Commercial whale watching
Commercial whale watching in Great Sandy Marine Park is regulated under the Marine Parks Regulation 2017 (regulation). Under the regulation, there is a limit of 20 commercial whale watching programs permitted in Great Sandy Marine Park. In March 2019, commercial whale watching in Great Sandy Marine Park was declared a Prescribed Commercial Activity . This means that commercial whale watching can only be authorised under a Commercial Activity Agreement (CAA).
The Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation is currently conducting an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to seek suitable commercial operators to offer commercial whale watching in Great Sandy Marine Park. Multiple operators may be considered suitable based on experience and capability.
To submit an EOI, visit the QTenders website and complete the application form.
Interested applicants will need to register or sign in to a QTenders user account to access the EOI document and make a submission.
The EOI closes at 11:59pm (EST) on Tuesday 7 May 2024.
For more information, contact us by emailing WhaleWatchingEOI@des.qld.gov.au
Whale watching guidelines and distances remain unchanged.