Best Whale-Watching Spots Around Byron Bay & My Drone Tips
Scott Robert | Ballina, NSW
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales make their way past the coastline of Byron Bay on their annual migration. It's one of my favourite times of year, and living on the Northern Rivers means I'm lucky enough to spend a lot of time along this stretch of coast watching and photographing these incredible animals.
While Byron Bay is famous for its beaches and lighthouse, it's also one of the best places in Australia to witness humpback whales from land. You don't need to book a boat tour or venture out into the ocean. Sometimes, all it takes is finding a good headland, sitting down and watching the horizon.
As a drone photographer specialising in whales and marine wildlife, I've spent countless hours exploring the coastline from Byron Bay to Lennox Head and beyond.
In this guide, I'll share some of the best places to watch whales around Byron Bay, when you're most likely to see them, and what you need to know if you're planning to bring a drone.
When is whale-watching season in Byron Bay?
Whale-watching season in Byron Bay generally runs from May to November, when humpback whales migrate along Australia's east coast.
The migration happens in two main stages.
May to July — Northern migration
Humpback whales travel north from their Antarctic feeding grounds towards the warmer waters of Queensland, where they breed and give birth.
During these months, you'll often see whales travelling north, sometimes breaching or slapping their enormous pectoral fins against the surface.
August to November — Southern migration
This is my favourite part of the season.
Whales begin returning south towards Antarctica, and many mothers make the journey with their newborn calves.
Mother-and-calf pairs can sometimes be spotted relatively close to the coastline, providing wonderful opportunities to observe their behaviour from land.
September and October are particularly good months to spend time whale watching around Byron Bay. Visit New South Wales
1. Cape Byron Lighthouse — The iconic whale-watching spot
If you're visiting Byron Bay specifically to see whales, Cape Byron Lighthouse is the obvious place to start.
Sitting at the easternmost point of mainland Australia, the lighthouse offers panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean.
During whale season, it's not unusual to see people gathered along the headland with binoculars and cameras, scanning the ocean for the telltale signs of a passing humpback.
Look for a sudden burst of white spray above the water. That's often the first indication of a whale surfacing to breathe.
If you're lucky, you might witness a breach, where a humpback launches its enormous body out of the water.
The lighthouse is also a great place to watch whales travelling around the headland, giving you views towards both the northern and southern stretches of coastline.
My tip: Bring binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens. Whales can be much farther offshore than they initially appear.
Drone restrictions: Cape Byron Lighthouse is within Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. You cannot simply launch your drone here without the required approval.
2. The Pass and Fishermans Lookout — Whale watching with ocean views
The Pass is one of Byron Bay's most recognisable beaches, famous for its surf and beautiful coastal scenery.
However, it can also be a great location to spot migrating whales.
Fishermans Lookout, situated on the rocky headland overlooking The Pass, provides elevated views across the bay.
It's particularly enjoyable during the southern migration when whales travel along the coastline with their calves.
You might also spot dolphins moving through the surf below.
Even when there aren't whales around, it's a beautiful place to spend time watching the ocean.
Drone restrictions: The Pass and its surrounding headland are part of the Cape Byron conservation area. NPWS approval is required for drone operations within the reserve. NSW National Parks
3. Broken Head — A quieter alternative to Byron Bay
Just south of Byron Bay, Broken Head is another spectacular location for whale watching.
The coastline here is characterised by rocky headlands, coastal rainforest and beautiful stretches of beach.
The elevated viewing areas provide opportunities to watch whales as they travel past the headland.
It's a particularly appealing option if you want to escape some of the crowds around Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Broken Head picnic area is also recognised by NSW National Parks as a whale-watching location.
Drone restrictions: Broken Head Nature Reserve is managed by NPWS, so drone operations within the reserve require approval.
4. Lennox Head — One of my favourite coastal lookouts
About 20 minutes south of Byron Bay, Lennox Head offers some spectacular whale-watching opportunities.
Pat Morton Lookout overlooks Seven Mile Beach and provides expansive views along the coastline.
It's one of those places where you can sit for an hour and simply watch the ocean.
During the migration, humpback whales can be seen passing the headland, sometimes relatively close to shore.
Rocky Point is another well-known viewing location in Lennox Head.
I particularly enjoy watching whales in this area because of the open coastline and the opportunity to observe animals travelling in both directions during different stages of the migration.
If you're bringing a drone, don't assume the entire Lennox Head coastline is unrestricted. Check the exact launch location, local land-management rules and airspace conditions before flying.
5. Hastings Point — My favourite location for drone whale photography
North of Byron Bay, Hastings Point is one of my personal favourite places to visit during whale season.
It's somewhere I regularly enjoy spending time with my drone, watching the ocean and looking for migrating whales.
Hastings Point has a beautiful rocky headland overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with expansive views up and down the coastline.
Unlike the protected reserves around Cape Byron and Broken Head, I look for suitable launch spots around Hastings Point after checking the exact land boundary and land-manager permissions.
There's also no major airport immediately beside the headland, although this doesn't automatically mean the airspace is unrestricted.
Another advantage is that, depending on the time of day and how busy the area is, it can be easier to find a suitable operating position away from other people.
Under CASA's standard drone rules, pilots must maintain at least 30 metres of horizontal separation from people who aren't involved in the operation, and they must never fly directly over people.
I always consider this when choosing somewhere to launch.
For me, Hastings Point combines excellent coastal scenery with the possibility of finding a quieter operating location, provided all the relevant permissions and flight restrictions have been checked.
It's also a fantastic location for people who don't own drones. The headland provides sweeping views across the ocean, making it a wonderful place to sit and watch the migration.
