The Gold Coast whale watching season typically begins around late May to early June and runs through to early November. This timeframe aligns with the great humpback whale migration which is one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet.
Each year, tens of thousands of humpbacks travel north from the icy waters of Antarctica to the warmer breeding grounds along Queensland’s coast. The first whales tend to pass by the Gold Coast in early June during their northbound journey. These early sightings often feature adult males and pregnant females heading to give birth near the Great Barrier Reef. On this leg of the journey, whales move fast and sightings are more directional.
August is when the whales return south with their calves. The spring leg of the migration is slower and more surface-active. Mothers guide their newborns close to shore, and that’s when you’ll likely witness playful breaches, pectoral slaps, and tender moments between cow and calf.
