Swim with Whales in Jervis Bay
Humpback whales, up close and personal in Jervis Bay Marine Park. Eye contact in deep blue water. Songs through the hydrophone. Wild encounters that happen on the whale’s terms, led by locals who know how to read these waters.
Every year from May to November, tens of thousands of humpback whales pass through the waters off Jervis Bay on one of the longest migrations on Earth. For a few extraordinary months between June and the end of October, you can be in the water with them.
This is a permitted, in-water encounter with the largest animals on the planet — guided by people who know these waters, respect these animals, and have spent years earning the right to offer this experience.
We did not earn this permit by accident. It reflects over a decade of operating responsibly in Jervis Bay Marine Park, our affiliation with ORRCA — the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia — and a genuine, documented commitment to the welfare of the animals in these waters.
When you book a whale swim with us, you are booking with the operator that earned the right to offer it.
Some fine print
* no guarantees
There are no wildlife guarantees, as we are working with nature—weather conditions and animal movements can vary
While whales are curious by nature, and it’s an undeniable privilege to witness these gentle giants up close and in the water, an interaction cannot be forced or guaranteed. It’s of the utmost importance to remain respectful at all times, allowing the animals to interact with us on their terms.
This can be a physically strenuous activity. It may involve swimming distances of up to 200 metres (with a mask, snorkel and fins), with over 100 metres of water below. For your safety, you must be a confident and comfortable swimmer with snorkelling experience — and able to swim 200 metres unassisted.
You must agree to follow all instructions and regulations stipulated by us and Marine parks.
A positive attitude and willingness to put yourself out of your comfort zone is a must. As the saying goes, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” Even if you don’t see a whale on your tour, we know you’ll have a great time on the ocean … in great company!
A bit about us
At Woebegone Dive we pride ourselves on setting a new standard for the dive industry. We run sustainable, zero waste & plant based tours that aim at bettering the Jervis Bay Marine Park. Our tours are educational, they give back to the local community and most importantly put our marine life first.
We are real conservationists and fierce wildlife advocates with over a decade of experience in the Dive Industry, we’ve gathered a lifetime of knowledge and experience of Jervis Bay and surrounds. We’re the number one local dive operator of choice and actively participate in community events such as our monthly beach cleanups.
This experience is conducted with the full consideration of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Under the NSW Department of Primary Industries Permit number MEAA20/204.
What's included
- In-Water Guide: Our expert guides will accompany you during your swim, ensuring a safe and enjoyable encounter with these beautiful creatures.
- Hydrophone: Tune into “whale radio” and live stream whale sounds while waiting between dives.
- Delicious Morning Tea: Keep your energy levels up with our homemade morning tea, catering to both vegan and gluten-free diets.
- Additional marine wildlife encounters: Our whale swim season overlaps with the seasonal presence of Australian and New Zealand fur seals, as well as year-round resident and visiting common and bottlenose dolphins, offering opportunities to observe these incredible marine mammals in their natural environment. Sightings are dependent on wildlife activity and ocean conditions.
- Creek cruise & Bird watching: enjoy a creek cruise to start and finish your expedition the perfect opportunity to bird watch.
- Complimentary Gear: Stay warm and dry with our complimentary waterproof jackets, available for use throughout the tour.
- Sightseeing Opportunities: Apart from marine life, our tour includes sightseeing opportunities to stunning waterfalls and sea caves in the area.
- Educational Insights: Learn about the whales' behaviours, the Great Southern Reef and the natural history of Jervis Bay.
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen: To protect our delicate ocean ecosystems, we provide reef-safe sunscreen for all our guests.
What to bring
•Warm clothes
•Towel
•Hat
•Swimmers
•Water bottle
•Dive equipment (if you are using your own). We recommend at least a 5mm wetsuit and hood during the whale season. Our hire suits are 8mm so please rent ours if yours is not thick enough.
•Seasickness tablets: We highly recommend taking some if you are unsure, as motion sickness will ruin your day.
•Your own action camera or similar. We also film the expedition and can provide a WeTransfer link with the footage for $50.