CRUISE, GOLD COAST ACTIVITIES

Whale Watching vs. Whale Swimming – Which Is More Fun?

The Gold Coast of Australia is a majestic stretch of beautiful beaches offering great picturesque views and thrilling adventure experiences. If you’re planning a trip to the Gold Coast and want an unforgettable whale encounter, you’re in for a treat! We take you on memorable Whale Watching vs. Whale Swimming.

With Aqua Adventures, you can experience these magnificent creatures up close. We take you on memorable whale watching excursions as well as give you the chance to go swimming with whales. So, the real question is: do you want to watch them from a distance or dive right in and swim with these gentle giants?

In this blog, we help you decide your ideal whale adventure – whale watching or whale swimming.

Whale Watching

Whale watching adventures involve observing these awe-inspiring creatures from the safety and comfort of a specially designed boat. There is something truly magical about witnessing a humpback whale breach or slap its massive tail on the water’s surface.

Here are some advantages of opting for whale watching:

Safety First: The most significant advantage of whale watching is its safety. You can experience these magnificent ocean wildlife encounters without getting too close. The experienced guides and skippers ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on board.
Comfort: On our whale watching excursions, you can relax and enjoy the spectacle without worrying about getting wet or the physical exertion of swimming. You can capture incredible photos and videos from a stable platform.
Informative: Many whale watching tours are educational and provide valuable insights into these marine mammals’ behavior, migration patterns, and conservation efforts. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the incredible world beneath the surface.

However, there are some limitations to whale watching. You won’t enjoy the immersive experience of being in the water with the whales. Additionally, no matter how many whale watching tips you learn, they will not be helpful if the whales do not come as close to the boat as you had hoped.

Whale Swimming

On the other hand, swimming with whales offers a completely different level of excitement. Imagine swimming with marine life in the water just a few meters away from these gentle giants.

Here is what makes it so appealing:

Adrenaline Rush: The thrill of swimming alongside a humpback whale is unparalleled. It is the adventure of a lifetime that will get your heart racing and create memories you’ll cherish forever.
Unique Perspective: Swimming with whales allows you to see them from a perspective that few people experience. You will be in their environment, sharing the ocean with these incredible creatures.
Close Encounters: You will have the opportunity for remarkably close encounters, as the whales are often curious and approach swimmers. This can lead to truly breathtaking moments.

However, some factors should be considered before jumping into the water with whales. Safety is paramount, and it is essential to choose a reputable tour operator with experienced guides. There is also the possibility that the whales may not be as interactive or approachable as you had hoped, as their behaviour can be unpredictable.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

When deciding between whale watching adventures and whale swimming on the Gold Coast, consider the following factors:

Find Your Comfort Zone

Think about your comfort level and adventure preference. Are you more comfortable observing from a boat, or are you up for the thrill of swimming with these giants? If you want to just view and observe, whale watching might be the better choice.

Additionally, you have to factor in safety. You must only consider whale swimming if you can find tour operators certified in PADI Diving and whales tours.

Budget and Time Constraints

Swimming with whales can be more expensive than whale watching, so consider your budget—also, factor in the time required for each activity. Whale watching tours are usually shorter, making them a better option if you have limited time.

Conclusion

Both whale watching and whale swimming offer incredible opportunities to witness the beauty of humpback whales on the Gold Coast of Australia. The choice ultimately depends on your preferences, budget, and comfort level.

Whether you opt for safe whale watching adventures or the adrenaline rush of swimming with whales, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. To make some amazing memories, get in touch with us today.

ANDRES FELIPE LOZANO

07:42 14 Sep 24

Swimming with whales was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. From the very beginning, the crew took their time to ensure not only a safe experience but also an enriching one. They searched and searched until they found the perfect spot for us to have a close encounter with these majestic creatures.What impressed me the most was the patience and dedication of the guides. They explained everything we needed to know about the whales, their behavior, and their habitat in detail, which truly enhanced the whole experience and allowed us to appreciate them even more.It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and we’re deeply grateful for the team’s effort and dedication in making it possible. If you’re looking for a unique connection with nature, this is an experience you absolutely can’t miss.

Julie Neant

02:58 12 Sep 24

Too many whales on this trip, that was soooo exciting !!! We saw tails, fins and even beautiful white bellies and breaching ! We chose to swim with whales and that was stunning ! Hearing their sound under the water and seeing them swimming 2meters form us, I definitely won't forget this morning.Also, thank you Adam and Mike for letting us enjoy it even though it was time to go home. You're the best !!

