On the Bay Animal Encounters

Escape Brisbane city for a day of Moreton Bay wildlife spotting basking in the sun and sea spray.

Moreton Bay Marine Park is one of the largest and most unique estuarine bays in Australia, home to a variety of both tropical and temperate Moreton Bay marine animals such as turtles, wobbegong sharks, stingrays, manta ray, gropers, tropical and reef fish, bottlenose dolphins, dugongs, and whales (during humpback migration season).

Dugongs in the Moreton Bay Marine Park

Dugongs are an import part of the Moreton Bay marine life, the world’s only fully vegetarian marine mammal and the only sea cow in Australian waters. Australian dugong habitats span from Shark Bay in Western Australia to our own Moreton Bay and also extend to north Queensland. It is believed there are 80,000 dugongs in Australian waters with approximately 14 000 off the coast of Queensland.

Dugongs are considered 'threatened' and are protected in the waters of Moreton Bay.

Looking for a dugong spotting experience?

LEARN MORE ABOUT DUGONGS >

Humpback Whales

When the winter chill starts to merge on the southern hemisphere, over 25,000 humpback whales will make their way up the eastern coast of Australian in search for warmer waters. Making the annual migration all the way from Antarctica, each pod will follow the same path their entire life as they head north to breed.

Whale season usually kicks off around June and ends in October.

Whale Watching Tours in the Moreton Bay Region

LEARN MORE ABOUT HUMPBACK WHALES >

Beauty of Nature

Check out some of our 🐳 sightings from this week on the Eye Spy. 👍 Like and share to go in the competition to win a FREE whale watching voucher. Tag a friend (or two) to show them that nature truly is an inspiring thing 🐋.Still thinking about what to get Dad 🎁 this Fathers day? Maybe we can help www.brisbanewhalewatching.com.au#BrisbaneWhaleWatching #ThisWeeksWhales

Posted by Brisbane Whale Watching on Thursday, 31 August 2017

Fishing in the Moreton Bay Marine Park

Moreton Bay Marine Park is a fishing enthusiasts paradise, perfect for throwing a line in, but before you venture out into our pristine waters on the hunt for the next ‘big one’, avoid a nasty fine by familiarising yourself with zoning restrictions, and the boating & fishing Moreton Bay guidelines.

Before hitting the water you should refer to the Moreton Bay Marine Park User Guide. If you need more detailed info check the Moreton Bay Zoning Plan 2008.

Places to hire a boat and fishing gear

LEARN MORE ABOUT FISHING IN MORETON BAY >

Dad’s holding it but Chelsea caught it! This 68cm beauty went back in the water; Matt and family had a great afternoon fishing near Banksia Beach, using soldier crabs for bait.

Posted by Bribie Island Boat Charters on Saturday, 28 December 2019

Pumicestone Passage

Pumicestone Passage, the channel which separates Bribie Island from the mainland, is part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and acts as a rich habitat for a diversity of bird and marine life. The passage and the bay offer great opportunities for marine life spotting, including dolphins, dugongs and migratory birds.

From its northern mouth opening into the ocean off the Caloundra coastline, to its southern end filtering into Deception Bay - Pumicestone Passage is a 35 kilometre ecological marvel and a waterway wonderland of fun.

Get out on the water!

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUMICESTONE PASSAGE >

Dolphins catching bait fish 😊

Posted by Ferryman Cruises, Bribie Island on Sunday, 2 June 2019

Snorkeling at the Wrecks

Watch the video below from our local Marine Biologist, Mat Davis from Coastal Protection Core as he talks about the importance of the Wrecks at Moreton Island.

Book your snorkeling experience

Inspiring Future - Moreton Island Tangalooma Wrecks

First-class tourist destination Tangalooma Wrecks. Why are they there?

Posted by Coastal Protection Core on Wednesday, 5 December 2018

With so many ways to explore Moreton Bay Marine Park why not give yourself more time to spy Moreton Bay marine animals by treating yourself to a Moreton Bay beach escape for a relaxed holiday or mini-break on Bribie Island or in Redcliffe.

Other wildlife encounters in the Moreton Bay Region

Fishing in the Moreton Bay Region

Moreton Bay Marine Life - The Dugong

Platypus Encounters in the Moreton Bay Region

Toorbul Bird Roost | Toorbul

Hashtag your animal encounters near Brisbane on Insta #visitmoretonbayregion or tag us @visitmoretonbayregion on Facebook!

Looking for more things to do and see? Pop into one of the region's Accredited Visitor Information Centres, the volunteers have a wealth of local knowledge.

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Acknowledgement of Country - We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of the Moreton Bay Region, the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi, Jinibara, and Turrbal people and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise the ongoing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to this land and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original custodians of this land.