Experience Whale Season 2026 on the Gold Coast with Kokomo Cruises.

Each year, the east coast of Australia becomes the stage for one of the world’s most remarkable marine migrations.

From late May through November 2026, thousands of humpback whales will travel along the Gold Coast as they migrate between Antarctic feeding grounds and northern breeding waters.

The Gold Coast sits directly along this migration corridor, often referred to as the Whale Highway, making it one of the most reliable whale watching regions in Australia.

Why the Gold Coast Is One of the Best Places for Whale Watching

Exploring the Gold Coast Broadwater by private charter is more than just getting on a boat. It’s about creating a special moment, slowing down, and enjoying the surroundings with the people you choose to share it with.

The Gold Coast offers a rare advantage: whales pass extremely close to shore.

During Whale Season 2026, sightings frequently occur:

• Just offshore from Main Beach and Surfers Paradise
• Around coastal headlands such as Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta
• Within short cruising distance from Marina Mirage

Because the migration route runs close to land, whale watching here offers high sighting probability without long travel times offshore.

Stretching from Southport to Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast Broadwater is one of Queensland’s most stunning boating destinations. Its calm, sheltered waters and scenic coastlines make it ideal for exploring by boat, whether you’re after a relaxing day on the water or a private adventure with friends and family.

Why the Broadwater is Worth Exploring

The Broadwater offers more than just beautiful views. Its wide, protected waterways and nearby islands create a perfect playground for all kinds of experiences. Swim at hidden beaches, spot waterfront landmarks, or simply soak up the scenery as the city skyline reflects on the water. 

The Gold Coast is one of the best destinations to enjoy the annual humpback whale migration.

This is because it’s positioned to have the longest continuous migration in Australia. During the Gold Coast whale season, all 40,000 (approx.) humpback whales that travel up the east coast of Australia pass by the Gold Coast Bay.

The Humpback Whales depart their home in Antarctica and make their way north for a few different reasons.

Firstly, the whales migrate to warmer waters throughout winter to breed. The breeding activity we witness onboard our Whale Watching Gold Coast cruise is called the “Heat Run’. This is when a female has amassed attention from the males in the area, usually resulting in incredibly large pods of whales travelling quickly and erratically.

The female will generally be leading the pack, with the males battling for position to get alongside and prove they’re worthy of being able to mate with. These behaviours are incredibly exciting to experience as we can often see a lot of breaching and peduncle (whale tail) throws. This behaviour can be witnessed throughout the entirety of the humpback whale migration on the Gold Coast, from June to October.

The Gold Coast whale watching season runs from the end of May to the end of October. During this time, you are incredibly likely to see more than one humpback whale on your Kokomo Whale Watching Cruise.

Whale Watching on the Gold Coast is an experience of a lifetime.

With approximately 40,000 whales passing our coastline during their migration, the chances of spotting whales are incredibly high. In fact, we have spotted whales on 100% of our tours for the past two years!

Onboard Kokomo Cruises Whale Watching, we offer a whale sighting guarantee – or receive a free return voucher with no expiry.

Onboard our Whale Watching Gold Coast cruise you can expect to find more than one whale!

Our purpose-built vessel and expert crew ensure we don’t just see whales but find the most interactive whales to experience. With speed and visibility on our side, we can spot whales easily by picking up on a few key traits.

Once we’ve departed our berth at Marina Mirage, it’s a short cruise out to the seaway entrance and out to the ‘whale highway’.

Once a whale is spotted, we approach slowly and match the direction of travel and speed of the whale as best we can to ensure we don’t miss when they’re on the surface. Guests can stand or sit to experience the whales as they swim by our vessel, and enjoy the informational commentary discussing the behaviours that are being witnessed, fun facts, and the history of each whale species.

Whales aren’t the only marine life spotted onboard our cruises, we often see dolphins, turtles, sharks, seabirds and lots of different fish too!

Our goal as an eco-tourism business is to not only ensure all our guests enjoy a breathtaking experience, but also grow a deeper understanding and passion for the marine life we are so lucky to be able to experience.

As well as our whale watching cruises Gold Coast, we also offer:

Private Boat Charter

Create the perfect day or evening on one of our private charters! Perfect for special occasions of all sorts, a private charter will allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of the Gold Coast Broad water in comfort. We can give you a private sunset cruise, private whale-watching experience, or even a wine tasting cruise!

Find out more

Cruise With Culture

Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture with a scenic cultural cruise or a guided Walkabout tour—both now just $50 per person!

Discover the stories, history, and breathtaking landscapes of the Gold Coast, connecting with the land and its people in an unforgettable way.

Departing from Marina Mirage, this immersive cultural cruise combines the breathtaking beauty of the Gold Coast Broadwater with the rich heritage of Australia’s Aboriginal people.

Find out more

Book a Whale-Watching Tour Today & See These Beautiful Creatures Up Close!