Steve Robinson

11:44 10 Sep 24

Fantastic morning with Adam & Mike. Got to see 3 really young Humpbacked calves practising their breaching technique. I won't mention the music.....

Paula Baron

02:30 09 Sep 24

Amazing experience, Cristina and Adam the best guides. We swimming with whales and dolphins, amazing day, awesome team, weather and service

Paula Hatum

15:40 08 Sep 24

I had an unforgettable time whale watching with Aqua Adventures! Mike and Adam's enthusiasm and expertise made the experience truly exceptional. Choosing a smaller boat was the perfect decision, as it gave us the chance to witness whales and their calves up close—absolutely breathtaking! The weather was fantastic, and to top it off, we even spotted dolphins. I can't recommend Aqua Adventures enough for anyone seeking an extraordinary whale-watching tour. A big thank you to the crew for an incredible day!

Apurv Pimple

02:07 08 Sep 24

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience! It was my first time whale watching, and I loved every moment. Adam and Mike were really fun and made the trip even better.

doug yates

14:23 05 Sep 24

The Whale TaleGreat News coverage of your recent trip with guide.

이준서

02:34 04 Sep 24

This diving centre is the best in gold coast. I’ve been to many other diving centres but I believe they will be the best soon. I done the swim with whale adventure with Adam and Mike. They both were so kind and experts on this area. We faced whale so many times and finally able to swim with them 2 times(also with dolphins!!!). I will be back here again and have another chance for this great experience. Big appreciation for Adam and Mike!!!

박갱

02:31 04 Sep 24

Thanks to Adam and Mike, we really enjoy our tour. We saw many whales and also dolphins.I guess I’ll never forgot about this experience.Once again, thanks to Adam and Mike, we really have good time😍

Nany

03:08 29 Aug 24

Did not get to swim with any whales, at 300$ each person I would've expected the company to reschedule knowing the water visibility was near zero (so even if we would've gotten close there was no way to see them in the water). It states in the documents that we sign that if the weather isn't proper they'll reschedule but I guess they didn't want to lose our money. Our tour guide however was a lovely lady full of knowledge, which made us a little less sad.

Rapolas

08:12 21 Aug 24

We booked a whale watching tour and boy oh boy were we not dissapointed! The guides were very friendly and knowledgable of whales and marine life, they went out of their way to make sure we had an unforgetable experience even if it meant an extra hour of the tour. We saw heaps of whales and got within metres close, I wasn't aware that you are also able to jump into the water and swim with the magnificent creatures! There is a limit of I think 12 people on the boat, su you are getting a very intimate and personalized experience rather than being on a yacht with another 100 people. Definitely recommend these guys, their work is worth every penny and more!

Dee Boyd

05:35 20 Aug 24

We booked as a group of 3 friends, and we all had a whale of a time! (Excuse my pun)Despite one of us getting a small bought of seasickness due to the slightly choppy water, we still got to see many whales and also dolphins.The guys were very well informed, had great senses of humour and were also very kind, and took their time to make sure we saw as many whales as possible on our trip.On our boat we also had some people that booked to go swimming with the whales so that was an also experience.Was a very very good day…Happy smiling faces all round!Highly recommend 😎

Alli Quinlivan

12:52 19 Aug 24

WOW what a day 🐋Thank you Michael and Adam for an amazingday out on the water🐋Great guys and great knowledge, with great respect for these beautiful creatures 🐋Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time❤️Had the pleasure of seeing a young calf❤️Whales breaching, fin slapping and spy hopping.To top it off when I got in the water a whale swam under me❤️🐋A memory I will never forgetThank you once again ❤️🐋❤️

Manh Nguyen

04:42 19 Aug 24

i know it's nature and it comes down to luck but we saw over 20 whales and even more dolphins on our morning tour. crew were really nice and friendly. would go again :)

이시형

10:05 18 Aug 24

The best choice for this Gold Coast trip..💗I was worried because it was a small ship with 12 people, but my worry was for nothing.I passed by the Sea World cruise that I was originally planning to take, but there were so many people that it was hard to see it up close.This boat is a small group of 12 people, so we got to see it up close and the staff were very friendly.If you’re going whale watching, please ride this🥹🥹

Cara Thomas

08:23 09 Aug 24

What a trip - an experience that made my heart sing. From the start to finish, can’t fault this opportunity and think it should be on everyone’s MUST do list. LOVED the smaller boat experience, just a handful of us on board, great crew. I would go again tomorrow… from the fresh sea air, the views of the city, the whales, the sharing of info and personable staff - and totally rate the skipper, handled the ocean like a pro.

