Sydney · SYDNEY WHALE WATCHING TOURS

Sydney Whale Watching: The 15 Best Cruises

31 tours  Â·  from $43 a head

Humpbacks pass the Heads between roughly May and November, heading north in winter and back south with calves in spring. The 15 below compare boat size, time at sea and what happens when the whales stay out of sight.

Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - What whale watching feels like from the deck
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

1.Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,790 reviews · 2h 45m · from $63Our pick

Sail from Circular Quay on a 165-minute whale-watching cruise along Sydney’s coast. An English-speaking guide shares facts about whale behavior as you scan the water from open decks or indoor seating. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, toilets, and a licensed bar are onboard. Whale sightings are guaranteed, with a complimentary return trip if none appear.

“Loved the rocking and rolling of the boat. The crew did everything they could to find whales and we were very lucky to see a Mum and her calf swimming in the ocean. It was amazing watching them in their natural habitat. The crew were great. I highly recommend booking this excursion with Sydney Whale watching.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast - Beyond Sydney Heads, the ocean sets the pace
Lunch Experiences, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

2.Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 878 reviews · from $74

Spend about four hours aboard a Sydney Princess Cruises vessel, starting with breakfast or a barbecue buffet lunch as you pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other waterfront sights. Then head beyond Sydney Heads to look for migrating humpback and southern right whales. A naturalist guide provides live commentary, and if no whales are found, you can return for another cruise.

“Glad we got to see the whales pop out the water , long time out in the water. Food was delicious as well.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise - A flexible boat for watching
2-Hour Experiences, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

3.2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

Leave Circular Quay aboard the Fantasea Crystal and reach open water in about 20 minutes, leaving most of your two-hour cruise for whale watching. Choose the open sun deck, covered rear deck or air-conditioned cabin. English commentary accompanies the trip, and if no whales are seen, you can return on another cruise for free.

“Saw multiple whales within 20 minutes, got to see different types of breaches, hear them make noises, etc. it was so cool I booked a second tour immediately after to go back out in the water and see more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney - A small group makes a difference
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

4.Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 571 reviews · from $99Top rated

Leave King Street Wharf for a 2.5-hour cruise past the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, then head beyond Sydney Heads to look for humpback whales. Crew members such as Mette, Rex, Isaac and Alex have shared whale facts, helped spot wildlife and, on some trips, sent photos afterward. A whale-sighting guarantee offers a free return cruise if none appear.

“We had an amazing time on our tour today. Alex, Alex, and Metie did an excellent job of searching out and finding whales for us to see! This included great customer service, great information, photos of the whales and of the journey! I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone interested in seeing whales in Sydney!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney: Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran - Searching for whales, not watching a show
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sydney: Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

5.Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 402 reviews · 2h 30m · from $63

Depart Aquarium Wharf on Fantasea Avalon, a purpose-built catamaran that reaches the open ocean in about 30 minutes. Spend the rest of the 150-minute cruise watching for whales from indoor or outdoor viewing areas, with an English-speaking guide, complimentary tea, coffee, and water, and an onboard photographer whose images are available to buy.

“Saw 4 whales - came close to a boat. Brilliant experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour - Cliffs, caves and a changing route
Jervis Bay Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour

6.Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 353 reviews

Join Jervis Bay Wild for an approximately two-hour whale-watching cruise from Huskisson, with morning and afternoon departures. Look for migrating humpbacks, calves and dolphins, and take in the bay’s sea cliffs and caves. Crew members including Wayne, Sophie and Hamish have been named on past trips, but sightings depend on wildlife and sea conditions.

“Great experience sighting whales. Crew were great with commentary and checking on comfort of passengers while calmly coping with children and parents who frequently were asked to follow safety rules on the vessel - amazing patience and still smiling throughout the cruise. Would recommend this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch - The search beyond Sydney Heads
Lunch Experiences, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch

7.Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 340 reviews · 4 hours · from $70

Board Sydney Princess Cruises at Circular Quay for a four-hour whale-watching trip beyond Sydney Heads. A live English-speaking guide shares facts about whales and the harbour while you scan for humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine life. Choose a hot breakfast on weekends or a BBQ-style lunch, available daily. Sightings are never guaranteed, and rough seas can make motion-sickness tablets a smart idea.

“The service from the registration until entering the board was very good organised. The Staff on board was very friendly and the lunch buffet was delicious. On the Whale Watching Cruise was a lot of information about Whales and also Dolphins. Do you have no guarantee the wild animals shows up, but we had Whales and Dolphins.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney: Scenic Whale Watching Cruise - Whales Guaranteed - Watching for humpbacks offshore
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Scenic Whale Watching Cruise – Whales Guaranteed

8.Scenic Whale Watching Cruise – Whales Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 318 reviews · 3 hours · from $45

Cruise from Circular Quay past Sydney Harbour and through Sydney Heads on a three-hour catamaran trip in search of migrating humpback whales. An English-speaking guide provides live commentary, and the crew keeps watch offshore. Captain Dean and guide Tom have led some trips, though the crew may vary. Dolphins and seals are possible extra sightings.

“It was a fabulous outing seeing the Whales n on the way back seeing the Dolphins. Money well spent.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat - Watching for humpbacks offshore
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat

9.Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 314 reviews · from $92

From Campbell’s Cove at Circular Quay, take a two-hour speedboat ride past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then head out to sea in search of humpback whales. The skipper explains what to watch for, and crew members such as Blake and Sean have earned praise for their whale knowledge and enthusiasm. Jackets are provided, but the ride can be rough.

