Your friendly crew will be waiting for you next to the white trailer with Cooly Eco Adventures signage
Description
Cooly Eco Adventures uses the ‘soft in-water encounters’ approach which is a proven method to achieve a successful and sustainable whale swim.
Every whale swim is unique and our highly experienced skipper and crew are on hand throughout to make this experience personal as well as professional. They have a wealth of knowledge and passion for whales and the stunning Gold Coast region they look forward to sharing with you.
Tour Options
Swim with Whales Gold Coast
What's included
Included
Spray jackets provided
In water support from crew as well as floatation devices if required
Wetsuits provided
Fresh tropical fruit post whale swim
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Unique commentary by a marine naturalist
Traveller Ratings
4.9
50 reviews
5
47
4
2
3
0
2
1
1
0
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
No serious medical conditions
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Swim with Whales Gold Coast take?
Swim with Whales Gold Coast lasts about 4 hours.
How much does Swim with Whales Gold Coast cost?
Prices start at $314 per person for this Gold Coast experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Swim with Whales Gold Coast for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Your friendly crew will be waiting for you next to the white trailer with Cooly Eco Adventures signage. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Swim with Whales Gold Coast offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 9 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Swim with Whales Gold Coast worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 50 verified reviews; it is run by Cooly Eco Adventures.
Reviews(50)
L
lilypw1
September 19, 2026
Epic day out!
We had an amazing day out with Cooly Eco Adventures! Staff were amazing and incredibly helpful, Jemma was a very skilled skipper and put us in the best positions for our swims, and Hayley did a fantastic job keeping everyone safe and ensuring everyone saw the whales. They were both so informative and really knew their stuff, with lots of amazing facts and answering everyone’s questions. Could really they respected the whales space and that our interactions were on the whales terms. Highly recommend!
Operator response
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! 💙 We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing day with Jemma and Hayley. It’s fantastic to hear you enjoyed the experience and appreciated our approach to respectful, responsible whale encounters. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to the team! 🐋🌊
W
WatJac
September 15, 2026
A whale of a time
Whales are such magnificent creatures and to get so close was truly an incredible experience! Lachie, the skipper and Tash were excellent and passionate guides. Lachie had a wealth of knowledge about humpback whales and the small boat size was perfect for a safari experience. But naturally, the whales stole the show! The whale interaction in the water, and from the boat felt really respectful to the whales, with the whales being able to dictate how close they got to us and how long they stayed. An unforgettable experience ✨
A
A4003PFrachelb
July 16, 2026
You need to do this!
The whale swim experience was absolute perfection. The crew worked so hard to get everyone on board the experience we had all hoped for. We had 5 swims with 3 of the 5 close encounters with the whales. They were knowledgeable, kind, fun and made sure everyone felt relaxed and super safe. Their passion for the whales is evident in the way they speak, their adherence to rules and regulations about how close the boat can get and what everyone can do to ensure the success of the east coast population.
The swim itself was like nothing I have ever experienced before. We have swum with whale sharks in WA, Sharks in Hawaii and Kayaked with dolphins in Byron Bay and snorkelled the Great Barrier Reef and this experience topped the list for wildlife encounters.
10/10 recommend. One for the history books!
Operator response
We are completely blown away by this review! To be ranked above experiences like swimming with whale sharks and the Great Barrier Reef is the highest compliment our team could ever receive. Thank you so much for recognising the hard work, passion, and care our crew puts into protecting these incredible animals and keeping everyone safe. Five swims and three close encounters is a day we won't forget either! Thank you for sharing the water with us, it was truly an honour to host you.
K
kellydU9050SY
June 29, 2026
Most incredible experience of my entire life!
I went on a whale swim experience yesterday and it was honestly the most incredible experience of my entire life. The whole tour was just run so well from start to finish.
What I really loved is that the group sizes are small, on a smaller boat, and everything is done completely on the whale's terms, it's not guaranteed that the whales will swim with/near you, and I think that's exactly how it should be. It makes the whole experience feel so much more special and respectful of the animals.
We actually got to swim near the whales and saw so many breaching too, it was absolutely breathtaking, words can't describe. The staff were so kind, patient and knowledgeable, and I loved how they wove in information about the whales alongside the environmental impact humans have on the ocean and the whales' food source (krill).
I genuinely cannot stop thinking about it. I will be recommending Cooly Eco Adventures to absolutely everyone I meet, and will 100% be booking again! Thank you so much!
