Perhaps the best reason to visit the Gold Coast in winter is to catch a glimpse of some other visiting tourists – of the sea-born, humpback variety. Keen to see the whales as they pass our golden coast in search of warmer waters? Here are our expert tips, and our favourite Gold Coast whale watching tours.
How to: spot whales from land
Spotting whales is a skill – one that takes practice, and patience. If you want to see your ‘whale tail tally’ skyrocket, consider these expert tips…
- Best vantage points: Burleigh Headland, Elephant Rock (Currumbin), Point Danger, Snapper Rocks and the Rainbow Bay SLSC balcony all offer elevated, unobstructed views over the water. The Spit, further north, is another solid option.
- Best time of day: Whales are active throughout the day, so there’s no need for a dawn mission – though calmer morning waters can make spotting a little easier.
- Best time in the season: Early season (June) brings playful young whales putting on a show; peak season (July–September) means the highest numbers passing through; late season (October) is when mums travel south with newborn calves.
- What to look for: Watch for the blow first – that telltale spray of mist is usually the giveaway before you spot a body. From there, keep an eye out for breaches, tail slaps and pods travelling together.
- Bring: Binoculars if you’ve got them, sunnies, and a bit of patience.
We highly recommend keeping track of your whale sightings in your phone, seeing how many whales you spot before the season is over. And if you’d rather get out on the water for a closer look – and an almost-guaranteed sighting – these Gold Coast whale watching cruises run from late May right through to early November.