“Absolutely brilliant! We were lucky enough to see a couple of whales that were pec and tail slapping. Blake is a great host and we can highly recommend this trip! Many thanks for a memorable experience on our 25th Wedding Anniversary 🥰”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise - Commentary, crew, and the wildlife beyond whales
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Sydney Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise

10.Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 300 reviews · 2h 30m · from $67

Sail from Circular Quay into open water for a 150-minute search for migrating humpback whales. You’ll have an all-weather lounge, outdoor viewing areas, and English commentary, with chances of spotting dolphins and other marine life. Whale sightings are 95% guaranteed, with a free standby return cruise in the same season if none appear. Guides have included Paul, and Captain Mark has been praised for spotting whales.

“we saw a whale right away and followed it for a while. While following we saw many more. Our guides were very knowledgeable and spotted the whales right away.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney: Ocean Whale Watching Experience - Commentary that adds context
Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney: Ocean Whale Watching Experience

11.Ocean Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 240 reviews · 2h 30m · from $98

Leave King Street Wharf for a 2.5-hour trip past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then search the open ocean for migrating humpbacks. The boat is described as limited to 30 passengers, with commentary on whale behavior and Sydney’s whaling past. Crew members have included Alex, Mette, Ben, and Rex, though the team varies by departure.

“Excellent tour and quite good at finding the whales.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise from Circular Quay - Sea conditions, warmth and motion sickness
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise from Circular Quay

12.Sydney Whale Watching Cruise from Circular Quay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · from $68

Sail from Circular Quay on a custom-built catamaran, passing the Opera House and harbour headlands before searching for migrating whales offshore. The 2.5-hour cruise runs from May to November, with open decks, indoor viewing windows and live commentary. Humpbacks are the most common sighting, but dolphins, seabirds and other whales may appear too.

“Gina was friendly and knowledgeable. We saw beautiful whales near the boat. At least 3 pods and 1 breech. A great experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

Port Stephens: 2.5-Hour Whale Watching & Outer Island Cruise - Comfort, weather and motion at sea
Port Stephens Tours, Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Port Stephens: 2.5-Hour Whale Watching & Outer Island Cruise

13.Port Stephens: 2.5-Hour Whale Watching & Outer Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 156 reviews · from $53

From Nelson Bay, Moonshadow - TQC Cruises takes you past Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands toward Port Stephens’ Outer Islands. Look for migrating humpbacks, dolphins, seals and seabirds from two outdoor viewing levels or the air-conditioned cabin. The 2.5-hour cruise includes tea, coffee and English commentary. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the open ocean can be rough.

“We enjoyed the experience and were happy that dolphins and whales were sighted.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle - A small boat, a useful guide and practical comforts
Newcastle Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle

14.Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · from $84

Leave Newcastle Harbour aboard a small eco-tourism vessel with a wildlife guide, then follow the Hunter Coast offshore in search of migrating humpback whales. You may spot dolphins or seals, too. Groups are capped at 20, weatherproof jackets are provided, and if no whale is seen, CoastXP offers a return trip within the same season.

“Highly recommend this to families . Everything was well organised and the tour guide was very informative and helpful”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sydney Whale Watching - 2.5hr Discovery Cruise - Choosing where to watch
Sydney Harbour Cruises, Sydney Tours, Sydney Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews

Sydney Whale Watching – 2.5hr Discovery Cruise

15.Sydney Whale Watching – 2.5hr Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 120 reviews · from $57

Leave from Darling Harbour with Fantasea Cruising Sydney for a 2.5-hour search for humpback whales. You’ll pass the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, reach open water in about 25 minutes, and hear crew commentary on whale behaviour and migration. Choose a morning or afternoon sailing between May and November. Tea and coffee are included; whale photos and other drinks cost extra.

“The day we were originally supposed to go on this trip there were gale force winds. We were able to change to another day couple days later. We saw male whales slapping the water and breaching and then saw a second pod as we headed back into the bay. Wonderful trip. We saw the whales breaching 9 times. Amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Sydney Whale Watching Tours

★ 3.5Whale Watching Adventure CruiseFrom $675 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watching Discovery Tour from Lake MacquarieFrom $899 reviews
★ 5.0Port Stephens, departing Newcastle – Whales, hike & sand dunes!From $1863 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watching & Hop On Hop Off Cruise PackageFrom $884 reviews
★ 3.5Sydney; Whale WatchingFrom $5617 reviews
★ 4.52.5 hour Adventure Whale Watching CruiseFrom $8817 reviews
★ 4.2Whale Watching Cruise and Taronga Zoo PackageFrom $9537 reviews
★ 5.0Port Stephens, from Newcastle: Whales, hike & sand dunes!From $1844 reviews
★ 3.8Newcastle: Humpback Whale Watching Cruise and Harbor TourFrom $6030 reviews
★ 4.9Newcastle: Small Group Humpback Whale Encounter TourFrom $8841 reviews

Keep browsing

Sydney Harbour Cruises156Sydney Dinner Cruises17Sydney Lunch Cruises14Sydney Sunset Tours21Sydney Dolphin Watching Tours17Sydney Jet Boat Rides8Sydney Kayaking Tours23Vivid Sydney Tours8
Scroll to Top

Sydney, by what you came for

Pick a deck, a cliff edge or a cellar door.

On the water

Harbour CruisesWhale WatchingDinner CruisesKayakingJet Boats

City landmarks

Opera HouseBridge ClimbsThe RocksWalking ToursHistory Walks

Out of town

Blue MountainsHunter ValleyWine TastingsSandboardingDay Trips

The wild side

Wildlife DaysZoo TicketsDolphin CruisesBeach DaysScenic Flights