What's new for 2026? We have made a decision to reduce the number of guests per trip for 2026! We are reducing the guests numbers from 24 guests in 2025 to 12 guests in 2026.
Yes, that is right... just 12 guests on the boat! We are making the tour more exclusive with a focus to provide an even greater guest experience with the swimming with a humpback.
Also, we will now be departing the marina at 7.30am each morning returning at around 12.30pm.
Hervey Bay Dive Centre operates the regions most exclusive and dedicated swim with the whale experience when the humpbacks whales visit Hervey Bay between July and September. Our professional Crew and PADI Dive Team give 100% to ensure you get the experience of a lifetime and an awesome adventure on the water.
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. Even if we cannot swim for one reason or another our tour offers a unique and personal whale watch encounter in the best humpback whale watching destination in the world, Hervey Bay!
We purposely operate the tour utilising a small vessel with limited (12) guest numbers making for a personal and fun day on the water.
Each sighting is different and every whale interaction unique and personal. People that have swam with whales often describe the experience as "life changing".
From mid July our tour 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 and weather permitting.
We provide all the equipment including a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and safety gear.
We depart from the floating Dive Centre office located on the Boat Club Marina near the fuel wharf at the end of Jetty Road. Our vessel, the M.V. Coral Gypsy, is crewed by an experienced local skipper and friendly certified PADI dive crew.
Offering the small group (max 12) unique experience you will encounter a most memorable tour and we look forward to hosting and welcoming you aboard.
Hervey Bay Whale Watch Season
Mid-July to 2nd week of September is our swim and whale watch season. During this time the tour will focus on maximising your opportunity to engage in an immersive experience with the whales. Note that from mid September to the end of the season more mothers and calves start arriving into the bay which makes for fantastic whale watching.
On the whales terms
We champion a 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. Whales have personalities and feelings and on occasions they just want to be left alone to do their our thing. This must be respected!
The Approach
Operators permits allow a whale watch vessel to approach a whale at 100m distance. Once the vessel has positioned it self it is up to the whales to show enough interest to want to wonder over and interact with the vessel and more importantly you the customer.
Guarantee
We cannot guarantee that you will be able to swim with a whale on every tour and also on occasions the weather, sea state and whales behaviour will prohibit the opportunity.
If by the remotest chance we do not see a whale we offer a return trip (subject to availability) to the ticket holder. These critters can be elusive!
Children
Children under 8 years are not permitted to swim with the whales and a parental guardian must remain with them at all times through out the tour. 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. Children under 8 years are not permitted to swim with the whales.
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking is strictly prohibited along with the consumption of alcohol whist on the tour!
Rates
Swim/Watch Rates
- From $230 per seat
Not suitable for children under 4 years old.
Inclusions
- Swim with whales (when conditions permit, July - September)
- Up-close 1/2 day whale encounter
- Guaranteed whale sightings
- Morning tea
- Snorkelling gear and wet suits are provided
- Tour Departs at 0730hrs (7.30am)
- Tour returns to port at around 1230hrs (12.30pm)
What to bring
- Your towel and swimmers
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
- Warm jacket
- Camera, GoPro etc
