Swim With Humpback Whales Hervey Bay
GET IN THE WATER WITH HERVEY BAY’S HUMPBACK WHALES
There’s whale watching, and then there’s being in the water when a humpback whale decides to come and investigate you. Whale Swim Safaris offers small-group whale swimming experiences in Hervey Bay, Queensland, during the peak humpback whale season from mid-July to mid-September. Formerly Salty Safaris, we are Hervey Bay’s only dedicated whale swim operator, with a maximum of just 10 guests per boat.
Our approach is simple. We find the whales. We watch their behaviour. We wait for their interest. No chasing. No forcing an interaction. If the whales are curious, they come to us.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENCOUNTER
What Is It Like to Swim With a Humpback Whale?
For many people, swimming with a humpback whale is a genuinely life-changing experience.
There’s something incredibly powerful about being in the ocean and realising that this enormous wild animal knows you’re there, and is choosing to come closer and interact with you.
We haven’t trained it. We haven’t fed it. We haven’t chased it. The whale simply decided to come and have a look. It’s hard to describe what that moment feels like until you’ve experienced it. And every encounter is different.
Sometimes they stay. Sometimes they leave. And that’s okay.
They’re wild animals, and they get to make the decision. That’s exactly what makes the experience so incredible.
How Does Swimming With Whales Work?
We don’t simply find a whale and jump into the water.
Our crew spends time observing the whales and looking for behaviour that indicates they may be interested in interacting. When we find suitable whales and conditions allow an in-water encounter, we’ll explain exactly what to do.
The boat is positioned appropriately, and the engines are switched off. You’ll enter the water using our line system and remain connected to the boat rather than swimming freely towards the whales.
Then we wait. If they’re interested, they may change direction and approach us. If they’re not, we let them go. The whales make the next move.
We Don’t Chase Whales
This is one of the most important things to understand about our Whale Swim Safaris. Our goal isn’t simply to get people into the water.
Our goal is to create the opportunity for a natural interaction with a wild humpback whale. That means patience is a big part of whale swimming.
You may see us watching a whale from the boat rather than immediately putting swimmers into the water. We’re looking at its behaviour, direction of travel and whether it’s showing any interest in us.
Sometimes the best decision is not to swim. When an encounter does happen, we want it to happen because the whale chose to be there.
On their terms. Always.
Small Groups: Maximum 10 Guests
Whale swimming should feel like an adventure, not a production line. That’s why we take a maximum of 10 guests per boat. Our small-group approach means fewer people on the boat and fewer people sharing an encounter. We operate two boats, which work together on the water to help locate whales and identify potential interactions. You get the benefit of two experienced crews searching Hervey Bay while your own group remains small and personal.
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%
A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENCOUNTER
Can You Guarantee I’ll Swim With a Whale?
No, and you should be wary of anyone who tells you otherwise.
Humpback whales are wild animals and every day on the water is different. Whether we’re able to enter the water depends on several factors, including:
- Whale behaviour
- The types of whales we encounter
- Weather and sea conditions
- Other vessels in the area
- Whale swimming regulations
- The judgement of our skipper and crew
Some days the whales are incredibly curious. Other days they’re simply not interested. Your Whale Swim Safari is a whale watching experience with the opportunity for an in-water encounter. A swim is never guaranteed. Which is why we always recommend booking more than one tour and we offer multi trip discounts.
No refunds or partial refunds are provided if an in-water whale encounter does not occur.
When Is the Best Time to Swim With Whales in Hervey Bay?
The best time to visit really depends on what you want to experience.
The whales using Hervey Bay change throughout the season, and so does their behaviour. That means a Whale Swim Safari in July can feel very different from one in August or September.
JULY: CURIOUS AND PLAYFUL
July is when the sub-adult humpback whales begin arriving in Hervey Bay, and these younger whales can be some of the most curious and playful whales we encounter. They’re often interested in what’s happening around them and may approach the boat to investigate, exactly the kind of behaviour we’re looking for when considering an in-water encounter. For guests whose priority is the opportunity to swim with humpback whales, July can offer some fantastic encounters.
AUGUST: PEAK MUGGING SEASON
August is the heart of the Hervey Bay whale season and a brilliant time to experience the famous behaviour known as whale mugging. A mugging happens when curious humpbacks choose to approach a boat and hang around, sometimes for an extended period. Rather than us following the whales, we’re essentially stuck waiting for them to leave us.
They may lazily cruise around the boat, spy hop beside us, roll over, circle underneath or simply hang out nearby. For whale swimming, this kind of curious, relaxed behaviour can create some incredible opportunities for an in-water encounter.
SEPTEMBER: MOTHERS AND CALVES
As we move into September, increasing numbers of mothers and calves arrive in Hervey Bay. We do not swim with mothers and calves, so as the season progresses, the opportunities for in-water encounters can begin to decrease. But what September may lack in swimming opportunities, it can more than make up for above the water.
Calves can be incredibly playful and energetic as they practise the behaviours they’ll use throughout their lives. You may see breaches, tail slaps, pec slaps, rolls and plenty of activity around the boat, often while mum rests nearby. It’s an amazing time for small-group whale watching and photography, particularly if seeing playful calves is high on your wish list. This changing whale behaviour is also why we deliberately finish our dedicated Whale Swim Safari season in mid-September.
So, when should you come?
If swimming with a whale is your main priority, we’d recommend focusing on July and August.
If you love the idea of seeing mothers, playful calves and spectacular above-water behaviour, with a chance of getting in the water, September can be an incredible time to be in Hervey Bay.
Whichever part of the season you choose, remember that these are wild whales. Every day, every whale and every encounter is different, and we always recommend booking more than one tour.
What Equipment Do You Provide?
We’ll provide the equipment you need for your whale swim:
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Wetsuit
Equipment hire is included in your tour price.
You don’t need scuba equipment and you don’t need fins.
Our whale swims take place at the surface using our line system, so there’s no diving down or swimming after whales.
Do I Need to Be a Strong Swimmer?
You need to be a confident swimmer who is comfortable in open water.
This isn’t a learn-to-snorkel experience. You’ll need to be capable of entering the water, using a mask and snorkel and getting yourself back onto the boat without assistance.
Our tours are designed for active, capable guests and are 16+ only.
Whale Swim Safaris are not suitable during pregnancy or for guests with back, neck or mobility issues that may make travelling on a small boat or entering and exiting the water difficult.
If you’re unsure whether the experience is suitable for you, please contact us before booking.
NO GUARANTEES
What Happens If We Can’t Swim?
You’re still in Hervey Bay with humpback whales, and that’s a pretty incredible place to be.
Throughout the safari we’ll continue searching for whales and looking for appropriate opportunities to enter the water.
If the whales aren’t suitable for swimming, the experience becomes small-group whale watching from one of our boats.
You can still experience breaches, pec slaps, tail slaps, spy hops and incredibly close encounters around the boat.
But we want you to book with realistic expectations, and if getting in the water is important to you, we recommend booking more than one tour. Swimming is the opportunity. The whales are the experience.