Whales can be seen around Byron Bay any time between May and November, but you’ll have better luck during some months.

• May – occasional sightings of adults swimming north, can be far offshore
• June – frequent sightings and breaching, whale watching tours start
• July – peak whale watching season, lots of high-energy surface action like breaching and tail slapping
• August – mothers and calves swimming south closer to shore, great for kayaking with whales
• September – peak month for southern migration, lots of young playful calves close to shore
• October – consistent numbers and sightings
• November – end of the season, a few late whales to be spotted

Absolutely! As the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, the Cape Byron Lighthouse is one of the best vantage points for whale watching.

Whale watching tours last two to three hours.

Most operators offer a whale sighting guarantee, so if you don’t see any they will give you a free voucher for another cruise. You will generally need to use it within the same year.

The only operator in Byron that is officially eco-certified is Cape Byron Kayaks and they run whale kayaking tours during the season. Other tours all have a strong commitment to ecotourism, conservation and animal welfare. Even if they are not officially eco-certified, all operators have to abide by strict regulations that ensure the safety and comfort of the whales. They must stay at least 100 metres away from a whale or 300 metres from a whale with a calf, though whales can pop up closer if they choose.