ABOUT OUR TOUR
To swim with whales is undoubtedly a remarkable, intimate experience you won’t soon forget.
Each year between May and November the subtropical waters of Australia’s east coast host 40,000 humpback whales on migration from Antarctica. They follow the path of the continental shelf which runs closest to the shoreline between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, making this the prime location for us to witness the whales in their natural environment.
TOUR DETAILS
PRICE
$379 AUD per person (15yrs+)
$3299 AUD private charter (1-9 passengers) Call to book!
LOCATION & DURATION
Chinderah , NSW. 4hrs approx.
Daily Departure Times
6:30am & 11am (Weather & Tide depending
Guarantee
Whale sightings from the boat 100% Guaranteed or return for free!
our TOUR GALLERY
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Qualified, experienced and professional skipper and crew
- Maximum 9 swimmers in the water accompanied by an experienced guide
- In-water whale swimming interactions as close as 30 metre approach – the rest is up to the whale!
- Top of the range swim and snorkel gear (masks, fins, snorkel) including super warm wetsuits and Reef Safe Sunscreen
- In water support from crew available as well as floatation devices
- Informative and captivating commentary throughout the tour on humpback whales and other marine life; Australian Aboriginal and European history along with the local area.
- Fresh fruit post swim
Each year between May and November the subtropical waters of Australia’s east coast host 40,000 humpback whales on migration from Antarctica. Join our Swim with Whales Tour located near the Gold Coast, Coolangatta and Tweed heads area!
They follow the path of the continental shelf which runs closest to the shoreline between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, making this the prime location for us to witness the whales in their natural environment.
To swim with whales is undoubtedly a remarkable, intimate experience you won’t soon forget. Cooly Eco Adventures is the first operator on the Gold Coast to offer swimming with whales and it is our prime objective to give you that experience in a safe and environmentally conscious way.
We do everything we can to maximise your chance of swimming with whales but what you must understand is; we don’t swim with whales, the whales swim with us. While we guarantee whale sightings, we cannot guarantee your swim with them; the time they spend with us or the proximity they will come.
At Cooly Eco Adventures, we’re all about giving you the best possible experience. That’s why we only run one whale swim tour a day, departing in the early mornings when conditions are typically at their finest. Unlike other operators with back-to-back schedules, our single daily swim tour means we’re never in a rush. We take our time to carefully search for the most receptive whales to swim with, allowing for the most ultimate experience and our undivided attention.
Our passionate crew of expert guides are dedicated not only to providing unforgettable encounters, but also sharing their knowledge and love for whales and marine conservation. With their expertise and genuine enthusiasm, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of these incredible mammals and their environment, all while enjoying a relaxed adventure that puts quality over quantity.
what to expect
HOW TO GET HERE
Our departure location is Chinderah, situated 10 minutes drive from Coolangatta
139-151 Chinderah bay drive Nsw 2487
Directions
If you are driving from the south on the pacific motorway, take the Kingscliff/ Cudgen exit. and go left at the round about, follow this road.
If you are driving from the north on the Pacific Motorway, take the Kingscliff/Cudgen exit, and go right at the round about. Passing under the motor way and then follow this road.
PARKING
There is street parking available along Chinderah Bay Dr.
Please Note: Do not park in front of the Cubby Bakehouse or in the
Chinderah pub car park.
OUR vessel
Cooly Eco Adventures operates with a customised commercial safari style open ocean RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) vessel, at 32ft in length and seating 12 guests plus captain and crew.
It is an efficient, fast and fun vessel offering the most intimate encounters available for Gold Coast whale watching.
The vessel provides ‘jockey’ seating, which offers a secure, comfortable and fun means of travel. Each seat opens up to provide water-tight storage for valuables.
Perfectly geared for off-shore Gold Coast water adventure, it is powered by two best-in-class 250HP Suzuki Engines, allowing us to cover greater distances quickly and efficiently, with less fuel burn. This ultimately means more successful whale watching and marine life encounters for you!
REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Biodegradable
We use Biodegradable and reef friendly cleaning products and provide reef safe sunscreen onboard. This helps reduce the impact of harsh chemicals on the reef and marine life.
Plastic free wherever possible
We have reduced our single use plastic waste or cut it out entirely wherever we can.
No touch, no take
All our guests are informed about the marine life they are going to see in and out of the water. A no touch, no take policy implemented on all tours, ensures minimal disturbance to marine life.
Minimal marine emissions
When only the best is good enough. The boats engines two best in-class 2025 Suzuki 250hp with ultra low emissions. They are serviced and updated regularly to ensure efficiency and minimal emissions.
A Clean, Green machine
The company Troop Carrier has been upgraded to a Hydrogen enhancing fuel system, which has increased the mileage by 40% and reduced 99% of the emissions coming out of the tail pipe!!
Composting
We compost our food scraps, leftovers and our coffee cups so that less ends up in landfill.
Uniforms
All crew uniforms are made from recycled materials and are fair trade certified.
gear
The gear we provide is purchased from reputable, high quality brands to ensure longevity. When our wetsuits reach the ends of their lives, we give them back to brands that recycle the rubber.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
got questions?
we’ve got answers.
Yes, Private charters are available. Please call or email us for availability.