Australia’s First Swim with Humpback Whale Encounters

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Australia's First Swim with Humpback Whale Encounters

Adventure and Outdoors Tours
Cruises, Sailing and Water Tours
Nature and wildlife
8 min guests
15 max guests

Highlights

  • Experience the thrill of swimming with Humpback Whales from July to October in Mooloolaba's pristine waters.
  • Observe these magnificent mammals glide effortlessly around you, creating a breathtaking connection with nature.
  • Join expert guides who ensure a safe, respectful encounter while allowing whales to approach on their own terms.
  • Enjoy a unique adventure that leaves you with a true sense of wonder about marine life and its mysteries.

The opportunity to swim with a Humpback Whale is a rare and very special one, and Sunreef Mooloolaba was Australia’s first operator to offer the experience, launching in 2014.

It’s a very special breathtaking experience that will leave you with a true sense of wonder about these amazing mammals.

The experienced Sunreef crew will find and trail along at a safe distance from the whales to allow them to get used to the sound of the engines. Then, after assessing the whales’ behaviour, they will move ahead of the whales. If conditions are right, they will then put the boat into neutral and allow guests to slide into the water with a Sunreef guides. Then its up to the whales – its a natural experience and 100 per cent on the whales’ own terms. They seem as intrigued by people as people are of them and often swim over and around for a closer look, gliding gently and effortlessly around you. Operates from July to October each year. Please check with Sunreef for dates and more information.

Tour details

  • Adventure and Outdoors Tours
  • Cruises, Sailing and Water Tours
  • Nature and wildlife
  • Half Day or Less
  • Water – Motorised
  • Large Group Tour
  • On-site Experience
  • Private Tour
  • Small Group Tour
  • Moderate
  • Available from 1 June 2025 to 24 October 2028

Features

Service facilities

  • Carpark
  • Family Friendly
  • Non Smoking
  • Public Toilet

Sevice Activity

  • Boating
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming
Accessibility

This business does not currently offer accessible facilities.

Operation information

Sunreef Mooloolaba

The home of ocean adventure!

Scuba dive, snorkel with turtles, swim with whales, or go whale watching plus ocean jet skis, standup paddle boards, and kayak hire. Sunreef even has unforgettable experiences for everyone!

Sunreef is the only PADI 5 Star Dive Center on the Sunshine Coast and the largest marine tourism operator in South East Queensland. It’s easy to see why this dive center is so popular with experiences like diving on the Ex-HMAS Brisbane (Australia’s best military wreck dive) and beautiful local reefs as well as Scuba Diving Courses from Introductory through to Instructor Development.

During winter they offer incredible Whale Watching and even Swim with Whales Experiences that everyone can enjoy! Looking to their hire department Sunreef offers Ocean Jet Ski Experience, as well as kayaks, stand up paddle boards, boats and bikes.

They have a well-stocked retail outlet for all things scuba, snorkeling, free-dive and spearfishing and a full equipment service center for most brands. Sunreef’s experienced staff can assist you in and out of the water, safe and fast!

Activities

  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming

Tags

  • Adventure
  • Experience is charged
  • Family
  • History & Heritage
  • Nature & Wildlife

Accreditations

  • ECO Certified (Ecotourism) by Ecotourism Australia
  • Professional Association of Diving Instructors
  • Quality Tourism Accreditation
  • Sustainable Tourism Accreditation by ATIC

Memberships

  • Australian Tourism Export Council
  • Queensland Tourism Industry Council
  • Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
  • QLD – Visit Sunshine Coast

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