Whale Watching FAQs

Commonly asked Whale Watching Questions and General Suggestions Read FAQs

Check The Weather

We want you to enjoy your experience with us . Calmer sea conditions make for more enjoyable cruises. 7 Day Wind & Wave Forecast

Eat Sensibly

Sea sickness can be triggered by having had a big breakfast or lunch. This is the reason we do not offer lunch onboard as some of our competitors do.

Bring a seasick remedy

So that you have the best experience possible we recommend that you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before the cruise about a motion sickness remedy to take that is appropriate for you.

General Whale Questions

What types of whales will I see?

99% of the whales seen in past seasons have been Humpback whales. Occasionally we see Southern Right whales ( usually in August / September ). If you get extremely lucky we may see some Killer whales or Blue whales ( only two or three sightings over the last 10 years )

Will there be room for me to see the whales?

Yes, there is plenty of rail space onboard our vessels! They are custom built whale watching vessels, with outside viewing areas over 3 levels on our 3hr Discovery Cruise and one open cabin with 360 degree viewing on our 2hr Adventure Cruise.

Where is the best position on the boat?

Everyone has their own favorite position!

the front deck and bridge deck sides are great spots, and flybridge deck is the highest point (so you can see further).

the bridge deck aft is great for those that prefer a bit more protection from the elements, but you can see everything from the cabin windows on the main deck from the comfort of the high back cushioned chairs.

Is the morning or afternoon better?

It is totally random! Whales can do anything at any time during the day. Generally calmer sea conditions mean a more enjoyable cruise for passengers, so checking the above 7 day weather forecast can give a good indication if the morning or afternoon cruise will have more suitable conditions. How about you join us for both the morning and afternoon cruise!

 

What happens if it rains?

Rain is no problem on on our 3hr Discovery Cruise, as we have plenty of climate controlled cabin space on board so everyone can be warm and undercover.

Totally Wild is more exposed to the elements, but has a roof and clear covers that can be rolled down if needed

Whale Guarantee

What is the Whale Guarantee

The whale guarantee allows each passenger of a whale watching cruise that did not successfully watch whales to return on another whale watching cruise during the same year (or the following year if the unsuccessful cruise was within 2 weeks of the season ending) with a whale watching return voucher.

Whale Watching return vouchers are stand-by tickets only and priority is given to paying customers. They are issued to each booking via email after the cruise.

Please redeem your whale watching return voucher in advance via phone 1800 326 822 or at one of our ticket offices at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. Return Vouchers can not be exchanged for a refund.

What's the definition of seeing whales?

By seeing whales we mean that we find and approach at least one whale and we have at least 2 confirmed sightings on the surface at a reasonable distance.

We want you to have the best whale watching experience possible and it is at the discretion of the crew to issue return vouchers. Sometimes we may still offer the guarantee in the rare case that we technically see whales but feel it was not a good enough experience.

What happens if I still don't see a whale on my free return trip?

In the unlikely event whales are not watched successfully on a cruise you redeemed your return voucher on, then we will issue another whale watching return voucher.

We want you to have a good whale watching experience and will keep inviting you back until you do.

My NRMA Members Save 20% on
Whale Watching Cruises

My NRMA Members Save 20% on Whale Watching Cruises

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.