The study of marine mammals requires fine scale data on habitat use. Detailed information on movements can be obtained using GPS satellite tags. However, the costs associated with using satellite transmission for location information can be a problem for tight research budgets. We used a commonly available asset tracker GPS/GSM used for tracking cargo and integrated it into a CATS suction cup tag to test its feasibility in providing location position on migrating humpback whales in coastal waters of eastern Australia. During four deployments on different cohorts, the tags provided location points with relative high accuracy for all individuals albeit different swim behaviour and surface intervals. In combination with a stand alone archival data logger the tag provided also detailed information on dive profiles. However, success of location upload through the GSM network depends on the surface intervals. Further adjustments of the tag design will allow for remote access to location data after deployment. Preliminary results also suggested location acquisition was better when the tag was positioned well above the midline of the whale body. The technology also has the potential to be deployed on other marine mammals in coastal waters.