Humpback Whale Swim
Swim with humpback whales on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland's most personal whale experience — guided, respectful, unforgettable. Connection before crowds and presence before pressure.
Swim With Humpback Whales on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland
A once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each winter, thousands of humpback whales migrate along Australia’s east coast — and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland is one of the best places to swim with whales in the world. With calm waters, clear visibility, and an abundance of marine life, it’s the perfect place to encounter these gentle giants up close.
Our whale swims are small, personal, and deeply respectful. We keep group sizes to a minimum, giving you the best chance of a meaningful interaction — and giving the whales space to approach on their own terms. Guided by expert freedivers and marine educators, these tours go far beyond wildlife watching — they’re a rare opportunity to swim with humpback whales in their natural habitat.
What Makes Our Humpback Whale Swims Different
-
Smallest group whale swims on the Sunshine Coast
-
Led by experienced freedivers trained in ocean safety and marine behaviour
-
Snorkelling techniques & breathwork guidance included to help you move calmly and confidently in the water
-
Whale body language education so you can understand and respond to their cues respectfully
-
No rushing, no pressure — we let the whales choose to come to us
-
Bonus snorkelling stop at a nearby reef (weather permitting and case by case basis)
We don’t just jump in. Every decision is made with care — for your safety and for the whales’ wellbeing. This approach creates more authentic and unforgettable encounters. It’s not just freediving and snorkelling with whales, it’s connecting with nature on its own terms.
Whale Season on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast offers some of the most reliable and rewarding humpback whale swims in Queensland. In 2024, we had a 100% whale sighting rate, and a 93% success rate swimming with them. These numbers reflect not only the abundance of whales — but also the patience, knowledge, and respect our crew brings to every trip.
The season runs from June to October, during the peak of the east coast migration. During this time, humpbacks travel north to breed and birth in warmer waters before returning south with their young — often lingering and resting in our calm bays.
Who It’s For
Whether you’re a confident swimmer or new to the ocean, our team is here to support you. You’ll receive full guidance before entering the water, and we tailor the experience to suit all comfort levels. Our goal is simple: to help you feel safe, present, and ready for the moment when it happens.
The Details
We depart for The Wharf Mooloolaba, with morning and afternoon trips available (times are confirmed the day before you swim). You’ll be given clear instructions and where to park and meet the team — typically between The Booking Box and Rice Boi at The Wharf.
Book Your Whale Swim Experience
If you’re looking to swim with whales in Queensland Australia, and want a more personal, uncrowded, respectful alternative — this is it. We invite you to join us for a humpback swim experience that puts connection before crowds and presence before pressure.
Let the ocean show you something unforgettable. Step into an intimate realm of wonder as you immerse yourself in the world of majestic Humpback Whales off the breathtaking Sunshine Coast. This isn’t just a journey; it’s a deeply personal encounter with nature’s most magnificent creatures.
Looking For A Full Week of Whales?
Join us for Australia’s first Whale Week — a unique, week-long immersion on the Sunshine Coast that combines daily humpback whale swims, snorkelling and freediving, and time to truly settle into the rhythm of the ocean. It’s the perfect way to deepen you connection with these gentle giants and experience more encounters, more learning, and more magic. Limited spots available each week. Click here for more information about Whale Week.
@Jonoallenphotography
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.
No! As long as you can swim and are in good health, you can come along.
Nature operates on its own terms, and while we strive for the best experience, we cannot guarantee whale sightings. If fortune smiles upon us, we’ll have the privilege of encountering these magnificent creatures. However, it’s important to note that every interaction is dictated by the whales themselves. With their remarkable memory and intelligence, we aim to ensure that our encounters are mutually enjoyable experiences for both our guests and the whales.
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.
If the skipper and crew do not see any whales on the trip we will assess the weather conditions and take you to our snorkelling spot to swim with turtles instead, at that point we will only charge you for a snorkelling at Mudjimba trip, and you can use your left over credit for any of our other trips.
We meet at The Wharf Mooloolaba. Details regarding time will be sent out the day before for your trip but generally the morning trip will depart around 7:30 and the afternoon trip around 12:30. Please find all day parking with Penny Lane being a great option. (Meeting place is between the booking box and Rice Boi once you arrive at The Wharf,)
Bring plenty of water, a light snack, a towel and your swimsuit. If you have your own mask, fins and wetsuit please bring that too. Warm dry clothes or a jacket such as a rain jacket are a good idea as it can get cold on the boat.
Up to your preference, however we recommend bringing a 3-5mm as it can get cold in winter. Otherwise we will supply you with a wetsuit.
Yes it is included in the price, but we do recommend bringing your own.
Yes! We do half day or full day (7-8h) charters for whale swimming, whale watching, snorkelling trips or other freediving trips! Please contact us for more information 🙂
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.