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Whale Watching Sydney

2025 cruises now on sale! Available Cruises

Sydney's Best Whale Watching Cruises

The 2025 whale watching season has now started

Whale Watching Sydney offers one of the best whale watching experiences in Australia. Our passionate crew have over 30 years of experience aboard our custom-built fleet of vessels, which means you’ll be in good hands to see nature’s beauty with your very eyes.

Whale Watching, 2hr Express Cruise
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2hr Express Cruise
On Ocean Dreaming II

Only $85.00
Circular Quay, Wharf 6
Our most popular whale watching cruise, reaching the open ocean in 15min. Watch whales across three viewing decks on the best whale watching boat in Sydney.
Whale Watching, 2hr Express Cruise
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2.5hr Discovery Cruise
on Fantasea Avalon

Only $85.00
Darling Harbour, Aquarium Wharf
Departing from Darling Harbour, cruise the open ocean in comfort from the seated sun deck, covered rear deck or climate-controlled cabin on Fantasea Avalon.
Whale Watching, 2hr Express Cruise
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2.5hr Adventure Cruise
On Totally Wild

Only $99.00
Darling Harbour – Pier 26, Berth 3
Sydney’s most thrilling, high-speed whale watching experience onboard our custom-built rescue vessel, Totally Wild! Perfect for thrill seekers wanting an adrenaline rush.
Whale Watching, 3hr Discovery Cruise
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Central Coast
Whale Watching

Only$95.00
Palm Beach & Ettalong Beach (Free Transfer)
No need to travel into Sydney for your whale watching cruise with local departures from the Central Coast at Palm Beach and Ettalong Beach (Free transfer). On weekends during school holidays.

Save 20% on whale watching cruises
with My NRMA Rewards

Save 20% on Whale Watching Cruises with My NRMA Rewards

Most Recent Whale Sightings

Photos taken by our onboard photographers
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Big Breach Today! So close to the boat we couldn’t fit it all in the frame!

Our late afternoon cruise got the show again today, when we found a competition pod of three whales charging North! Two of the whales were engaged in some very boisterous behaviours, ramming and tail swiping at each other. As we watched two of them colliding, with all eyes on them, the third whale came out of nowhere, launching itself out of the water just meters away! 

What a show!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #humpbackwhales #sydneyImage attachmentImage attachment
Posted 6 minutes ago

Big Breach Today! So close to the boat we couldn’t fit it all in the frame!

Our late afternoon cruise got the show again today, when we found a competition pod of three whales charging North! Two of the whales were engaged in some very boisterous behaviours, ramming and tail swiping at each other. As we watched two of them colliding, with all eyes on them, the third whale came out of nowhere, launching itself out of the water just meters away!

What a show!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #humpbackwhales #sydney
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Posted 1 day ago

Our 12:00 cruise got very lucky today with an exciting breach show from this young whale! Launching out the water for an acrobatic display on both sides of the boat it was hard to keep track!!

Amazing displays on the Humpback Highway and conditions are looking good for the next few days! We hope to see you soon!
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Posted 2 days ago

Unbelievable! What a show that was!!

Three beautiful cruises today, but that last one of the day really got the heart racing! After finding a mother and very fresh young calf close to North Head, we decided to head East to give the new mum and little one some space, and that’s when it all kicked off!

We found a single sub adult whale putting on the show of the week, with breach after breach just meters from boat, some true acrobatics that left us in awe!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #humpbackhighway #sydney #humpbackwhales
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Comment on Facebook

True to form - the whales performed and breached when I was not on board - they follow Murphy's law when I am not there

Ted Lamb The lighting and colours are beautiful. Good job.

Are they still going North or have they started coming south?

Phil Sainty Danny Fletcher

Amy Garner Jo-Ann King

Emma Freney

View more comments

Posted 4 days ago

It's good to be back now all this crazy weather is finished, for the moment.

Conditions are looking good over the next week, and we enjoyed an easy going cruise today seeing plenty of whales still on their Northern migration. On two separate cruises we witnessed a pod of 2 and the other a pod of 3 cruise by us going nice and slow as we had our engines idle and watched as their tails go up vertical then go straight down, almost like a wave goodbye 👋

Catch you out there! 🐋

#whalewatching #sydney #whale #whalewatchingsydney #humpbackwhale
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Posted 4 days ago

We’re back! After a couple of days of a very heavy weather system sweeping along the coast, we made it back out yesterday and our late afternoon cruise hit the jackpot with a very close encounter, two whales coming in for a look at us before being joined by another pod and steadily heading out east.

