This Gold Coast whale-watching cruise blew me away

You can’t visit the Gold Coast during whale migration season without taking a cruise to see the natural Sea World.

We’re bobbing around in small swells just off the coast of Sea World on the Gold Coast when the natural sea world comes to life.

It is whale-watching season here and we’ve been lucky enough to secure front-row seats to a jaw-dropping show – more amazing than anything you will see at a theme park.

The Gold Coast is prime real estate on what is referred to as the Humpback Highway. It’s one of the best places in Australia to spot a whale in the wild, during a lengthy season which spans from May to October.

Each year, up to 35,000 whales pass through the region during their journey from Antarctica to the warmer waters of Queensland, where they mate and birth their young before returning south.

A day before boarding the Kokomo Cruises whale watching tour, I spotted a large splash in the distance from a whale lookout point at Burleigh Heads. But that was no match for getting on the water and getting up close and personal with these majestic, curious and playful mammals of the sea. We’re on a custom-built, small-group boat for less than 20 minutes before we spot our first pod of whales.

Full-grown humpbacks measure around 15m – the same length as our boat – and there is a sense of excitement on board when we see the first ones. Just metres away humps are breaking through the ocean’s surface and spray is coming from the blowholes of three whales which are slowly swimming alongside us.

The Gold Coast is prime real estate on what is referred to as the Humpback Highway. Picture: Santiago Meli Lernoud/Kokomo Cruises.

They come closer to our stationary boat to check us out, even swimming right beneath us.

We soon see two other pods of whales nearby. Then more phones and cameras come out as a tail is slowly raised from the water. Whale tail. Tour complete, we thought. But no, today we were in for much more.

During the on-board commentary when Captain Nick told us plenty of tales about whales, we had been warned that it is not common to see breaches up close. That is whales leaping out of the water – like you see on all the promotional pamphlets. But before long, mouths are wide open as we spot our first breach. It is one of more than 20 we see over the next hour as multiple whales join the party.

Along with the leaps, there are tail and pectoral fin slaps to see as the sun begins to move behind the Gold Coast skyline in the background.

We had been warned that it is not common to see breaches up close, but before long, mouths are wide open as we spot our first one. Picture: Photobyskip/Kokomo Cruises.

As this stunning show begins to wind down, I turn to Captain Nick. “So, you don’t get this kind of activity every day?” I ask.

His response? “I wish we got this every day. No, this is special.”

If you don’t spot a whale during your two-and-a-half-hour tour, you’ll receive a free return ticket to try again.

But that guarantee rarely needs to be enacted, given humpback populations have bounced back so well since the species was almost wiped out by commercial whaling. There is no guarantee that you will see a breach on your tour like we did. But if you do, you won’t forget it.

Full-grown humpbacks measure around 15m – the same length as our boat. Picture: Supplied.

How often do Kokomo Cruises whale-watching cruises occur?

Kokomo Cruises offers daily tours during whale-watching season from $88 per adult, $77 child.

What should I bring with me on a whale-watching cruise?

The breeze can be cold on the water so bring some extra layers of clothing along with your phone or camera to snap pictures.

Will I get seasick on a whale-watching cruise?

While it’s a relatively short boat ride to see whales, the open ocean can get a little rough. If you’re prone to seasickness, take some medication beforehand.

Originally published as This Gold Coast whale-watching cruise blew me away