Sundive Whale Watching
Coming Soon!
Experience the humpback whale migration from Australia’s most easterly point
East Coast Population Whale watching from the water
Whale watching in Byron Bay is one of the great seasonal experiences on Australia’s east coast. Each year, thousands of humpback whales travel along the coastline as part of the East Coast Population migration, passing directly by Cape Byron on their journey between Antarctic feeding grounds and warmer northern waters.
From the water, these encounters feel completely different. You are surrounded by open ocean, scanning the horizon for the first signs — a distant breach, a tail slap, or the unmistakable plume of a whale’s blow drifting across the sea. Some days the whales cruise steadily north or south; other days they pause, play, rest, or approach the boat with a calm curiosity that makes every trip unique.
The East Coast Population of humpback whales is one of Australia’s great wildlife recovery stories. After being heavily impacted during the whaling era, the population has gradually rebuilt over decades of protection.
Our whale watching trips are designed to give guests a genuine ocean experience rather than simply a sightseeing tour. Conditions change daily, and every trip is shaped by the weather, sea state and whale activity on the day.
How the trip works
Whale watching trips will check in and return to Sundive in Byron Bay. After arrival at the shop, guests will receive a trip briefing before being transferred by bus from Sundive to the launch point at The Pass boat ramp.
Our whale watching RIB, Plucka Duck, is specifically designed for beach launches and ocean conditions along the Byron Bay coastline. To access the boat, guests will need to enter the water and get their lower halves wet while boarding through small waves.
Because boarding involves moving through water and climbing onto the vessel, a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required. Guests should be able-bodied and comfortable standing in shallow water with waves around them before stepping onto the boat.
We recommend wearing shorts or clothing suitable for getting wet. There will be space on board for towels so guests can dry off once they are on the boat. Ponchos will be provided to help protect upper bodies from spray and splashing.
Whale season runs through the cooler months, so we also recommend bringing warm clothing. Even on clear days, conditions offshore can feel cold once the boat is moving.
