Australia's East and West Coast Waters – The Whale Highway
Every year around June and July, the ocean world's own "curious little ones" — dwarf minke whales — make their way north from Antarctica all the way to the Ribbon Reefs at the northern tip of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Board the luxurious ocean expedition vessel and explore the stunning Ribbon Coral Reefs while witnessing the Great Barrier Reef's annual dwarf minke whale migration.
Swimming with dolphins is old news — how about playing hide-and-seek with whales? Australia's Sunshine Coast now offers a swim-with-humpback-whale experience, giving guests the extraordinary chance to come face-to-face with humpback whales up close. This unforgettable encounter runs from July through to the end of whale season. Each outing lasts approximately 3 hours and is limited to 20 guests. Once a whale is spotted, the boat stops 100 m away, and after a safety assessment, the engine is cut. Guests then hold on to a floating line connected to the vessel and slip into the water to swim alongside the whale.
This is a 100% whale-led natural experience. Whales are incredibly curious creatures — they may swim toward us, or they may simply glide past. Based on experience, whales seem to regard us as part of their world, and they will often swim remarkably close.
Taiwan's east coast also offers whale-watching tours, but visitors can only admire the whales from the deck of a boat at a distance. Who would have imagined that in Australia, on the South Pacific, you can actually jump into the water and swim alongside wild whales? It's a truly extraordinary experience. Whale oil was once an essential commodity, which led to a dramatic decline in wild whale populations beginning in the 19th century. With the rise of the petroleum industry and growing conservation awareness, these beloved creatures have returned to our lives in a very different way. Does this spark something in you? Scroll down for more information on available activities!
Dive trips + swim-with-whale recommendations:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a BlueTrend dive trip different from an unknown, no-name dive group?
Choosing us means full peace-of-mind protection and a smooth experience from start to finish. Every trip we run holds to three things.
First, full legal protection and a professional dive leader: we strictly follow Taiwan's travel regulations and provide complete travel-agency liability insurance, travel insurance, trip-inconvenience insurance and dive insurance. Every group is accompanied by a certified, foreign-language dive leader who joins you on both the dives and the land itinerary, liaising seamlessly with local dive shops and operators on your behalf to keep things running smoothly — the person our travellers trust most.
Second, fully licensed with secure payments: every payment goes into a licensed travel agency's account, with multiple safe payment channels (bank transfer, credit card and more) and a legal collect-and-remit receipt, so every transaction is open, transparent and protected, avoiding the fraud and dispute risks of transferring money privately to an individual.
Third, hand-picked quality we vet in person: every trip, dive site and partner shop is scouted on the ground by our own team, from the guides' professionalism and safety standards to the food, lodging, environment and service details on land, all vetted by us so you don't get caught out.
I want to sign up for a dive trip. Are there certification-level or logged-dive requirements?
Each dive site is different, so the entry bar varies. 'Bali Tulamben', for instance, is relatively beginner-friendly. 'Malapascua in the Philippines' is also beginner-friendly, but since thresher sharks tend to cruise between 20 and 30 metres, we recommend AOW certification with 20+ logged dives to enjoy this trip comfortably. For 'the Maldives' or 'Palau', we suggest AOW with 50+ logged dives for a more relaxed experience. If you're not sure whether your experience fits the trip you want, message us and our dive editors will assess it and help you find the trip you'll feel safest on.
Can I join if I'm signing up alone? How are rooms arranged?
Plenty of our travellers sign up solo! For rooms and beds, we prioritise pairing you with a same-gender traveller, and if you'd rather have your own space you can pay the difference to upgrade to a single room. For the diving, our professional leader will pair you with a suitable buddy, and with the happy vibe on our trips you'll quickly make a great group of dive friends. Many people sign up alone, make new friends, and end up organising the next trip together!
Does the trip fee include dive insurance, gear rental, taxes and instructor tips?
It depends on the trip, the destination's regulations and the local operators. Every BlueTrend dive trip has a detailed web page with a clear 'included / not included' list, transparent and with no hidden charges. All payments are collected by a licensed travel agency, with a standard-form contract for your protection.
I'm a new diver / haven't dived in a long time — will I fall behind the group?
Before you complete your booking, our team assesses a suitable trip based on your certification level and experience. Before departure, we strongly recommend taking time to refresh in Taiwan with an instructor, or a fun dive to get your feel back. On the trip itself, our professional dive leader groups and pairs everyone by experience, keeps a close eye underwater on travellers who need extra care, and steps in to help right away.
Will the photos and videos taken during the trip be shared with us?
During the dives, 'safety' is always the leader's top priority, so whenever it's suitable and safe the leader will capture great shots and record the best moments. During or after the trip, we compile a cloud album for all travellers to download, so you go home loaded with memories!
Besides your scheduled trips, can you arrange a private group charter or independent travel for me and my friends?
Absolutely! Besides group trips, we also arrange private group charters and independent travel. We can communicate, enquire and coordinate services with local operators based on your needs, saving you time and effort and taking the language barrier off your plate, to tailor the smoothest, most reassuring dive trip just for you. Contact our LINE support and our editors will arrange it for you!
