Whale Watching Gold Coast: Close-Up Encounters Via Safari-Style Vessel

Experience close-up encounters with whales on the Gold Coast through a unique safari-style vessel. Our experienced crew will provide a personal and professional whale watching experience.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Coolangatta - Join us for an intimate safari style whale-watching experience on our open-ocean adventure vessel. Observe these beautiful creatures at eye level with a maximum of 12 guests, while you also soak in this rich and diverse stretch of coastline.
    From departure to return you will enjoy stunning coastal scenery along with informative and…
What's Included
  • Spray Jackets provided
  • Unique Commentary by a marine Naturalist
Additional Information

You’ll be part of a particularly close and intimate experiences in the area, thanks to the face-to-face perspective provided by the safari-like boat.
This whale watching session stands out, and our extremely skilled captain and team are there constant to ensure this experience is bespoke and proficient. They possess abundant expertise and enthusiasm for…

Location
139-151 Chinderah Bay Dr
Chinderah Bay Drive
Meet at the white trailer with CEA signage.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(66 Ratings)
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L69ykkatherinep
Oct 26, 2025
Excellent trip - Excellent trip - couldn’t recommend Gemma and Corey enough! So knowledgeable and friendly- thank you both for a great morning!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N4681rjkathy
Oct 7, 2025
Perfect day on the water. Great experience and lots of sightings. - Amazing day on the water with Cooley Eco Adventures. We got to see quite a few humpback whales, mainly mothers with a calf. Such amazing creatures to watch. In the area there were loads of False Killer Whales which are apparently quite a rarity in the area. There were so many different groups around us which kept us thoroughly entertained. The small boat meant we all got a good view of the action and Lachie our skipper was a wealth of information. He clearly loves his job! A fantastic experience .. thanks Lachie and Cass.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mattheus_x_maximus
Sep 15, 2025
Best whale watching tour on the Gold Coast! - Absolutely amazing experience! The small boat is incredible! Corey and Cassie were great tour leaders and knew so much about the whales! We must’ve seen 10 different whales pretty consistently the whole time we were out!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Probertson85
Aug 30, 2025
Best tour to see whales! - We got to see whales one of them breached. We saw 3 up close and we saw a baby whale and its mamma not to mention extra bonus of dolphins sighted too. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Great experience
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Rickyby1022wz
Aug 30, 2025
Big sea beasties - Second time out with Cooly Eco and was a great experience. Saw plenty of whales, even a mother and calf. Great and informative n interactive trip. Be back when my family come over next year. Get on it , it's fast, fun and fascinating.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leaf837
Aug 17, 2025
Whales galore! - We had the most spectacular day out on the ocean with Cooly Eco Adventures, stunning weather, Whales galore, great hosts and a comfortable boat made for a spectacular day. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting some up close and personal whale encounters!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sallymw8356ps
Aug 16, 2025
Unforgettable Whale Watching Experience! - Unforgettable Whale Watching Experience! This small, locally run tour was one of the highlights of my trip. I loved how personal and relaxed the whole vibe was- no crowds, no rush, just genuine excitement and awe. We were only minutes off the coast near the Cooly Bar when we spotted our first whale. Within moments, we were watching these incredible creatures— surfacing and gliding through the water. It was amazing to be so close and hear all their noises. Everyone was friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about marine life, sharing fun facts about the whales and the local area throughout the tour. It felt safe, easy, and truly special. I loved that it’s a small, local business — you can really feel the heart behind what they do. If you're after a unique, up-close whale experience without the big crowds, this is the tour to book!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janet
Aug 11, 2025
Unforgettable experience - This is something no one should miss! What a no experience to be able to see whales up close in the wild! Even though we didn’t see as many as we would have liked due to the weather and the nature of the animals it if something we will never forget. The tour is extremely well organised and safe. Wayne our captain kept us informed for the whole duration of the tour with information about the whales and their habitat as well as looking after us and making the journey as comfortable as possible. The term that was used was ‘moderate seas’ so we were prepared for it to be a little bit bumpy. Worth it to see and hear these amazing creatures!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robync395
Jul 12, 2025
Incredible experience. - We went out at 6.30 this morning and were totally blessed to spend quality time with a small pod of humpback whales. Lachlan and Bonnie were terrific very professional and helpful. Lachlan’s insights were terrific, we all learnt so much. Totally recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience the whales 🐳 as they migrate.
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Fearless13687410737
Oct 26, 2025
Very Disappointed – No Understanding or Flexibility Shown - I was genuinely excited about this whale watching trip during my visit from the UK, as it was meant to be one of the highlights of my holiday. Unfortunately, due to a genuine misunderstanding with the address and booking details, I wasn’t able to attend. As someone visiting from overseas, it can be easy to make small mistakes when navigating unfamiliar areas, but I reached out to the company straight away to explain and ask if there was anything they could do. Sadly, the response I received was extremely disappointing. There was no flexibility, no goodwill gesture, and no refund or credit offered — even though I never went on the trip. I completely understand that companies have policies, but I had hoped that some understanding and empathy would be shown, especially given the circumstances. It’s such a shame, as I had heard great things about this experience and was really looking forward to it. Instead, I was left feeling frustrated and let down by how the situation was handled. For a business that depends so heavily on tourism and customer experience, I would have expected a much more considerate approach. Unfortunately, I won’t be recommending or booking with this company again, and I hope they take this feedback seriously for future travellers. A little understanding can make a big difference
Review provided by Tripadvisor