Best time to travel to Great Barrier Reef

Humpback Dolphin in Great Barrier Reef

Get a first-hand experience watching humpback dolphins–one of your most memorable moments at the Great Barrier Reef

Best time: June–November

Humpback Dolphin

The Great Barrier Reef is a perfect place to catch some beautiful scenery and season it with the most unforgettable experience watching world's most amazing creatures. Australia's Humpback dolphin is an inshore species that makes it far easier to take a glimpse of. The area offers a few tours that will help you take a look at them about 20 km offshore. As for the very best location for spotting the dolphins near the Great Barrier Reef see Moreton Bay, Townsville-Hinchinbrook, Bathurst Bay, Weipa and Mornington Island. Don't hesitate to undertake a journey along the Great Barrier Reef coast and re-wild to the full!

Practical info

When can humpback dolphins be seen in the Great Barrier Reef and what makes sightings more frequent during this time?

Humpback dolphins can be seen in the Great Barrier Reef from June to November when they migrate to the area during their peak breeding and calving season. Spotting humpback dolphins is more frequent during this time. The warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef offer a suitable habitat for these dolphins. Show more

What are the locations near the Great Barrier Reef where humpback dolphins can be spotted, and why are these areas known for high numbers of sightings?

Moreton Bay, Townsville-Hinchinbrook, Bathurst Bay, Weipa and Mornington Island are the recommended locations near the Great Barrier Reef where humpback dolphins can be spotted. These areas are known for high numbers of sightings due to their proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and the dolphins' preference for warm, shallow waters during their breeding and calving season. Show more

What should you keep in mind while booking a tour to see humpback dolphins at the Great Barrier Reef, and where can you book these tours?

Tourists looking to see humpback dolphins at the Great Barrier Reef should book their trips in advance and select responsible and sustainable tour operators that follow guidelines to minimize disturbance to the dolphins. Few tour operators offer dolphin watching excursions to the Great Barrier Reef. Interested individuals can look up recommended tour operators online or ask for recommendations from resort or hotel staff. Show more

What are some notable differences between humpback dolphins and other species of dolphins, and what is one of their unique feeding styles?

Humpback dolphins are smaller compared to other species of dolphins, have a more rounded melon and a shorter beak. They have a distinct hump on their back just below the dorsal fin that distinguishes them from bottlenose dolphins. Humpback dolphins are known for their unusual feeding style that involves swimming on their side to catch prey. This feeding style is quite distinct and is not observed in other species of dolphins. Show more

What conservation measures are in place to protect humpback dolphins at the Great Barrier Reef?

In Australia, humpback dolphins are classified as 'vulnerable' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The government has implemented management plans to reduce threats like habitat loss and bycatch in fishing gear to their population. Conservationists also carry out initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the plight of humpback dolphins among tourists and the general public. Show more

Ask a question

Find hotels and airbnbs near Humpback Dolphin (Map)

Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin