As the years go by, the whales seem increasingly comfortable with the cruise vessels and often come so close you can almost reach out and touch them. Of course, tour operators adhere strictly to Department of Environment and Heritage guidelines, designed to protect the whales and keep them coming back to Hervey Bay year after year. Boat operators must not approach within lOOm of a whale and must not approach within 300m, if three or more other vessels are within 300m of that whale. Other marine life which can be sighted during a day's whale watching include dolphins, turtles, and occasionally dugong. Eighteen operators offer whale watching tours, all vessels depart from the Urangan Boat Harbour.
Some vessels have sound systems to enable passengers to hear the whales sing.
Some also offer educational videos on the journey to the Hervey Bay Marine Park, and have experienced crew to talk knowledgeably about these gentle creatures. Several companies also offer whale watching tours from the air, from Hervey Bay Airport, for three to five passengers.