Byron Bay cruises begin with the water, and there is plenty of it. Cape Byron, the easternmost point of mainland Australia, sits right beside the town, and warm and cool currents meet off the coast.
This page covers the waters the area is known for, the whale season, the weather month by month and the listed tours that put you closest to the sea.
The waters around Byron Bay
Cape Byron and the bay
Lieutenant James Cook found safe anchorage here in 1770 and named Cape Byron after Vice Admiral John Byron, known as Foul-Weather Jack. Strictly speaking, geologists call the bay a bight, because the curve from Cape Byron to Hastings Point is less than 25 degrees. It does not change the view.
The bay was once a significant but hazardous sea port. The first jetty was built in 1886, and 16 shipwrecks are known in the bay and surrounding waters. The most famous is the Wollongbar, which sank off the eastern end of Belongil beach. It rests about 150 metres from the coast and can still be seen above water at low tide.
Julian Rocks and the marine park
Julian Rocks lies 2.5 kilometres from the town and is part of the Cape Byron Marine Park. Temperate and tropical waters merge here, which makes it a popular place for scuba diving and snorkelling. Most local diving happens at this spot. For the Bundjalung Nation custodians, Julian Rocks is where Nguthungulli, who created the land and people, rests.
Whale watching season
Whale watching is a significant contributor to the local economy. Humpback whales migrate along this coast from June to November, and the 3.7-kilometre Cape Byron walking trail, about two hours for the loop, is a good place to keep watch from dry land.
Whaling at Byron Bay continued until 1963, so the shift to watching rather than hunting is a recent one. It is a thought worth carrying onto the headland.
Weather for time on the water
Byron Bay has a humid subtropical climate. Because it sits on an ocean-facing cape, it catches moist easterly flows, and annual rainfall is above 1,500 mm, higher than Brisbane or the Gold Coast. The 1991 to 2020 averages for the area are below.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.8 | 21.4 | 136.9 | 13.8 |
| February | 26.4 | 21.3 | 135.4 | 13.8 |
| March | 25.3 | 20.2 | 128.4 | 15.9 |
| April | 23.2 | 17.8 | 84.3 | 13.4 |
| May | 20.8 | 15.1 | 93.5 | 11.2 |
| June | 18.8 | 13.0 | 103.9 | 9.6 |
| July | 18.5 | 11.8 | 54.7 | 7.2 |
| August | 19.8 | 12.3 | 50.7 | 6.2 |
| September | 22.0 | 14.5 | 39.6 | 6.8 |
| October | 23.4 | 16.6 | 73.9 | 9.4 |
| November | 24.9 | 18.5 | 100.6 | 11.1 |
| December | 26.2 | 20.2 | 112.1 | 12.7 |
September is the driest month and August the sunniest, with about 30 sunny days. That overlaps the humpback season, so winter to early spring looks the sensible window for whales.
Listed tours that get you near the water
Surfing is the closest thing we list to time in the sea. The small-group surfing lessons run for 2 hours from $89. The private surf lesson is also 2 hours, from $290, and the instructor picks the break to suit swell and wind; ten breaks are within reach. Longboard surfers first used The Pass, Wategos and Cosy Corner in the 1960s.
For something different, the glow worm tunnel evening tour is a 3-hour e-bike ride through a 500-metre limestone tunnel, from $125. The brewery and distillery tour takes 6 hours 30 minutes, from $229, and includes lunch and transfers.
A longer option is the six-day surfing and camping tour, from $1,245, with groups of up to nine. Please check current prices and times with the operator before booking.
Staying near the coast
If you want to base yourself close to the water, Discovery Parks - Byron Bay has powered sites and cabins. Other options are on our Byron Bay accommodation page.
For current boat operators, the official state tourism site Visit NSW is a sensible start. Background on the town is at Wikipedia: Byron Bay.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see whales near Byron Bay?
Humpback whales migrate along the coast from June to November. The Cape Byron walking trail is a good lookout.
Where do people dive and snorkel?
Most diving is at Julian Rocks, 2.5 kilometres from town and part of the Cape Byron Marine Park.
Which listed tours involve the sea?
The surf lessons, both small-group and private, are the closest. Private lessons use one of ten breaks within reach, chosen to suit swell and wind.
