In Australia, whale watching runs from June to October with the peak season in August, which is the height of the annual migration. We purchased tickets on the Sea World Cruises official website. Standard tickets cost AUD 89 per person while VIP tickets are AUD 149 per person. Multiple departure times are available at 9:00, 12:00, and 3:00, with the cruise lasting around 2 to 2.5 hours. VIP tickets allow early boarding, seating in the captain’s lounge, and include food.
We booked the 3:00 PM cruise. The weather and our luck were perfect. The waves were quite large so we recommend watching from the second deck for the best view.
We saw whales flipping on their backs many times and encountered a pod of dolphins along the way, which was incredibly lucky. The guide mentioned that where there are dolphins, whales are almost always nearby. We also saw whales spout rainbows and heard their calls.
Sea World cruises use a three-deck ship and the second deck offers the amazing whale-watching experience. Staff take photos before boarding and on the return trip you can buy them in the lounge on the second deck.
A group photo taken at boarding costs AUD 30 while AUD 50 includes the group photo and high-quality whale photos from the day.
If you get seasick, it is recommended to take motion sickness medicine before the cruise as the deep-sea waves can be strong. Pills are also available on board.
It is very windy at sea so dress warmly and tie up your hair before boarding as the wind can easily tangle it.
The boarding location is Sea World Cruises Terminal, Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217 and it is recommended to arrive 20 minutes early!