Gold Coast: 3.5-Hour Guided Intimate Swimming with the Whales Experience
Join the enigmatic humpback whales on a swim as they grace Australia’s subtropical waters on migration from Antarctica on this eco-conscious intimate tour, departing from Chinderah. Enhance this bucket list experience with the renowned ‘soft in-water encounters’ approach where you can swim sustainably with the gentle giants, all while being guided by an expert skipper and assisted by a crew. Sip on some tea and coffee, and munch on some light snacks before heading out to the water for a memorable swim to witness the majestic creatures up close. Take this opportunity to also learn about the humpback whales and other marine life and make this a swim to remember!
Inclusions
- Valid for one adult (15+) or one private charter (1–8 passengers, must call directly to book)
- Unique swimming with the whales experience
- Qualified, experienced and professional skipper and crew
- Small group experience with maximum 10 swimmers in the water with guide
- In-water whale swimming interactions as close as 30 metres approach (pending conditions)
- Top-of-the-range swim and snorkel gear (masks, fins, snorkel) including super warm Patagonia Yulex wetsuits and reef safe sunscreen
- In-water support from the crew is available as well as floatation devices
- Snorkel training offered to improve your current skill level
- Informative and captivating commentary throughout the tour on humpback whales and other marine life and local Australian Aboriginal and European history
- Tea, coffee and light snacks pre-departure
- Available every day in season (May – October): Departs at 6.30am; returns at 10am (approximately)
- Departure/Return Point: Chinderah Bay Drive, NSW 2487
Pricing & availability
139-151 Chinderah Bay dr
Things to know
- Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance
- Guests are required to provide their name, contact number, weight and location at the time of booking
- Private Charter: Guests who wish to book a private charter must call 1300 162 326 directly to arrange booking
Things don’t always work out, so enjoy peace of mind knowing that the following cancellation options are available to you.
- From 1 day before your chosen date, onwards - Non-refundable
- Up to 7 days after purchase (and at least 1 day before your chosen date) - 100%
- Cancellations made more than 24 hours before departure date: no cancellation fees apply
- Cancellations within 24 hours of departure date, late arrivals and no-shows: 100% cancellation fee applies
Changes to Booking
24 hours’ notice is required to change a booking you have made
- Carry a beanie, warm jumper or jacket
- Spray jacket or raincoat
- Sunglasses and hat
- Camera, GoPro
- Towel
- Drinking water and additional light snacks
- Motion sickness tablets
Every day in season
Availability:
- Available every day in season (May – October): Departs at 6.30am; returns at 10am (approximately)
- Departure/Return Point: 139-151 Chinderah Bay Drive, NSW 2487. There is street parking available along Chinderah Bay Dr (please do not park in front of the Cubby Bakehouse)
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow time for tea, coffee, gear check, suiting up in your wetsuits, induction and safety briefing
Important:
- Exclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off is not included in this tour. Guests must make their own way to the departure point
- Participant Requirements:
- All guests are required to swim unassisted for 25 metres to participate in this tour
- All guests must have prior snorkelling experience
- Guests with back injuries or pregnant guests cannot participate in this tour
- Please allow up to 3.5 hours for this experience
- This tour travels into open waters, which may be choppy at times; taking motion sickness tablets is recommended
Terms & Conditions:
- Children aged under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Cruises are weather-dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled at the discretion of Cooly Eco Adventures for passenger and crew safety
- Minimum numbers apply for the experience to proceed. If an experience fails to satisfy minimum numbers, the trip may be cancelled or rescheduled
- Late arrivals and no-shows void offer
- In the unlikely event you do not see any whales from the boat on the swimming with whales tour, you may rebook your tour to a date within 12 months of your original tour date free of charge. Any bookings after this date will be treated as a new booking and standard payment terms apply
- Note: Cooly Eco Adventures will do everything possible to maximise your chance of swimming with whales but what you must understand is; we don’t swim with whales, the whales swim with us. While Cooly Eco Adventures guarantees whale sightings, they cannot guarantee your swim with them; the time they spend with guests, or the proximity they will come. Refunds do not apply if swimming with the whales is not possible on the day due to conditions or whale welfare needs
Please Note:
- Bookings for this offer are limited and subject to availability. Not valid with any other offer
- Entire value must be used in one visit; any unused portions will be forfeited, and cannot be used at a later date
Important:
- The destination you are travelling to may have health, insurance and vaccination requirements in place. Please ensure you stay up to date with any requirements prior to your visit
- We reserve the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions are located on the terms and conditions page of our website
Cooly Eco Adventures
Cooly Eco Adventures offers eco-friendly tours, showcasing the natural beauty of Australia’s Gold Coast. Specialising in whale watching, dolphin encounters, and marine wildlife tours, they emphasise sustainability and environmental education. Their knowledgeable guides provide enriching experiences, making them a top choice for nature enthusiasts and eco-conscious travelers.