The weather and sea conditions are looking set to give us a much better time over the weekend so come and join us on the Humpback Highway!

#whalewatchingsydney #whales #whalewatching #sydney
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Palm Beach whale season kicks off this weekend! Join us for an epic 2.5hr cruise as we explore the open ocean for nature’s most majestic creatures.

Departing from Palm Beach with free transfers from Ettalong for the Coasties, enjoy a mix of high-speed and comfort, with plentiful seating and spacious observation areas for viewing.

Our cruises are family-friendly, so bring the kids along these school holidays.

https://www.whalewatchingsydney.com.au/cruises/central-coast-whale-watching/
Posted 6 days ago

Palm Beach whale season kicks off this weekend! Join us for an epic 2.5hr cruise as we explore the open ocean for nature’s most majestic creatures.

Departing from Palm Beach with free transfers from Ettalong for the Coasties, enjoy a mix of high-speed and comfort, with plentiful seating and spacious observation areas for viewing.

Our cruises are family-friendly, so bring the kids along these school holidays.

www.whalewatchingsydney.com.au/cruises/central-coast-whale-watching/
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Why cruise with us?

30 Years Experience

Full commentary from experienced Marine Naturalists or Scientists to guide you through the cruise.

Whale Guarantee

If you don’t see whales on your first whale watching cruise you can come back again for free!

15-20min to the ocean

Don’t waste hours traveling to the whales and back. Minimal time in the harbour, maximum time with whales.

Read our Whale Watching Blog

Written by our onboard photographers
The past six weeks have flown by, and the northern migration of our mighty Humpbacks is now in full swing. We’ve already witnessed some epic sights and stunning whale behaviours—and we know there’s plenty more to come.

Whale Watching and Coastal Adventures with a Sydney Hire Car

Combine your whale watching cruise with a hire car from SIXT for a coastal road trip, and you’ve got a...

Whale Watching Season 2025 Has Begun!

After weeks of preparation, our team was eager to get back out on the water, and the very first trip...

September 2024 Update – Orca Pod Spotted in Sydney

Orca have not been sighted in Sydney waters since 2018 near Botany Bay. While there was a sighting back in...

Testimonials

  • My experience was amazing I say Whales breaching it was fantastic. And the crew on the boat made my experiences a great and safe place to be.

    OnAir551973
    Aug. 2023
  • Weather was a bit miserable, but the boat made it comfortable. The crew had their finger on the pulse out there and when whales were spotted by a sister boat, we were taken quickly to a perfect viewing spot. The whales repeatedly breached, including a double breach from the pair. We got great photos and finished the voyage pumped.

    Windy Miller
    Jul. 2023
  • The boat, crew and overall experience was fabulous! Whales were promised and wow we were blown away, we can’t believe that we saw whales breaching and tail slapping so close we felt at times we could almost touch them.
    This crew have perfected the tour with an onboard Marine Biologist and happy, easygoing but safe attitude.

    Deborah J
    Jul.2023
  • Went Whale Watching with my teen and we both loved it! if you are in Sydney between May/November and you check weather/sea conditions, GO! You are not going to be disappointed!

    Kikka1931
    Dec.2023
  • Once we got out of the Harbor, we started seeing whales. They were jumping and feeding and just cruising along side the boat!! The crew were all super friendly and helpful and kept the trip fun and interesting.

    BigMo
    Dec. 2023
  • Whale Watching Sydney. Another excellent trip with lots of whales observed. If you book online suggest you tick the extra option for getting the professional photos. Good commentary on what you are seeing

    AsiaDavies
    Oct. 2023
  • Must to do with kids. Amazing experience with kids. Must to do if in Sydney. There is big difference watching whale compared to other animals as the shear size of whale and they move is magnificent.

    mayanksaksena1
    Oct. 2023
  • Never thought in my whole life I would see whales so close . Commentator excellent with information and keeping us up to date with sightings and explanations .  A Fantastic exceptional trip .

    733doctor
    Sep. 2023

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which our business operates. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.