Operator response
Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to share such an incredible review! 🐋💙
Reading this truly means the world to our whole team. We love that you appreciated our small group approach and our commitment to putting the whales first. Every encounter happens on their terms, and while that means nothing is ever guaranteed, it also makes those moments when they choose to interact with us so much more meaningful.
We're so happy you experienced breaching and were able to swim alongside these amazing animals - those are the kinds of moments that stay with you forever. It's also wonderful to hear that you enjoyed learning more about the whales, the ocean, and why protecting their environment is so important to us.
Thank you for your kind words and for recommending us to others. We can't wait to welcome you back on board for another unforgettable adventure. Until then, keep those whale memories close! 🌊💙
R
Resort29817509703
June 28, 2026
INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!
I honestly couldn’t recommend Cooly Eco Adventures enough! From the moment we stepped on the boat, it felt less like a tour and more like spending the day with friends. The crew were so welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do.
Swimming with the whales was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives, and the team made us feel safe, comfortable, and excited the entire time. Their respect for the whales and the ocean was really evident, which made the experience even more special.
If you’re thinking about booking a whale swim experience, do it and do it with Cooly Eco Adventures. It was an unforgettable day that we’ll be talking about for years to come. Thank you for such an amazing experience! 🐋💙🌊
Operator response
Wow, thank you so much for your incredible review! 🐋💙
Reading this absolutely made our day. We're so happy to hear that you felt like you were out on the water with friends—that's exactly the experience we hope to create for everyone who joins us.
It was such a privilege to share this unforgettable whale encounter with you. There's nothing quite like seeing these incredible animals in their natural environment, and we're thrilled you felt safe, comfortable, and well looked after throughout the experience.
Thank you for recognising our crew's passion for the whales and the ocean. Protecting and respecting these amazing animals is at the heart of everything we do, so it means a lot that this came through during your day with us.
Thanks again for choosing Cooly Eco Adventures. We hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure soon—whether it's another whale swim or one of our other ocean experiences. Until then, thanks for helping us share the magic of the humpback season! 🌊🐋💙
J
johnaM7932XZ
June 12, 2026
11/10 experience
Such a great experience! Team were very knowledgeable about whales and had a genuine love for them an all seq creatures. It was a privilege to be able to see them in their natural habitat!
Operator response
An 11/10 rating completely blows us away, thank you! 🐋 It truly is a profound privilege to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, and we are so glad that came through during your tour. Our team's genuine love for the ocean and all its sea creatures is the driving force behind everything we do, so hearing that their passion shined through means the world to us. Thank you for sharing the love, and we hope to welcome you back on board soon!
R
rosetN9219LF
October 17, 2025
What a wild experience
Had a great time. Visibility Wasn’t as good as it could be which was disappointing but an incredibly memorable day and a really informative guide
Operator response
Thanks so much for joining us! Visibility is something we unfortunately can’t control, but we’re so glad you still had an amazing and memorable experience.
S
sarij487
October 6, 2025
Amazing experience
It was such an amazing experience!! I would love to do it again someday :)
Also the guides were soo nice and helpful all the time. I would really recommend the trip!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience and enjoyed the support from our guides. It means a lot that you’d recommend us, and we’d be delighted to welcome you back for another adventure on the water!
K
kaylasF4850BR
September 19, 2025
GO DO IT- Be Brave
Truly a once in a lifetime experience. Went out again I loved it so much. You can feel the love of whales and the Pacific Ocean from the crew, so full of knowledge and energy. I would/will be coming again! Also can Cory let me know where gets his coffee from so that I can regularly that energized and enthused at 6:30am? Cheers !
Operator response
Thanks so much for the awesome review! 🐋💙 We’re thrilled you felt all the whale love and Pacific vibes—our crew works hard to bring that energy! As for Cory’s secret coffee… let’s just say it’s part magic, part very strong caffeine ☕😉. Keep it up and you’ll be matching him at 6:30am in no time! Can’t wait to have you back for round two on the water!
L
Laurent K
September 2, 2025
What a feeling!
We enjoyed a beautiful break of more than 5 hours with 2 friendly and motivated companions, who share their respect for cetaceans and their way of life. Diving with whales, watching from the boat and walking at sea: everything contributes to a slow and calm timeless moment
Operator response
Wow, what a wonderful way to put it! We love to hear that you had such a special time out on the water! We look forward to welcoming you back sometime in the future :)
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