Hervey Bay Whale Watch: Platypus Bay with Underwater Hydrophone

Hear a male humpback whale sing underwater while you watch from the platform above.

This full-day whale watching tour from Hervey Bay takes you aboard the Blue Dolphin, a 38-foot eco-friendly catamaran, to Platypus Bay at K'gari (Fraser Island) during the winter humpback migration. You board at Great Sandy Straits Marina after hotel pickup, observe whales from an immersive platform, and listen to their calls through a hydrophone on deck. The tour holds 24 passengers maximum, includes morning and afternoon tea, a buffet lunch with beverages, and runs 8 hours with a professional guide who brings over 30 years of marine mammal experience. Minimum passenger numbers apply. The operator may cancel after confirmation if the group does not meet requirements, offering an alternative date or full refund.

The experience

You start the morning with hotel pickup and head to Great Sandy Straits Marina in Hervey Bay, where you board the Blue Dolphin. The catamaran is 38 feet long, built for comfort with shaded seating throughout and wide flat decks. It carries up to 24 passengers, which means the boat never feels crowded. Once underway, the skipper gives an informative talk about the humpback whales and other marine life you might encounter, drawing on more than 30 years working with these animals. The route heads out to Platypus Bay on the western side of K'gari (Fraser Island), where humpbacks pass through during the winter months.

The immersive platform is where the day becomes something you cannot replicate from shore. You descend into the water to watch the whales at their level, and a hydrophone on board lets you hear the male humpback whales singing underwater: a sound most people never experience. Reference material is available on deck if you want to learn more about the species, and your skipper is there to answer questions throughout. Morning tea and afternoon tea are served, along with a full buffet lunch and your choice of beverages, so you are not managing hunger or thirst between sightings.

The tour runs 8 hours total, and children are welcome from age 8 onwards: younger children can come in a pram or stroller if needed. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options are available if you let the operator know when you book. The tour may be cancelled if adverse weather makes it unsafe, or if passenger numbers fall below the minimum required. In either case, you get an alternative date or your money back.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• morning tea and afternoon tea.
• a buffet lunch with beverages.
• live commentary from the skipper.
• reference material on board.
• access to the hydrophone to hear whales underwater.
• national park fees.
• professional guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 8 Oct 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (8 to 16 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 24 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Blue Dolphin Marine Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to watch humpback whales from an underwater vantage point and hear them sing through a hydrophone: the 24-passenger limit and immersive platform are what make that encounter possible instead of a distant viewing from the deck.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 16 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly is the immersive platform and how does it work?

The immersive platform lets you descend into the water to observe humpback whales at their level while remaining safely on the platform. A hydrophone on the boat allows you to hear the whales singing underwater at the same time, creating an intimate encounter with the animals.

How long is the full-day tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 8 hours total. You are picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken to Great Sandy Straits Marina in Hervey Bay, where the Blue Dolphin departs for Platypus Bay.

What meals and drinks are included during the day?

Morning tea, afternoon tea, a buffet lunch and beverages are all included. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased separately on board.

What happens if the tour is cancelled?

The tour may be cancelled due to adverse weather or if passenger numbers do not meet the minimum required after confirmation. If cancellation occurs, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Who is the guide and what is their background?

Your guide is the skipper of the Blue Dolphin, a professional with more than 30 years of experience working with marine mammals. He gives an informative talk throughout the day and answers questions about the whales and the marine environment.