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With a whale expert included in every single cruise, you’re guaranteed live educational commentaries while spotting whales. Get fascinating insights about whale behaviors, their migration patterns and how these magnificent creatures contribute to our ecosystem.
Ideal for: Any traveler, wheelchair access
The cruiser is the most commonly used boat type that is versatile enough to be used for any type of cruising experience. They come in various sizes along with indoor and outdoor seating to cater to all types of customers.
Recommended experience:
Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Onboard Buffet
Ideal for: Any traveler, prone to seasickness
A Catamaran has two large hulls that are parallel to each other underneath the deck or the stronghold. This allows to keep the boat stable and prevent too much rocking or overturning. It’s the perfect option if you’re prone to getting seasick easily.
Recommended experience:
Sydney Whale Watching Cruise on Catamaran by Captain Cook
Ideal for: Traveling with children, up-close viewing
This is a specially designed boat that usually has an open viewing deck or large windows to spot the whales. The engine is specifically designed to minimize noise that affects the whales. This means that the whales will stick around longer next to your boat.
Recommended experience:
Sydney Intimate Whale Watching Cruise on Small Boat
Ideal for: Short durations, small groups
Fitted with an internal combustion engine at the back, these boats can travel up to 120 km/h. They’re usually small-sized with a capacity of 12 people, which is a great pick for when you’re traveling with friends or family.
Recommended experience:
Sydney Whale Watching Express Cruise on Speedboat
Ideal for: Adventure enthusiasts
Although also fitted with an engine at the back like a speedboat, the bow and hull of an inflatable boat are made of flexible tubes that are filled with pressurized gas. They have a capacity of 8 people and add a bit of thrill to your cruise with its open-air top.
Recommended experience:
Sydney Whale Watching Adventurous Cruise on Inflatable Boat
Ideal for: Hop on hop off, commuting between ports
These ferries have a large capacity of up to 148 people and are usually used as transport vessels along the Sydney Harbour. Shaped like catamarans, they’re stable boats that offer comfortable indoor seating while you sail from one wharf to another.
Recommended experience:
Combo: Whale Watching Cruise + 2-Day Sydney Harbour Hop-On Hop-Off Pass
Address: 7 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Find on Maps
Nearest landmark: Writer’s Walk
Address: Circular Quay, Wharf 6, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Find on Maps
Nearest landmark: First Fleet Park
Address: Bradleys Head, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia. Find on Maps
Nearest landmark: Bradleys Head Lighthouse
Address: Whale Tales Whale Watching Sydney, 1A Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000, Australia. Find on Maps
Nearest landmark: Crown Towers Sydney
Address: Campbells Cove, Floating Pontoon, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia. Find on Maps
Nearest landmark: Rotunda Observation Deck
Address: Manly Wharf, Manly NSW 2095, Australia. Find on Maps
Nearest landmark: Hugos Manly
Whale-watching cruises are conducted during the day when you can see and interact with the whales easily.
Whale migration occurs twice in a year, once when the whales travel north to give birth to their young ones and the other time when the whales travel back south with their offspring to food-rich seas.
Winter migration: During the winter, usually from April to August, pregnant whales travel north. This migration usually peaks in June and July.
Spring migration: Once mama whales have given birth to their young ones, they migrate back south to Antarctica. This movement starts in mid-August and goes on till November. The spring migration is actually more spectacular as mother whales are tending to their young ones, teaching them to breach and hunt for food. Young males are usually quite eager to jump out of the waters at this time as well! So, if you're unable to go whale watching in the winter, you can come between August and November instead for an incredible display.
The best time to spot whales in a day is usually between 11am and 3pm when the sun is right on top granting spectacular visibility.
Known for their distinctive knobby heads, Humpback whales are immense baleen whales that can grow up to 16 m or 52 ft. Despite their massive weights of about 36,000kgs, Humpback whales are notoriously acrobatic swimmers. Massive crowds of whale enthusiasts gather to witness their spectacular breaching patterns that include ejecting water from their blowholes, fin or tail slapping, or sometimes even full-body breaches like jumping out of the water.
