FAQS

The simple answer is there isn’t a “best” time of day to see Humpback Whales. The whales are active 24 hours a day, and incredible encounters can happen on any of our departure times throughout our whale season (May – October).

If you’re choosing based on ocean conditions, we generally recommend our earlier cruises, as they often experience calmer seas and lighter winds. However, every day is different, and weather and ocean conditions can vary.

Importantly, calmer conditions do not mean better whale sightings, only guest comfort. Some of our most spectacular humpback whale encounters have occurred during windy and rainy weather, and at all cruise times throughout the day!

Ultimately, the best whale watching cruise departure time and month comes down to your personal preference. If you’re unsure which cruise is right for you, or are prone to seasickness, please give us a call and we’d be happy to recommend the most suitable departure based on the latest forecast.

Most guests enjoy their Whale Watching experience without any issues. Our purpose-built Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RIBs) have a low profile and excellent stability, which many guests find provides a smoother ride than they expect. However, as we operate in the open ocean, sea conditions vary from day to day and some guests may still experience motion sickness whilst we are stationary interacting with marine life.

If you’re prone to seasickness, we recommend:

• Choosing one of our earlier departures, which often experience calmer ocean conditions.
• Taking your preferred motion sickness medication (such as Kwells or Travacalm) before boarding, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Eating a light meal beforehand and staying hydrated.
• Letting our crew know before departure so we can seat you towards the rear of the vessel where the motion is often gentler.
• Looking towards the horizon and avoiding long periods looking down at your phone or camera.

If you begin to feel unwell during the cruise, simply let one of our crew know. We carry seasickness bags onboard and are always happy to assist.

If you’re unsure which departure is best for you, please give us a call. We’re happy to provide an update on the latest ocean conditions and recommend the most suitable cruise.

Unfortunately we do not recommend any of our ocean based tours to anyone that is pregnant or has any neck, back, spine injury or condition, due to the nature of the ocean cruises.

Your safety is always our highest priority. If wind, ocean swell or bar crossing conditions are considered unsafe or unsuitable, we may cancel or postpone a cruise.

We closely monitor weather forecasts and ocean conditions in the lead-up to every departure and will always provide as much notice as possible to our guests. However, forecasts can change quickly, so occasionally cancellations may only be made on the day if conditions deteriorate unexpectedly.

Rain or overcast skies will not affect your Whale Watching cruise or snorkel tour. In fact, whales and other marine life are just as active in these conditions!

If we cancel your cruise due to weather, you’ll have the choice of:

• Rescheduling to another available departure,
• Reissue gift cards used or
• Receiving a full refund.

Please note: bookings made using a redeemed gift voucher are transferable to another departure or person but are not refundable.

If you’re travelling a long distance or have any questions about the forecast, please don’t hesitate to contact us before your cruise.

Many guests choose Out Of The Blue Adventures as their preferred tour company and whale watching cruise in the Byron Bay and Ballina region for our small groups, experienced crew and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Here’s what makes our Whale Watching experience different:

• Consistently rated one of the region’s highest-reviewed whale watching experiences and adventure tours, with thousands of five-star reviews from happy guests.
• Qualified Marine Biologists onboard every cruise, sharing fascinating insights into Humpback Whales and the marine life of Cape Byron Marine Park.
• Purpose-built 20 and 25-seat vessels, providing a more personal experience than larger commercial boats, with comfortable seating and unobstructed 360° views.
• Professional, passionate crew who are consistently praised for their knowledge, enthusiasm and exceptional customer service from booking through to the end of your adventure.
• Hydrophone onboard (conditions permitting), allowing you to listen to live Humpback Whale song beneath the surface.
• Free professional photos included with every cruise, so you can simply enjoy the experience.
• Whale Sighting Guarantee during the season, giving you complete peace of mind.

From your first enquiry to stepping back onto the jetty, our goal is to provide a safe, educational and memorable wildlife experience that guests recommend to their family and friends.

Our Whale Watching season generally runs from late May until the end of October, when over fifty thousand Humpback Whales migrate along the coastline past Byron Bay and Ballina.

There isn’t a “best” month to go whale watching. Every trip is unique because we’re observing wild animals in their natural environment, and we never know what nature has in store.

One day we may encounter curious juveniles or witness a dramatic heat run, where males compete fiercely for the opportunity to mate. Another day, we may be lucky enough to observe the tender moments of mothers teaching, guiding and playing with their calves. Every cruise tells a different story, and that’s what makes whale watching so special.

While whales can occasionally still be seen into early November, our scheduled Whale Watching season generally concludes at the end of October.

Our adventures are designed for the whole family, although minimum age requirements vary depending on the experience.

• Whale Watching, Snorkeling & Dolphin Cruises: Minimum age 5 years.
• River Cruises: Minimum age 3 years.

Children aged 5–11 years travel at the child rate on our ocean cruises and must always be accompanied by a paying adult.

All guests are provided with life jackets and our experienced crew will deliver a full safety briefing before departure.

