Noosa to come and enjoy spending some time with these magnificent beings.

Noosa holiday accommodation

The Cove Noosa offers a selection of Noosa waterfront accommodation overlooking Noosa’s Little Cove Beach and close to the National Park Coastal Walk which are prime locations for whale sightings.

Contact us today on (07) 5447 411 and let us arrange your next luxury, Little Cove Noosa holiday accommodation experience at The Cove Noosa. Our experienced booking staff can book tours and activities, such as Whale One excursions and transportation, on your behalf to help you make the most of your Noosa holiday.

Photo credits: Sunreef Mooloolaba & Migration Media – Underwater Imaging