My tip: If you're interested in photographing whales, patience is far more valuable than constantly moving between locations. Find somewhere with a clear view, watch for blows and breaches, and give yourself time.
6. Brunswick Heads — A peaceful spot to watch the migration
Brunswick Heads is another lovely place to spend a morning looking for whales.
Located just north of Byron Bay, it offers long stretches of coastline and several opportunities to watch the ocean.
North Head walking track, within Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, is recognised by NSW National Parks as a whale-watching location.
It's worth bringing binoculars and allowing plenty of time. Whale watching is never guaranteed, but that's part of what makes an unexpected sighting so memorable.
Drone restrictions: Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve is managed by NPWS. Drone operations from within the reserve require approval. Other nearby locations may have different rules, so check the precise location before launching.
Can you fly a drone to photograph whales in Byron Bay?
As someone who regularly films marine wildlife using my DJI Mavic 4 Pro, one of the questions I often hear is whether you're allowed to fly drones around whales.
The answer is yes, but there are important restrictions designed to protect marine wildlife and keep other people safe.
Australia's drone laws are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), while NSW has additional rules protecting whales and dolphins.
Flying drones in national parks
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you can fly a drone anywhere along the coastline provided there isn't an airport nearby.
Unfortunately, that's not the case.
In NSW, you need approval from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to launch, land or operate a drone from within a national park or NPWS-managed reserve.
Around Byron Bay, these protected areas include:
Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, including the lighthouse and The Pass.
Broken Head Nature Reserve.
Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve.
This is why it's so important to check the land you're standing on before launching your drone.
Some locations that appear to be ordinary beaches or coastal headlands are actually part of protected reserves.
Even launching from outside a national park doesn't automatically give you permission to fly across it.
If you want to operate within one of these protected areas, you must obtain the relevant approval beforehand.
You can read the official regulations on the NSW National Parks website or use the OK2FLY app like i do to see if you can launch from a particular place
How close can a drone get to a whale?
Under NSW marine mammal protection laws, drones must maintain a minimum separation of 100 metres vertically and horizontally from whales and other marine mammals.
This means you cannot fly closer than 100 metres horizontally to a whale at low altitude, even if you're operating over the ocean.
When observing marine mammals from the air, approach from behind, do not hover over them and do not land on the water to observe them.
Predominantly white whales, such as rare white humpbacks, are subject to a stricter 500-metre approach distance.
It's equally important to pay attention to an animal's behaviour. If a whale appears disturbed by your presence, increase your distance.
Whales should always be given space to travel, rest and interact naturally without interference.
You can find the full regulations in the NSW Government's marine mammal approach guidelines.
Staying away from people
CASA also requires drone pilots to maintain a minimum horizontal separation of 30 metres from people who aren't involved in the operation.
You must never fly directly over people under standard operating rules.
This is particularly important around Byron Bay, where beaches and headlands can become extremely busy.
It's one reason I personally enjoy exploring quieter stretches of coastline.
At Hastings Point, for example, I can sometimes find a suitable location with enough space to operate without getting close to other visitors.
However, conditions change, and you should always reassess your surroundings before taking off.
What about airports?
Before flying anywhere along the coast, I recommend checking a CASA-verified drone safety app, using the current CASA list.
These apps help identify airspace restrictions associated with nearby airports and other aviation activity.
This matters particularly around Ballina and Lennox Head. Ballina Byron Gateway Airport's surrounding airspace changed when air traffic control services commenced on 9 July 2026, introducing controlled Class D and Class C airspace. Pilots should check the current map rather than relying on older advice. Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Even at locations without an airport immediately nearby, you're still responsible for checking that your planned flight is permitted.
For most recreational drone operations, you must also remain below 120 metres above ground level, keep your drone within visual line of sight and give way to crewed aircraft.
If you're flying commercially, additional CASA requirements may apply.
My tips for spotting and photographing whales
After spending so much time watching whales along the NSW coastline, there are a few things I've learned that can make a big difference.
Look for the blow first. A whale's exhalation produces a distinctive mist above the surface. On a calm day, this can be visible from a surprising distance.
Spend time watching one area. Rather than constantly moving around, find a good vantage point and scan the horizon. Once you've spotted a whale, watch its direction of travel. It may surface again nearby.
Visit when the ocean is calm. It's generally easier to spot blows, backs and fins when there isn't too much whitewater on the surface.
Bring binoculars. Even if you're a photographer with a telephoto lens, binoculars are incredibly useful for scanning large stretches of ocean.
Be patient. Some of my most memorable encounters have happened after spending hours watching what initially appeared to be an empty ocean.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience. Sometimes it's worth putting the camera down and simply appreciating what's happening in front of you.
Bringing the ocean home
One of the reasons I love photographing whales is the opportunity to preserve moments that most people will never have the chance to witness themselves.
From mothers travelling with their newborn calves to humpbacks breaching off the coastline, every encounter is different.
Through Scott Robert Photography, I turn selected photographs from these encounters into fine-art prints, professionally produced and framed here in Australia.
If you share my love of the ocean, you can explore my humpback whale photography collection and my Byron Bay coastal prints to discover more of the moments I love capturing.
Whether you're visiting Byron Bay for the first time or you've lived along the coast for years, I hope this guide helps you experience a little of the magic of whale season.
And if you're heading out to Hastings Point, perhaps I'll see you there.
Scott Robert is an Australian-based drone photographer specialising in whales, marine wildlife and coastal landscapes. His work focuses on documenting the beauty of Australia's oceans through aerial photography.
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