Cheapest Whale watching trips, by price (updated daily)
10 trips from $78, live prices, sorted cheapest first.
- Prices checked every day
- 1 below RRP and every other site we checked
- Up to 5 on Google
- Price Match Promise
2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour
2 Hours · 4.5
from$78
High-Speed Whale Watching from Circular Quay
2 Hours · 4.9 Save $10
from$139
Hervey Bay Full-Day Exclusive Whale Watching by Sailing Boat
8 Hours · 5
from$209
Short answer: The cheapest whale watching trip today (28 October 2026) is 2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour at $78 per person. All 10 run from $78 to $739. The middle half cost $139 to $209. 1 is below the RRP and every other booking site we checked today.
Updated from our live booking system. Per person, AUD.
Every whale watching trip we sell, by price
Whale watching cruises and safaris from Sydney, Byron Bay, K'gari and Perth, and Kaikoura and Auckland in New Zealand, sorted by today's from-price. Australian humpback season runs roughly June to November. "Costs extra" quotes each listing's own exclusions; travel insurance is never included.
-
2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour
4.5 from 616 Google reviews
- Humpback migration season cruise
- Marine scientists narrating live
No extra costs listed
From, per person $78Book now (pick a date) -
Hervey Bay Whale Watching on Ocean Defender, Small Group Cruise
4.8 from 941 TripAdvisor reviews
- Scientist-led commentary
- Live whale songs on hydrophones
Costs extra: Transport to the marina
From, per person $119Book now (pick a date) -
Byron Bay Whale Watching Safari
5 from 440 Google reviews
- Whale season: June to October only
- Max 12 passengers
Costs extra: Transportation to/from the Brunswick Heads departure point
From, per person $139Book now (pick a date) -
High-Speed Whale Watching from Circular Quay
4.9 from 517 Google reviews
- Military-spec high-speed RIB
- Departs Circular Quay
No extra costs listed
From, per person $139 RRP $149Book now (pick a date) -
Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise with Meals Included
4.9 from 1,212 TripAdvisor reviews
- Humpback whales in Hervey Bay's calm waters
- Meals included on both cruises
No extra costs listed
From, per person $159Book now (pick a date) -
Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari, Hauraki Gulf
Departs Auckland
- Bryde's whales and common dolphins on a typical trip
- Marine scientists host and run research on board
Costs extra: Transfers and parking
From, per person $179Book now (pick a date) -
Hervey Bay Full-Day Exclusive Whale Watching by Sailing Boat
5 from 1,687 TripAdvisor reviews
- Full day under sail with low passenger numbers
- In-water whale experience platform
Costs extra: Transport to the marina
From, per person $209Book now (pick a date) -
Whale Watching Flight over Kaikoura
Departs Kaikoura
- 30 minute flight, allow one hour in total
- Window seat and headset for every passenger
No extra costs listed
From, per person $209Book now (pick a date) -
Kaikoura Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch
Departs Christchurch
- Whale watching tour, about 2 hours on the water
- Wildlife sightings including seals and dolphins
No extra costs listed
From, per person $319Book now (pick a date) -
Whale Shark Safari, Coral Bay Ningaloo, 9 Hours
Departs Coral Bay
- Swim with a whale shark, the world's biggest fish
- Spotter plane locates the sharks
No extra costs listed
From, per person $739Book now (pick a date)
Reviews from real travellers
Public reviews of the operators who run these tours, shown as excerpts with the source on each.
"If you get the chance go on this excursion. Great guide. good value for money and above all a chance to see these beautiful creatures. We saw Mothers and calves and also juveniles. Don't miss it !"
"What an amazing experience, the whales really put on a show … We had superb conditions; whales everywhere! Majestic scenery and a whole boat of great people. Plus, the money for the tour benefits nature and the whales."
"An amazing 3 hours, we were very fortunate to see whales, dolphins and turtles. The whales breaching in particular were incredible. A number of these only 30 metres from the boat, one whale in particular over an hour must have breached some 40 times, quite amazing something never to forget…"
"We had only just got out of the heads when we got our first whale - thought it was alone but there was two. We stuck with this pair the whole trip and we got lots of surface time but no breaches… We did get tail slaps and a few fin displays plus dolphins."
"A really special experience! We hoped to see a whale but were kindly surprised to see 20+ whales. … I would definitely recommend to any ocean lovers. The cruise back with the sun setting was pretty spectacular too."
"Incredible experience! The crew is knowledgeable, kind, and friendly, and the experience is amazing. We got to see dolphins, orcas, whales, and learn all about the surrounding area."
Below the RRP and every other booking site
Each tour here is below its RRP and below every other Australian booking site we check for it. We re-check every day; a tour drops off this list the moment anyone sells it for less.
| Tour | RRP | Our price | You save | Checked | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRP · $149 | Our price · $139 | You save · $10 | Checked · Operator + 2 other booking sites, 28 Oct | Book now |
RRP = the recommended retail price per person for the same trip; savings are measured from it. Found it cheaper somewhere? Price Match Promise.
Can't pick? Tell me your dates.
Send your dates, budget and where you're starting from. I'll come back with the trip that fits, at the lowest price we can find.
What's included, and what costs extra
Grouped from each listing's own inclusions. Travel insurance is never included.
-
1 / 10
includes pickup or transfers
-
2 / 10
include gear and equipment
-
5 / 10
include some meals or snacks
-
1 / 10
includes accommodation
Which ones
4 of 10 listings name a cost that isn't in the price; each card shows it under "Costs extra".
Choosing by more than price: Whale watching season guide.
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Whale watching trips prices: your questions
What is the cheapest whale watching trip?
2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour at $78 per person is the lowest-priced whale watching trip on this page today.
What costs extra on the day?
4 of 10 listings name a cost not in the price, such as transport to the marina; transportation to/from the brunswick heads departure point; transfers and parking. The table shows each one; the tour page has the full list.
Is it cheaper to book Whale watching trips direct with the operator?
Not for the 1 tour in our lowest-price table: each is below its RRP and every other booking site we checked (biggest saving off RRP: High-Speed Whale Watching from Circular Quay, $10 less). For the rest, our Price Match Promise applies if you find the identical trip cheaper.
What's included in the price of Whale watching trips?
It depends on the trip. Of the 10 we sell: 1 includes pickup or transfers; 2 include gear and equipment; 5 include some meals or snacks; 1 includes accommodation. Each tour page lists exactly what's included and what isn't.
How do I get the cheapest price on Whale watching trips?
Each "from" price above is the trip's lowest-priced date and room, so pick a date that shows that price on the tour page. The 1 tour marked "Lowest price we've found" is below the RRP and every other booking site we checked today. Found the identical trip cheaper on another Australian booking site? Send us the link and we'll do our best to beat it (our Price Match Promise).
Are prices per person?
Yes, per person in AUD, the lowest price for each trip. Rooms, cabins and dates that cost more are priced on each tour page.