Byron Bay Whale Watching

Between 1950 and 1962, nearly 12,500 Humpback Whales were killed and processed at whaling stations along the east coast including at Byron Bay. A jetty stretching three quarters of a mile out into the bay at Byron was a feature of the landscape for 85 years.

In 1960 and 1961, illegal hunting by Russian whaling ships in waters south of Australia and New Zealand took around 24,000 whales and wiped out this population. Over-exploitation eventually led to the demise of the whaling industry in Australia. By the mid 1960s, there were no more whales to catch.

Humpback Whales were hunted nearly to the brink of extinction with only 200 whales left in this population. A ban on hunting humpbacks came in 1963, and they were protected worldwide in 1965 after recognition of a dramatic global decline in numbers.

Commercial whaling in Australia ended altogether in 1978 with the closure of the last whaling station in Western Australia. In 1979, Australia adopted an anti-whaling policy, permanently ending whaling in Australian waters and started to focus heavily on working towards the international protection and conservation of whales.

40 years ago, people believed the only way their children would see a humpback whale was from a page of the National Geographic magazine. Thanks to those who fought for the protection of this (nearly extinct) species and dedicated decades of funding and research, this is not how the story unfolded.

Nowadays, there are around 25,000 Humpback Whales in this population that migrates up Australia’s east coast. This is the healthiest it’s been since they were hunted nearly to extinction. It’s an inspiring comeback story confirming change is possible with hope, perseverance, and commitment. Change may take time, but this tale proves positive change can happen over a lifetime.

Enjoy close encounters aboard our Whale Watching Byron Bay to Ballina Cruise. We hope a close encounter aboard Out Of The Blue leaves you feeling empowered to protect the environment and its beloved creatures.

There are so many things that nature has to offer and you are well aware of this, being someone who loves and respects the environment. In the case of wildlife attractions (such as zoos), sometimes it’s difficult not to question whether they’re allowing nature to thrive as it should. As much as you want to enjoy these places, it can be difficult to when you think about it like this.

Fortunately, there are ways you can enjoy wildlife at its optimum without interfering with it. Consider whale watching in Byron Bay with Out Of The Blue Adventures.

Located in Ballina, our boarding zone, we offer first class Byron Bay whale watching tours and river cruises aboard our state-of-the-art eco vessel. This vessel was designed for whale watching and provides a 360-degree viewpoint.

Go ahead and book a day in Byron Bay whale watching. Not only will you experience amazing whale sightings that are incredibly photogenic, you will also enjoy some delicious homemade food and talks with a qualified marine biologist who has extensive knowledge of the whales and area.

If you love nature, wildlife and learning everything there is to learn about them, then our whale watching tours in Byron will be the perfect option. As you take in the fresh air in beautiful Byron Bay and mingle with like-minded people over the tastiest of food and drink, you’ll learn about marine life, its ecosystem and the vulnerable species that we are passionate about supporting and protecting through research.

Being a nature lover, you’ll not only find your experience incredible but will appreciate knowing that you’re supporting the lives and stability of whales, dolphins and their ocean habitats. That’s because we directly help the wildlife by sponsoring many research projects, such as those by Dolphin Research Australia, Healthy Waterways-Healthy Dolphins Project, and taking part in the Dolphin Watchers Program and more.

We believe in making our whale watching cruises in Byron worthwhile. Once on our comfortable, full-view eco vessel, we’ll depart from Ballina’s Richmond River where we’ll enter the sparkling clear waters of Cape Byron Marine Park.

It won’t take long for you to catch a view of our breathtaking humpback whales, free to enjoy their natural habitat. Along with this, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful scenery and the song of whales, detected using our specialised underwater hydrophone.

Just when you think nothing can surpass this, you’ll get to hear from our friendly marine biologist, gaining in-depth knowledge on the humpback whales in the area and the memorable encounters we’ve had. You’ll walk away feeling more connected to marine wildlife and with a higher appreciation for them. This certainly will not be your last whale watching experience with us. Contact us today to cruise the ocean with us.