Swim With Whales Hervey Bay
Small Groups. Real Encounters. On the Whales’ Terms.
LET’S GET SALTY! HERVEY BAY’S ONLY DEDICATED WHALE SWIM EXPERIENCE
Welcome to Whale Swim Safaris, formerly Salty Safaris. Hervey Bay’s only dedicated whale swim operator, specialising exclusively in small-group, in-water humpback whale encounters during the peak whale swim season.
With a maximum of just 10 guests per boat, we do things differently. We’re not a large whale-watching boat that occasionally offers swimming. Our Whale Swim Safaris are built around giving a small number of adventurous guests the best opportunity to experience Hervey Bay’s humpback whales both above and below the water.
Small groups. One incredible experience. Come watch Hervey Bay’s humpback whales differently.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENCOUNTER
Hervey Bay Whale Swim Safaris
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel along Australia’s east coast as part of their annual migration. But Hervey Bay is different.
Rather than simply passing through, humpback whales stop in the sheltered waters between the Fraser Coast and K’gari, spending time resting, socialising and interacting.
And sometimes, they become just as curious about us as we are about them. Our Whale Swim Safaris are designed around these natural interactions. We watch the whales, read their behaviour and wait. When conditions are right and a whale shows an interest in us, we enter the water.
No chasing. No forcing an encounter. The whales choose to come to us.
SWIM WITH WHALES
More Than Whale Watching
Seeing a humpback whale from the boat is incredible. Seeing one underwater is something else entirely.
We don’t feed them. We don’t chase them. And we can’t ask them to swim over for a photo. Every encounter happens on their terms.
Swimming with a whale is never guaranteed, and whether we enter the water depends on whale behaviour, weather, sea conditions and whale swim regulations.
There are no refunds or partial refunds if an in-water encounter doesn’t occur. That’s wildlife, and it’s exactly what makes it so incredible when everything comes together.
We are the only dedicated whale swim operator in Hervey Bay
Max 10 guests
With only 10 guests per boat, everyone has the opportunity to enter the water together when conditions allow, no large groups waiting for their turn.
July-Sept
Our whale swim season is deliberately limited to the period when we operate the best in-water experiences.
On the Whales Terms
These are wild animals in their natural environment. No chasing, no harassing or forced interactions. Meaning when they choose to interact with us its even more special.
Why Hervey Bay?
Every year, humpback whales migrate along Australia’s east coast. Many enter the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay to rest, socialise and spend time with their young. Hervey Bay is recognised as one of Australia’s premier destinations for encountering humpback whales. They are here to rest, not migrate, which means they have time to play, with us!
The combination of migrating humpbacks, sheltered waters and the natural environment around K’gari makes Hervey Bay a remarkable place to experience whales in the wild.
2027 Whale Swim Pricing
Every trip is different. Booking multiple safaris gives you more opportunities to be in the water with humpback whales.
Use across the season. Packages are per person and non-transferable. Choose from AM or PM departures. Whale swims can never be guaranteed. Multiple trips give you more opportunities for an in-water encounter. Prices include equipment hire: mask, snorkel and wetsuit hire.
1 Safari
If you only have one day and want to experience our whale swim safaris
$300pp
2 Safari Package
Double the opportunity for an in-water encounter
$570pp
Save $30 5%
3 Safari Package
Our most popular option offers the best chances
$810pp
Save $90 10%
5 Safari Package
Enthusiasts, photographers, and ocean lovers.
$1,250pp
Save $250 16.7%
Is A Whale Swim Safari Right for You?
This is not a traditional sightseeing cruise. Our boats are small and the experience is active. Guests need to be comfortable on the water and physically capable of getting themselves in AND out of the boat.
To participate in the whale swim, you must be able to swim confidently without assistance.
Our tours are for guests 16 years and over and are not suitable for anyone with limited mobility or who may have difficulty entering or exiting the water.
If you’re looking for a large, comfortable sightseeing vessel, there are some other fantastic whale-watching operators in Hervey Bay we can recommend. If you’re looking for a small-group adventure and the possibility of meeting a humpback whale underwater, you’re in the right place.
- Ages 16+ only
- You must be a confident swimmer and comfortable in open water
- You must be physically capable of getting in and out of the boat and water without assistance
- Not suitable during pregnancy
- Not suitable for guests with back, neck or mobility issues
- A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required
- This is an active adventure tour on a small boat, not a traditional whale-watching cruise
WE LOVE WHALES!
Meet Whale Swim Safaris Crew
Whale Swim Safaris is a locally operated whale swim business based in Hervey Bay, Queensland. Owned and operated by Thomasin Lockwood and Bradley Kerslake, with years of experience working on the water and around whales. You may already know us as K’gari Salty Safaris / Salty Safaris, but now we are leading the way for Whale Swim Safaris.
Book early, we sell out.
Our 2026 whale swim season sold out by early August. With only 10 guests per safari, we recommend booking early, particularly if you’re visiting Hervey Bay on specific dates.