Your chances of seeing whales with Out Of The Blue Adventures are extremely high. Every year, over 50,000 Humpback Whales migrate past the Byron Bay and Ballina coastline, making it one of Australia’s premier whale watching destinations.

While whales are wild animals and sightings can never be predicted with absolute certainty, it’s extremely rare not to encounter them during the migration season.

That’s why we confidently offer our Whale Sighting Guarantee. In the unlikely event you don’t see a whale on your cruise, we’ll welcome you back for a complimentary return Whale Watching trip to try again!

At Out Of The Blue Adventures, we operate purpose-built 20 and 25-seat Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RIBs), designed specifically for safe, comfortable and immersive whale watching experiences.

With a maximum of 20–25 guests onboard, our smaller vessels provide a far more personal experience than larger commercial boats, featuring individual forward-facing seats with backrests and drink holders, unobstructed 360° views, and plenty of room to move around.

Unlike larger commercial vessels, our boats sit low to the water, allowing you to feel closer to the whales. Curious Humpback Whales will occasionally approach the vessel of their own accord, and it’s not uncommon to witness unforgettable moments as they spy hop at eye level to investigate us.

Our experienced skippers use the agility of our vessels to safely position the boat for exceptional viewing opportunities while always operating within Australian whale watching regulations.

The vast majority of guests should be comfortable boarding our vessel from the jetty. If you have any mobility concerns, please contact us before booking and we’ll be happy to discuss whether the experience is suitable for you.

We welcome guests with a range of mobility needs and will always do our best to accommodate you where it’s safe to do so.

Our departure wharf is accessible for wheelchairs and walkers, and many guests with limited mobility have successfully joined our Whale Watching cruises. However, due to the design of our vessels, wheelchairs cannot be taken onboard and guests must be able to transfer from their wheelchair onto the vessel with assistance if required.

Every guest’s needs are different, so we encourage you to contact us before booking. We’ll be happy to discuss your individual requirements and let you know whether the experience is likely to be suitable for you.

Yes! We do offer private charters. Our vessels can seat up to 20 passengers on our ‘Out Of The Blue’ vessel and up to 25 passengers on our ‘Into The Blue’ vessel. Both vessels can also be booked to go out together depending on the tour requested and date. To enquire further, please email or call us on 0407 522 422 to reserve your exclusive charter. Please keep in mind that to secure your desired date and time, it is recommended to book as far in advance as possible.

We recommend you show up to the boat with an extra layer of clothing just in case you get a little wet or cold. During winter, it is recommended to bring something warm to wear under the spray and wind resistant jackets we provide. It is typically cooler on the water than on land and temperatures may change throughout your adventure. We also recommend sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat (even on overcast days), a water bottle and a camera to capture the time of you life!

Yes, we highly recommend booking your tour or cruise a few days in advance, particularly during school holidays, weekends and peak whale season.

While we occasionally have availability for same-day bookings, many departures sell out in advance due to our small group sizes of just 20–25 guests.

Booking ahead guarantees your preferred departure time and helps avoid disappointment. If you’re looking to book on the day, please give us a call on 0407522422 and we’ll be happy to let you know our latest availability.

Yes, our vessel will disembark from the same location as where we board. There is plenty of free parking at our boarding locations.

There is a possibility of getting wet on our ocean cruises when it’s windy and choppy since our vessel is open and low to the water. We provide high quality jackets that fit over your warm layers and provide wind and water protection. The captain will endeavour to keep you as dry as possible, but in some conditions spray is inevitable.

Small GF refreshments and drinks are provided on River Cruise Private Charters only. We also have a cooler on board that can accommodate light snacks and beverages (available for Private Charters only). There are restaurants nearby to the boarding wharf. We do not recommend bringing full carry-out meals or picnics on board, unless you have booked a private charter.

We consciously do not offer single-use plastic water bottles. As ocean ambassadors, we support alternatives to “disposable” plastics because we’ve seen the destructive effects it has on the sea life we love. We might even stop to pick up some plastic trash or a deflated helium balloon during your trip, and celebrate saving the life of a sea turtle or whale that will not eat that one piece of plastic by accident. However, please feel free to bring your own water bottle onboard.

Fine leather that could be damaged by salt, high-heeled shoes or loose sandals, skirts, full meals, crumbly or messy snacks, any glassware.

Due to Byron Bay itself not having a jetty or Marina to allow passengers to board vessels, we offer departure locations on our Whale Watching Cruises from Ballina and our Snorkeling tours from Brunswick Heads. The only difference is that our Ballina departure can often experience safer bar crossing conditions for the winter whale watching season.

Yes, everyone is required to wear the provided life jackets on board.  There are enough for each passenger. All children must wear a life vest at all times.

While our crew are all animal lovers (we even have some furry friends helping us in the office!), unfortunately we cannot allow pets on any of our cruises.

While we don’t currently have a formal Companion Card program, we’d still love to welcome companion card holders aboard! Please feel free to contact our office to see what we can accommodate for you.