Sandra Sandra

02:17 05 Aug 24

A fantastique, unique and émotionnal experience with Adam the skipper and Monica and Michelle. They took us to see whales and swim with them... we saw whales and their baby, a turtle, jellifish, sea snake and the gem...we got to swim with dolphins who just wanting to have fun with us. Unforgettable. Friendly little business. Full safety. Good equipment. Adam extended the trip, thank you! He also proposed a half price discount if we want to Come back. Very grateful. We highly recommand. Sandra ̀dra and William

marcello tomaselli

10:18 02 Aug 24

Ana Castillo Paris

06:07 02 Aug 24

SOHAM AMBEKAR

01:21 02 Aug 24

Great experience! Had a fun time

robyn butler

06:56 01 Aug 24

Great Team. Fantastic introduction to Scuba diving. Very knowledgeable.Thank you so much!

Tyson Matheson

05:52 28 Jul 24

Great day with Adam and Mike. Saw so many up close whales and dolphins 🐬

Kim Featherstone

01:59 28 Jul 24

Had an amazing experience with Adam and Mike. We found two whales, but there were also 4 other boats trying to get there attention, so we went to a few other different spots and we were not disappointed. We had multiple breaching whales, a couple we followed for quite a while. It was an excellent experience that I can't wait to do again. Would definitely use these guys again, very knowledgeable and friendly.

Ashlee .Stevens

08:41 27 Jul 24

Best experience EVER!! We had a whale of a time. Excellent crew. Can not recommend them enough. If you sit in the front be wary you may get wet so have a change of clothes and a towel. It was worth it though.

Mimi Chi

03:01 25 Jul 24

Amazing experience!! So glad to go with a small boat and a great crew. Thank you Adam, Michelle and Fran!

Rohan Oldfield

05:15 24 Jul 24

A fantastic introductory session for those new to Scuba. We went in July, the water was crystal clear and it was teeming with aquatic life. Our instructors were friendly and helpful and the gear was easy to use. Would recommend

Cheesy

07:28 23 Jul 24

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING DAY! 🐋We did the “swimming with the whales” and had an awesome time. Captain Adam went “above and beyond” to get us to the right areas so that we could be in the water with these majestic creatures. I can’t say enough about the friendliness of the crew. Fran has more knowledge about the wales than an encyclopedia. 😊 We learned so much! I homeschool so this was a win win for my son’s education. She even let me use her face mask and snorkel because I was having a hard time with mine, making sure I was in the right position to see the whales underneath the water. AMAZING! Michelle was also soooooo helpful and kind. 🤗 I’m so happy we did this and not the big charters. This was a more intimate setting, only allowing 10 passengers per trip. It made it so much easier to be able to go to where the whales were. Thank you, Adam, Fran and Michelle! Can I rename you “the whale chasers”??? 😀 🐳 🐋🐋🐋Thanks for making it so special; a trip of a lifetime! Oh, btw…the boat ride was a blast, as well.

Cathy Webber

03:02 23 Jul 24

Fantastic experience of swimming/floating with whales. Team Adam, Fran and Michelle made sure we swam at least 5 times. 4 of those times fantastic views of the whales dipping under us.We recognize we were really lucky as you can go out and not go in the water. We saw boys breaching, mum and calf, excellent experience

Raz

02:17 23 Jul 24

Caroline Sun

07:48 20 Jul 24

Had such a good time with the Aqua Adventures team on their small boat whale watching tour !way much better than the bigger boat that’s for sure lol. Saw some amazing whale jumping and dolphins. The crews were very knowledgeable and friendly! Truly one of my parent’s best adventures while visiting Australia!

William Mwaura

03:05 20 Jul 24

Great experience, saw whales/dolphins/ turtles. Mike and Adam were wonderful and knowledgeable hosts.

amandine vaglio

21:56 15 Jul 24

Amazing experience ! Many thanks to Adam and Mike.We saw many whales and even 2 babies !

Ivanka Feher

04:47 15 Jul 24

The Team were so helpful and knowledgeable, unfortunately didn't get to swim with the whales as they had other ideas powering on towards the North Coast. But we did see some beautiful whales from the boat. Thank you all again Ivanka Feher

Melinda Charteris

02:01 10 Jul 24

A breathtaking morning swimming with humpback whales. Brought me to tears. An experience I'll never forget. Staff were super knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended.

