Introducing Whale Week—a new kind of retreat from The Pressure Project, designed around the awe-inspiring migration of Humpback Whales along the stunning Sunshine Coast of Australia.
Whale Week Australia
Whale Swims – Freedive/Snorkel – Workshops
Whale Week Australia
Whale Swims - Freedive/Snorkel - Workshops
Experience The Gentle Giants Of The Australian East Coast
Escape to the Sunshine Coast: a preview of our upcoming retreat
A Deep Dive into Wonder
Introducing Whale Week—Australia’s ultimate whale swim retreat by The Pressure Project. This transformative experience is built around the awe-inspiring annual migration of humpback whales along the stunning Sunshine Coast. With our own boat and a small, expert crew, we spend seven days in one of the best whale swim Australia locations, offering truly unforgettable humpback whale swims and humpback whale encounters.
Running during peak migration season (June–October), Whale Week gives you front-row access to thousands of whales as they journey from Antarctica to the warm waters of the East Coast. Our whale swim Sunshine Coast retreat is your chance to witness mothers and calves gliding gently past, or playful juveniles breaching beside the boat—all part of an intimate and respectful humpback whale swim experience.
This isn’t just a tour—it’s a full retreat, crafted for those seeking depth, connection, and adventure. With only 8 guests each week, you’ll enjoy daily time on the water, guided by skilled ocean lovers. Whether you’re snorkeling or joining from a freediving background, our team supports you through safe and ethical whale swims in Australia, helping you read whale behaviour and connect deeply with these incredible animals.
Outside of the water, Whale Week includes daily practices and workshops like breathwork, meditation, ocean education, photography chats, and ice baths—designed to enrich your experience both physically and mentally.
If you’re looking for a powerful, nature-based escape, this is it. Whale Week is the first retreat of its kind to offer a dedicated, all-inclusive humpback whale swim Sunshine Coast experience.
Spaces are limited. Reach out now to express interest before bookings open to the public.
Note: All encounters are conducted with respect for marine life. While we aim for meaningful humpback whale swims, sightings cannot be guaranteed as we’re interacting with wild animals in their natural habitat.
Itinerary
This is a loose outline to give you a sense of what the week might look like. Exact schedules may vary depending on weather and wildlife encounters – our priority is to make the most of every moment on and off the water.
Day 1
- Arrival to the Sunshine Coast
- Welcome & Intro workshop on interacting with Humpback Whales
- Guided snorkelling and freediving tips
- First ocean session – our first opportunity to meet the whales
Day 2-6
- Daily Whale Swim adventures
- Exploring the ocean and local reefs
- Breathwork and yoga sessions to reset and recharge
- Ice baths and mindfulness practices
- Talks on everything between marine life, the ocean and underwater photography
Day 7
- Final morning on the water for one last whale swim
- Sadly it’s time to say goodbye, but with memories that will last forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 7 days of ocean and whale adventures and whale swims
- Exploring local reefs
- Guidance for snorkellers and certified freedivers
- Guided breathwork and meditation sessions
- Ice baths and cold exposure practices
- Yoga and movement workshops
- Engaging talks on everything from marine megafauna to ocean photography
- Photo & Video package of trip highlights
- Experienced freedive guides and skipper
- Flights & Accommodation
- All wildlife is wild and can’t be guaranteed
- Perfect weather
- Meals
If you are travelling from overseas you will require your own personal travel insurance.
Each year, humpback whales migrate along Australia’s East Coast, bringing their beauty, power, and grace to our doorstep. This is your chance to witness these incredible animals in their natural habitat—up close and personal. It’s a deeply moving, once-in-a-lifetime experience that connects you to the ocean in a whole new way. Whale swims Sunshine Coast.
No! You don’t need to be certified or a strong freediver to join our whale swims and ocean adventures. We offer guidance for all levels, whether you’re a seasoned freediver or a first-time snorkeller. You just need to be comfortable in the ocean and able to swim 200m unassisted for multiple days in a row.
While we can help with some gear, we strongly encourage you to bring your own snorkel, mask, fins and wetsuit that you have tested and are comfortable with! We have safety vests on board of our vessel.
Yes. Our experienced team follows strict safety protocols and adheres to Australian wildlife interaction guidelines. We approach every encounter with respect for the whales’ space and behaviour. As with any wildlife activity, there are always risks, but we work hard to ensure your experience is both safe and respectful.
A moderate level of fitness is expected. You’ll be getting in and out of boats, swimming, and spending time in the ocean. Being confident in the water makes the experience more enjoyable.
Yes minimum age is 10 years old but there is no maximum age limit as long as you are in good health. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Our experienced skipper and crew will assess the whale’s behaviour before deciding if we can get in the water with it. Sometimes whales are a little shy and sometimes they might be involved in a ‘heat run’ (mating behaviours). A heat run is often accompanied by lots of tail and peck fin slaps in which case it would not be safe to enter the water.
These are wild animals in their natural habitat, so whale sightings and whale swims can’t be guaranteed. That said, our team has a strong track record and deep knowledge of the area. We’ll do our absolute best to give you an unforgettable experience on the water.
SEASON 2024: Wow what a season 2024 was. We saw Whales on 100% of our trips. For the season 2024 our strike rate swimming with them was 93%. We are so proud of our team in 2024 and look forward to 2025 when these beautiful Humpback Whales grace us with their presence again.
Rest assured, all our operations adhere strictly to the Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching 2017 and the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2017 Act. Your safety and the well-being of marine life are our top priorities, and we ensure that our practices align with these regulations to provide a responsible and sustainable experience
Disclaimer 1: we do not guarantee whales or getting in the water with whales. The crew reserve the right to decide which whales are suitable and which are not. This is an organic experience and every interaction is on the whales behalf. The crew also reserve the right to cancel the trip at any given time in case of adverse weather conditions. Lastly if you pose a threat to yourself, others or the whale by not listening to crew instructions this could als result in a termination of the trip or in water activities.
Disclaimer 2: By booking this experience, participants acknowledge and understand that they will be interacting with large animals. While we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure a safe and controlled environment, it is important to recognise that there is always an inherent risk associated with such activities. By booking this experience, participants hereby release The Pressure Project from any liability arising from their participation in this retreat, understanding that they are assuming any and all risks involved.
The retreat is held on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. The closest airport is Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY), or you can fly into Brisbane and drive about 1.5 hours north. Our vessel departs from Mooloolaba. Locations for daily workshops will be communicated during the retreat week.