Baleen whales are usually massive whales characterized by the presence of baleen plates instead of teeth for feeding. They feed on small fish, krill and plankton that they filter out through their baleen plates after taking massive gulps of water in their mouths.
1. Spectacular singers: With unique tunes for each group of whales, Humpback whales communicate with each other through intricate songs that last up to 20 minutes repeated over hours.
2. One of the longest migrators: Humpbacks undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling up to 25,000km in a year between their feeding and breeding grounds.
3. Unique tail flukes: Each humpback whale has a distinct pattern on its tail fluke, similar to a human fingerprint.
4. Acrobatic performers: Humpbacks are known for their incredible acrobatic displays like leaping out of the water and tail slapping. These behaviors aren’t just for play but also communication.
5. Intelligent feeding techniques: Humpbacks use complex feeding techniques like bubble net feeding to trap schools of fish or krill and scoop them up in their mouths.
Whale breaching is a spectacular sight where a whale propels itself out of the water, often launching a significant portion of its body into the air before crashing back down. These techniques don’t just facilitate better visibility and communication but also help get rid of parasites.
Beyond humpbacks, Sydney’s waters are home to orcas, minke whales, and playful dolphins. Seals are also common sightings, making each cruise an opportunity to encounter a diverse array of marine life.
The prices for Sydney whale watching cruises vary based on the type of cruise, duration, and inclusions like meals or drinks and start from AU$59 for a 2-hour whale-watching cruise. Premium options with added amenities range from AU$100 and 200 with a luxury small-group whale watching cruise priced at AU$549.
Yes, many Sydney whale watching cruises are family-friendly and suitable for kids. Each cruise features an expert guide with educational commentary, with many cruises also offering snacks and beverages to keep your children entertained and comfortable.
For adventure enthusiasts, there are high-speed boats that offer a thrilling ride along with whale watching. There is also an intimate inflatable boat experience that allows you to experience the raw ocean and get as close to the whales as possible.
The best time of day for whale watching in Sydney is usually early morning or late afternoon. These times tend to have calmer seas and better lighting, making it easier to spot the whales. Whales are also more active at the surface at these times.
The peak season for whale watching in Sydney is from May to November. During these months, you can witness the annual migration of humpback whales as they travel along the Australian coast. The highest chances of sightings occur between June and August when the whale population is at its peak. However, during the return migration in October and November, there are greater chances for you to spot eager young males breaching.
While it’s not guaranteed, some cruises, especially specialized whale-watching vessels, are equipped with hydrophones, which allow passengers to listen to the enchanting songs of the whales underwater.
With opportunities to observe their natural behaviors and spectacular breaching techniques, whale watching cruises allow you to connect with one of nature’s most magnificent creatures. Learn about their methods of communication, migration patterns and breeding cycles through live commentaries by expert marine biologists. There is also a distant side-benefit of enjoying stunning distant views of the Sydney coastline.
During the peak season, the chances of spotting whales are very high, with most operators boasting a success rate of over 95%. However, if you can’t spot any whales on your cruise, most cruises will offer you a free return trip.
Absolutely! You'll have plenty of opportunities to capture the whales breaching, tail-slapping, and performing other mesmerizing behaviors. However, avoid using the flash as it may startle the whales.
It’s best to dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly out at sea. A windproof jacket, comfortable clothing, and non-slip shoes are recommended. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen, as the sun's reflection off the water can be quite strong.
Most whale watching cruises in Sydney last between 2 to 4 hours. This duration allows ample time to travel to prime whale-watching locations and observe the whales in their natural habitat.
A little bit of rain won’t really mean that your cruise is canceled. Whale watching cruises operate in most weather conditions, except for extreme weather like storms or heavy rain, which can make the sea unsafe. If you’re worried about the rain, get some rain protection for your tour.
Generally, there are no strict age restrictions for whale watching cruises, but it’s recommended that children under the age of 3 be supervised closely. However, some cruises that use high-speed or inflatable boats may be restricted for pregnant women due to safety concerns.
Yes, most whale watching boats are equipped with restroom facilities. However, depending on the size of the boat, the number of restrooms may be limited, so it's a good idea to use the restroom before you board.