Your Whale Watching Pre-Arrival Guide
Thanks for choosing Sea World Cruises! Our check-in team, crew, skippers, and research staff look forward to welcoming you onboard. To help you make the most of your whale watching experience, we’ve put together some helpful information below.
Before You Arrive
The Sea World Cruises chefs prepare fresh, light refreshments daily at our stunning waterfront Deck Café — the perfect place to start or finish your whale watching adventure. Enjoy toasted sandwiches, bacon & egg rolls, toasted croissants, muffins, fruit salad, cakes, and a variety of snacks and sweets. We also serve percolated Merlo coffee, a selection of teas, and a range of cold drinks. Please note, we are a cashless venue. and only accept card payments.
To help you enjoy your day in comfort, we recommend bringing:
- Flat, enclosed shoes
- A warm jacket (and a poncho if rain is forecast)
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes
- A hat for sun protection
- A camera to capture the magic and memories
Our cruises depart from from the Sea World Cruises Terminal, Main Beach. Located waterside in the Sea World carpark.
Address: Sea World, Sea World Drive, Main Beach, QLD, 4217
Free parking is available for Sea World Whale Watch guests. Take the Sea World theme park exit from Sea World Drive and park in any available space. The Sea World Cruises terminal is located waterside, next to the Sea World helicopter terminal. If looking at the Sea World front entrance, its located on the left hand side.
To help us get started on time, please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. This allows time for check-in and a smooth boarding process. Our whale watching tours typically run for about 2.5 hours. Please note that return times are approximate and the tour may be extended without notice if whales are difficult to locate.
We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before your scheduled cruise.
This allows plenty of time to get you settled onboard, as the boat will depart promptly at the scheduled time.
- Hopo Ferry stops directly at the Sea World Cruises terminal. Timetable
- Uber – search “Sea World Whale Watch”
- Public Transport – Local Bus Network (Kinetic)
The Sea World bus stop is just 200 metres from the Sea World Cruises terminal.
Tickets cost 50 cents and are payable onboard. Click here for more info - Route 704: Helensvale / Southport
- Route 705: Broadbeach / Surfers Paradise
- All Public transport – Journey Planner
- 13CABS – call to make a booking on (+617) 5588 1234.
Whale watching tours operate in the rain. Rain does not affect the whale’s behaviour, and the vessels have large covered decks for passenger comfort. On rainy days bringing a raincoat is recommended. Ponchos are available to purchase at check-in, subject to availability.
Whale watching takes place in the open ocean, and seasickness can affect anyone differently, even if you’ve been comfortable on boats before.
If you’re prone to motion sickness or concerned about seasickness, we recommend speaking with your pharmacist and arranging suitable medication before arriving for your cruise. Always follow the medication instructions, including when it should be taken.
Sea World Cruises does carry seasickness medication for purchase, however under the conditions of our medicines licence it can only be sold to passengers onboard the vessel. Depending on the medication, purchasing it after boarding may not allow enough time for it to take effect before we reach open water.
If you think you may be susceptible to motion sickness, please don’t rely on purchasing medication onboard. Prepare before you arrive. For more information on medication, risk factors and ways to reduce the effects of motion sickness, read our Seasickness Advice.
As part of our commitment towards marine conservation, a portion of every Dinner Cruise ticket goes towards the Sea World foundation.
The Sea World Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to understanding, protecting, and conserving the marine environment for future generations. Through research, rescue, and conservation efforts, the foundation supports independent marine research projects, helping to expand our knowledge and appreciation of the ocean’s incredible biodiversity.
By promoting conservation and education, the foundation raises public awareness of critical marine issues and enhances scientific understanding of how we can better preserve the marine environment.
As part of our commitment towards marine conservation, a portion of every Sea World Whale Watching ticket goes towards the Sea World foundation.
The Sea World Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to understanding, protecting, and conserving the marine environment for future generations. Through research, rescue, and conservation efforts, the foundation supports independent marine research projects, helping to expand our knowledge and appreciation of the ocean’s incredible biodiversity.
By promoting conservation and education, the foundation raises public awareness of critical marine issues and enhances scientific understanding of how we can better preserve the marine environment.
At Sea World Cruises, we are committed to providing experiences that are inclusive and accessible to families and people with a range of physical, sensory and intellectual abilities. Click here to access our accessibility guide. If you require more information, contact us on (07) 5539 9299
Conditions permitting, our crew will deploy underwater cameras and a hydrophone in an effort to capture live whale footage and the songs of humpback whales. Please note: whales are wild animals, and we cannot control their movements. Sightings on camera or sounds through the hydrophone are not guaranteed — it’s all part of the magic (and luck) of the day!
Download the Sea World Cruises app to get the most out of your journey.
- Access live underwater camera feeds
- Learn about humpback whales and local marine wildlife
- Unlock exclusive partner discounts
- Track your cruise in real time
Available now on iOS and Android.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, visit our manage your booking or our FAQ & contact page.