Whale Watching Tour

Set off on an unforgettable whale watching adventure, where the beauty of North Queensland’s coastline meets the excitement of encountering some of the ocean’s most majestic creatures. Lasting approximately 3 hours from Townsville or 2.5 hours from Magnetic Island, this seasonal experience is designed to give guests the opportunity to witness migrating humpback whales in their natural environment while enjoying a scenic and enjoyable cruise on the water.

Cruise through Cleveland Bay and surrounding offshore waters as our experienced crew search for whale activity in known migration areas. Along the way, guests will enjoy informative commentary about humpback whales, their migration patterns, behaviours, and the marine environment of the region. Each tour offers a unique experience, with opportunities to observe whales breaching, tail slapping, surface rolling and travelling through the bay.

This tour is focused on delivering a memorable whale watching experience while also offering a relaxed and enjoyable time on the water. Morning tea or afternoon tea is provided, making it the perfect way to sit back, take in the scenery, and enjoy one of North Queensland’s most spectacular seasonal wildlife experiences.

Whether you’re a wildlife lover, nature enthusiast or simply looking for a special experience on the water, this tour is the perfect chance to see humpback whales up close in the wild while enjoying the natural beauty of Townsville and Magnetic Island.

• Depart from Townsville or Magnetic Island
• Morning tea or afternoon tea provided
• Enjoy a 2.5 to 3-hour whale watching experience, depending on your departure location
• Look for migrating humpback whales in the waters around Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island
• Learn about whale behaviour, migration and the local marine environment from experienced crew
• Experience a scenic cruise through one of North Queensland’s most beautiful coastal regions
• Keep an eye out for other marine life including dolphins, turtles and seabirds
• Enjoy a flexible itinerary designed around the safest and best conditions on the day

• Approximately 3-hour guided whale watching tour
• Departure from Townsville or Magnetic Island
• Morning tea or afternoon tea
• Commentary from experienced crew
• Wildlife spotting opportunities
• Safety briefing and all essential safety equipment

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Strongly recommend to bring Light jacket or jumper depending on weather
• Comfortable footwear
• Camera / phone
• A sense of adventure

• Infants: Infants under 6 months cannot travel. Infants under 12 months are not recommended due to the nature of the vessel and varying sea conditions.
• Children: Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
• Fitness level: This tour is suitable for most guests, however passengers should be comfortable on a vessel operating in open water conditions.
• Medical conditions: Guests must advise staff prior to departure of any relevant medical conditions, injuries, mobility concerns, pregnancy, or other conditions that may affect their participation.
• Seasickness: If you are prone to seasickness, we strongly recommend taking suitable motion-sickness medication before departure, following the product directions or advice from your pharmacist or doctor.
• Daily operations: Poseidon Adventure operates tours in a range of weather conditions, subject to safety and operational requirements.
• Safety briefing: A thorough safety briefing and tour overview will be provided by qualified crew prior to departure.
• Wildlife viewing: This tour is centred around spotting whales in their natural environment. Whale sightings are common during the migration season, however as these are wild animals, sightings and behaviours cannot be guaranteed.
• Tour style: This is a dynamic, adventure-style whale watching boat tour. Conditions may range from calm and scenic to more lively, fast-paced and wet depending on the day’s weather and sea state.
• Morning / afternoon tea: Morning tea or afternoon tea is included, depending on the departure selected.
• Gift vouchers: Available for purchase.
• Itinerary changes: Management reserves the right to change the itinerary, departure points, route, timing or inclusions due to weather, tides, swell, whale activity, operational requirements or other varying conditions.
• Disclaimer: This tour operates in an open marine environment. Guests should be aware that conditions can change on the day and the ride may at times be bumpy, wet or more energetic depending on the weather and sea state. Wildlife encounters are not guaranteed.
• Language: Participants must understand English.

If you cancel

• Up to 48 hours before start: Cancel for a refund minus a 1.9% processing fee.
• Up to 24 hours before start: Reschedule or convert to a gift voucher (valid 12 months).
• Within 24 hours of start: Non-refundable and non-reschedulable.

If we cancel for weather

• Within 24 hours of your booking: We will first try to reschedule or provide a gift voucher.
• If neither works: A full refund will be provided.