Samantha Stevens

08:45 30 Jun 24

Great experience swimming with dolphins and whales... a great group and very experienced staff. Thanks Mike and Adam for a great tour. From Sammy the dolph9n whisperer

Pablo Colomina

10:20 27 Jun 24

The excursion has been simply incredible. With Mike, Mónica, and Adam, we've had a spectacular day. We've seen lots of whales, dolphins, and even a turtle. Moreover, we've been lucky to see whales 3 times underwater. It's been amazing, just a spectacular day. 100% recommended !!!!

Michael Park

05:51 24 Jun 24

Dave and the crew were really easy-going and made things really simple; we have a great time out to Wave island for a discover scuba session and snorkeling.

Camille Fauchon

02:08 24 Jun 24

An incredible experience with Mike and the whole team despite rough seas. THANKS!

Ari Scrinis

02:12 23 Jun 24

Amazing whale watch with Adam and Mike! 10/10 recomend !

Norbert Trewin

03:52 22 Jun 24

Fantastic organization!Great friendly people, not overcrowded, comfortable boat.Seen plenty of whales on the shortest day of the year.Highly recommendedThank you for a fantastic day out.

Alexis10

02:04 22 Jun 24

It was a real pleasure and amazing moment.The staff is really nice and we had good adventure with Mike and Adam, they were funny and give us many informations. They tried all the long to find whales and enjoy to get us to them, so we could see many whales and swim with some of them and one baby! Many thanks, memorable experience🤗 🙏

Elizabeth Ardle

00:36 22 Jun 24

100% recommend! The crew were fantastic. The whole experience was to die for! Can't thank the fellas enough for making my dreams come true!

23:20 21 Jun 24

An excellent experience! Terrific, small, swift, comfortable boat. Knowledgeable,helpful and friendly crew.(thanks Mike and Adam)They were also respectful and passionate about the whales and dolphins. It was a great morning for those of us who watched the whales and dolphins but even more special for those who swam with the whales.We will be back !Sorry, my photos don't show how fab the experience was.

Alyssa O'Leary

06:01 20 Jun 24

I had the most amazing day on the whale watching/swimming tour with Adam and Mike ! It was truely a once in a lifetime experience to get so close to the whales!

Jeanne Lamprecht

09:00 19 Jun 24

We had the best experience today with Adam and Mike from Aqua adventures! We went swimming with the whales and we saw them under us and in front of us! It was incredible. The whales were very inquisitive and came to us! Just drifting with the boat! It was absolutely amazing!

Colleen Marie

05:31 19 Jun 24

One of the best experiences I had around Australia! Mike and Adam were really nice and knowledgeable! I'm glad I chose a small boat for whale watching it is the best choice to do (especially with them)!The conditions were stunning! Whales and their calves came so close to the boat it was unbelievable and as a bonus we even saw dolphins!I obviously recommend 100% Aqua Adventures! Thanks again to the crew😁

苏安

01:50 19 Jun 24

The best day in Gold Coast！！！Small boat is really good for whale watching ！Michael and Adam are really friendly and experienced.You can’t miss this trip.

Hannah Isaac

11:29 12 Jun 24

Had a great time Snorkeling today. Lads were welcoming and the Dive ladies who were also on the boat with us were lovely - nice mix of activities and experience. Awesome experience for us all and a good way to round up our holiday 🏖 thanks guys

Andrew Weston

23:19 09 Jun 24

Amazing crew! They do everything they can to get you with the whales and are very educational. Phenomenal operation going on. 10/10 would recommend.

Anna Dias

09:52 09 Jun 24

Possibly the best day of my life. I’m so glad I trusted my gut while going ahead with booking aqua adventures. I think the boat is perfect, not too small where you’re scared of toppling over and not too big and overcrowded. I did a double decker in Sydney, but this experience was waaaaay better.Monica and her partner were so great, keeping usinformed and filling us in with fun facts about whales. It was just brilliant and if I have another day in the coast I will possible go back out with them:)Oh and these videos do no justice to what I experienced :D

ZiHan

03:16 28 Apr 24

It’s a great experience

Gavin Haigh

11:40 21 Apr 24

Fab morning out doing a first time scuba with my son. Instructor was great and very patient. Good value for money. Saw plenty fish and was diving for around half an hour. The boat trip was good too getting to the dive site.

