There’s nothing like seeing whales swimming and playing, breaching and nurturing their young in the clear, warm waters of Moreton Bay. It creates a sense of joy and wonder, along with a fierce desire to protect these beautiful creatures.
Brisbane Whale Watching’s environmental policy, governed by our Environmental Management Plan, commits us to:
What causes the biggest environmental impact when whale watching? The boat you choose to go on. That’s what sets Brisbane Whale Watching apart from our competitors.
Captain Kerry realised that fact over 20 years ago. And so she invested millions into the creation of a custom-built catamaran – the Eye-Spy – that would have a minimal environmental impact.
Highly advanced fuel control engines designed to minimise fuel consumption when idling beside the whales for long periods
Able to avoid disturbing noise changes because our fantastic panoramic viewing decks minimise the need to manoeuvre the boat
Engines decoupled from the hull using flexible mounts to reduce underwater noise and vibration
The Eye-Spy is also a very large boat. That’s a good thing! It means we can welcome a large number of guests on board for the same journey. Unlike our competitors, we don’t have to run numerous small vessels again and again throughout the day.
Instead, we bring you all aboard a luxurious, spacious, purpose-built boat for a stunning experience with minimal environmental impact.
Having invested in the right boat, we also ensure that we use it appropriately. That includes:
Travelling at a slow speed of less than 6 knots
Not creating a wake within caution zones
Not entering no-approach zones
Shutting down engines, disengaging gears or withdrawing from the no-approach zone if the whales approach us
Gently withdrawing from the caution zone if a marine mammal shows signs of disturbance
Maintaining the 3-boat rule
Before starting work (and again before every season) our whole staff engages in mandatory environmental training.
Environmental characteristics of the tour
Minimising potential environmental impacts
Responding to potential environmental emergencies (grounding or collisions)
In 2021, we identified that our biggest onboard wastage came from the lunch buffet. It came wrapped in plastic and there was always a significant amount of leftover food since it was difficult to judge how much food to order on any given day.
To improve our sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint, we replaced our buffet lunch with individual picnic lunchboxes which have been a massive hit with passengers as it also gives the flexibility to enjoy their lunch at their leisure.
We go above and beyond to promote sustainability. That includes:
Brisbane Whale Watching is the only whale-watching venture departing from the main land permitted to operate in Moreton Bay Marine Park and one of only three commercial businesses allowed to do so. As such, we take this responsibility incredibly seriously and go above and beyond to ensure that we not only do our part for the environment and Moreton Bay but to educate and promote awareness and sustainable practices for our passengers and guests.
We are committed to ensuring that our tour is undertaken in a manner that exceeds all environmental and regulatory requirements and best practices.
Brisbane Whale Watching acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their unique cultural and spiritual relationship to land, water, and seas and their rich contribution to society.