Freedom III departs at 9:30am from Sandy Straits Marina, Buccaneer Road, Urangan and returns after 3:00pm each day from early July to early October. This is the peak season for whale-watching in Hervey Bay.

Cruise the sheltered waters of beautiful Hervey Bay to the Great Sandy Marine Park. The area is renowned as the playground for visiting humpback whales as they migrate south to the Antarctic waters. Expert commentary from your skipper will educate and inform you about the unique aspects of whale watching in Platypus Bay which is formed by Fraser Island and the mainland. Hervey Bay is world renowned and was the first location accredited by Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance.

Freedom Ecotours operate in an environmentally friendly way to ensure both the safety of our marine creatures as well as our guests. Please feel free to bring your reusable coffee cup for hot or cold drinks. We have a water filling station with fresh filtered water available all day. 

Morning tea, lunch and and afternoon tea platter of cheese and fruit is served through the day. Tea, coffee and filtered water is available all day and you are welcome to purchase other drinks and snacks from the bar. 

Several pods of whales will often be seen as well dolphins, turtles and sea birds. Fabulous views of K'Gari western beaches provide a wonderful background to your tour. 

Freedom III has

• 3 levels of viewing plus a water level platform for really close encounters
• Hydrophone for hearing the whale song
• Low passenger numbers
• Delicious food
• Locally owned and operated with friendly experienced crew
• Eco Accreditation through Ecotourism Australia

• Please Note:
• Child ages are 4-14years, Under 4 are infants
• Select seats on the bus as 'extras' and we will pick up from a Hervey Bay hotel and return you from Sandy Straits Marina - capacity 23 on the bus.

Contact us with any questions andrea@FreedomEcotours.com.au

Please see our other boat tour and charter options if you are travelling to Hervey Bay at other times of the year. We look forward to meeting you and sharing this beautiful part of the world with you.

Freedom is a fun and affordable venue for your next family gathering, corporate event or celebration. Relax aboard our comfortable 58ft catamaran, while the captain and crew sail you through the pristine waters of the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park and K'gari. Accommodating up to 48 guests, Freedom has spacious viewing decks on three levels, comfortable air-conditioned seating in the saloon, an excellent sound system, licensed bar and three toilets and showers. See our webpage for amazing reviews from hundreds of happy guests.

Off-peak banded pricing starts at just $400 per hour with a minimum three-hour booking. This includes captain and crew.  Additional hours can be booked as extras and we can optimise start and end times to take the tides into account.

Please call us to discuss our catering, which can be tailored to suit your budget. Options include freshly baked pizzas from the onboard pizza oven, cold seafood and charcuterie and cheese platters. Alternatively, you are welcome to organise your own catering and the galley kitchen, large fridge, freezer and esky make this very easy. Licensing restrictions do not allow BYO alcohol, but we are happy to stock your guests preferred alcoholic and soft drink options in our licensed bar.

Customer service is an important part of our training and ethos. We will do our very best to accommodate any special requests. This might be helping to put up chosen decorations or playing the 'embarrassing' birthday video and you can tailor your soundscape for the trip by bluetoothing your own playlist or booking a small band or DJ.

Entertainment extras include stopping for a swim and snorkel, beach time and using the boom net to splash about in. Additional crew will be required to supervise these activities.

All captains are fully qualified and experienced. This includes Mark Cooper, owner-operator, who has many years of experience as a captain for fun as well as commercially. He sailed a catamaran from Tahiti and down the East Coast of Australia. He has captained delivery of Sydney to Hobart yachts, and he was on the helm for three exciting Sydney to Hobart races. He has also participated in the gruelling Clipper Round the World yacht race. Safety is his highest priority and during his time as a  skipper for NSW Marine Rescue for the last three years and crew for a further five years, he has rescued many boats and saved lives on the water. 

See separate listing for peak season chartering options - your own private whale-watching experience from mid-July to mid-October!

Book Freedom today!

Our premium offering - charter the whole boat for your own, personal whale-watching experience and you choose who you share it with! Make memories with family and friends - fill it to the max (47) or keep it to a select few. Luxury either way. 

Freedom is a fun and affordable venue for your next family gathering, corporate event or celebration. Relax aboard our comfortable 58ft catamaran, while the captain and crew sail you through the pristine waters of the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park and K'gari during the whale-watching season. Whales frequently approach the boat and they are inquisitive - spyhopping, breaching and pec slapping - the mums and babies are so lovely to watch together. Accommodating up to 47 guests, Freedom has spacious viewing decks on three levels, comfortable air-conditioned seating in the saloon, an excellent sound system, licensed bar and three toilets and showers. See our webpage for amazing reviews from hundreds of happy guests.

Peak banded pricing starts at $1830 per hour with a minimum three-hour booking. This includes captain and crew.  Additional hours can be booked as extras and we can optimise start and end times to take the tides into account. With 47 passengers, this rate is cheaper than if you all booked a ticket on a public charter!

Please call us to discuss our catering, which can be tailored to suit your budget. Options include freshly baked pizzas from the onboard pizza oven, cold seafood and charcuterie and cheese platters. Alternatively, you are welcome to organise your own catering and the galley kitchen, large fridge, freezer and esky make this very easy. Licensing restrictions do not allow BYO alcohol, but we are happy to stock your guests preferred alcoholic and soft drink options in our licensed bar.

Customer service is an important part of our training and ethos. We will do our very best to accommodate any special requests.

All captains are fully qualified and experienced. This includes Mark Cooper, owner-operator, who has many years of experience as a captain for fun as well as commercially. He sailed a catamaran from Tahiti and down the East Coast of Australia. He has captained delivery of Sydney to Hobart yachts, and he was on the helm for three exciting Sydney to Hobart races. He has also participated in the gruelling Clipper Round the World yacht race. Safety is his highest priority and during his time as a  skipper for NSW Marine Rescue for the last three years and crew for a further five years, he has rescued many boats and saved lives on the water. 

See separate listing for off peak season chartering options from mid-July to mid-October which can include swimming, snorkelling and boom-netting - humans not fish!

Book Freedom today!