← Sunshine Coast Marathon·Day trip

Whale Watching from Mooloolaba: A Seated Morning at Sea

Two to three and a half hours on a large boat among humpback whales at the peak of their August migration, leaving from The Wharf Mooloolaba.

DurationDay trip
TransitA flat 2 km walk or short taxi from Alexandra Headland to The Wharf Mooloolaba
DepartsThe Wharf Mooloolaba

After the Sunshine Coast Marathon: Whale Watching from Mooloolaba

The Route: Alexandra Headland → The Wharf Mooloolaba → open water → The Wharf Mooloolaba Logistics: Walk or taxi to the wharf; boat trip out and back. Marathon Month: August Duration: Day trip

Alexandra Headland ──(about 2 km on foot or by taxi)──> The Wharf Mooloolaba ──(2–3.5 hrs by boat)──> open coast
                                                              ▲                                         │
                                                              └─────────────(return to the wharf)───────┘

The Sunshine Coast Marathon finishes at Buhk Family Park in Alexandra Headland, and the whale-watching boats leave a couple of kilometres south at The Wharf Mooloolaba. For the day after a marathon, this is close to the ideal outing: very little walking, a seat on the water and the best reason to be on this coast in August.

August on the Sunshine Coast: the heart of the whale season. Visit Sunshine Coast gives the season as June to November, with July and August usually bringing the greatest number of humpbacks on their northbound migration. Mornings are cool, around 12 to 13°C on the coast, and the sea can be lively when the wind is up, so check the forecast and take a warm layer for the deck.

Sunreef runs whale-watching trips from The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade, on Whale One, which it describes as the largest vessel of its kind on the Sunshine Coast. Trips last between two and three and a half hours on the water, depending on where the whales are. Sunreef guarantees a sighting: if no whales are seen, passengers can come back on another trip free of charge. Book online in advance; the company confirms departure by email and text the afternoon before, depending on sea conditions. Check current prices when booking.

On the Water

Whale One has indoor and outdoor seating, and food and drinks are available on board, so on post-marathon legs most of the trip can be spent sitting, with a short stand at the rail when whales surface. A swell makes standing harder, and sore legs tire quickly holding balance on a moving deck, so find a seat near the rail early and stay there.

Every trip is different. The whales set the pace, and the crew follows them rather than a fixed route.

Back on Land

The Wharf Mooloolaba has cafés and restaurants for lunch after the boat returns. From there, the Mooloolaba Esplanade leads north along the beach, flat and paved, back towards Alexandra Headland. Walk as much of it as the legs allow and take a taxi for the rest.