Brayden Engelking

03:36 08 Mar 24

Did some wave break scuba diving and hadGreat instructors. Will definitely take another tour once I'm Padi certified.

Paul Kemppi

06:12 03 Mar 24

Perfect first dive for our daughter (13yrs). Professional dive masters.

Penny B

00:27 01 Feb 24

I booked with another firm originally but I changed to this one, paying a little more for them because each time I rang with a question (4 different times!), my call was answered by the owner of the business. My teenage kids did the scuba dive, both first timers. Both had a fabulous experience and saw plenty of marine-life including a small stingray! Highly recommended.

Michelle at Blue Mind Health

14:27 29 Jan 24

Yudong Lei

07:22 28 Jan 24

sophie waddington

02:10 18 Jan 24

Dave and his team were great! Would definitely recommend

Tezza Miles

07:07 16 Jan 24

Casey is very knowledgeable on fishing and equipment and a really good bloke. Awesome bait and tackle shop.

Warren Jooste

09:41 14 Jan 24

My son did his PADI open water course, Dave the Dive Instructor was really patient, he really ensured my boy understood and was aware of all requirements. Dave a massive thank you, LJ was full of compliments and praise for yourself and the team see you soon for some more diving.

Daniel Reid

07:14 14 Jan 24

Went and done my refresher open waters here. Great team in particular Dave and poppy. Would highly recommend. Good equipment and very informative. Great couple of days 👍👍

Tyson Wayland

04:06 17 Dec 23

Awesome experience staff are friendly and happy to have a chat

Wang Chongzhou

02:13 08 Nov 23

Lisa Mcquinn

00:36 21 Oct 23

We had an awesome time snorkeling, so many beautiful varieties of fish. Well worth it! The crew keeps everyone safe too. Thanks Aqua Adventures!

Megan Montgomery-Quin

07:29 13 Oct 23

Had an amazing diving experience with Aqua Adventures. Dave and the team were professional, organised and knowledgeable. Definitely would recommend to anyone wanting to dive while in the Gold Coast!

Winnie Lee

07:31 28 Sep 23

Had an absolutely unforgettable snorkelling adventure this morning! Was initially concerned about the water being too cold for our young kiddos, aged 4 and 8, but it turned out to be a complete non-issue. The water was surprisingly warm and calm, filled with vibrant fish that captivated us all.The wetsuits and other gear provided were invaluable—quite the relief given we're not regular water sports enthusiasts. But what truly made our experience stand out was our guide/instructor Dave. He made sure the instructions were crystal clear, while always keeping an eye on us. Special shoutout for how well he looked after the little ones, making us feel both safe and entertained.If you're looking to have a fun and safe snorkelling experience, I can't recommend this service highly enough! 🐟🌊👌🏼 #SnorkellingAdventure #FamilyFun #HighlyRecommended

Willem-Jan van Daalen

07:40 11 Sep 23

Fabulous whale watching experience, friendly team. Highly recommended!

Paula Alexander

07:42 06 Aug 23

We had a fabulous time on the whale watching trip. Everyone was so knowledgeable and helpful. We saw so many whales, up closer than I thought we ever would. We didn’t go swimming but everyone who did seemed to have a marvellous time.I would recommend this tour as the small groups make it so much more intimate and they really cared about the whole experience for everyone. We saw a number of the bigger cruise boats overloaded with passengers and I’d have to say I’m so glad we did this trip.

Giullia Deasy

10:46 29 Jul 23

It was the best experience we ever had!! I would 100% recommend! The staff was fantastic 👏. I've done whale watching before but it was nothing compared to what I experienced today with Aqua Adventures. It brought us to tears to see such amazing creatures so close! We were able to see plenty of whales and dolphins. 🐬🐋

Zen Smith

10:19 25 Apr 23

Really good today guys, thank you for taking care of Phil (aka Squirrel), a dedicated kite surfer and sailor. He is vision impaired and suffers from aspergers syndrome and is required to be permanently helmeted on water, he really enjoyed his discovery dive dive time here.His first time underwater at Manly Aquarium some 8 years ago.He will be back on the Gold Coast late July for round 2, after engineering a custom solution to fit his mask and helmet safely underwater.Thank You

Leeanne A

07:13 28 Mar 23

We hired kayaks and the process was quick and easy.We were provided with life jackets and given clear instructions.We kayaked along the opposite side from Sea World and were very delighted when we spotted a dolphin only 20mtrs away from us. It was affordable and very fun. Highly recommend.