20% Off Discovery Cruises*

*Up to 20% off Monday to Thursday until the end of the season. T&C's apply. See Available Cruises

Sydney's Best Whale Watching Cruises

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
End of Season
Up to 20% Off
Valid on select cruises Mon-Thu until the end of the 2025 season.

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$99.00
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
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Posted 24 hours ago

What a midday cruise that was! 🚀
As we left Sydney Heads, we were on our way North when we saw a big splash directly east. We decided to take a look and what we found was an energetic calf with its mother. We lost count of the number of breaches we saw and as we sat there with our engines in neutral, we then had the calf come up and start breaching near the vessel.
Close enough to see its eye!
#humpbackwhale #whale #australia #sydney #whalewatching #humpback
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Posted 5 days ago

Our midday cruise got very lucky just now. It’s quiet out there today with calm seas and very calm whales, but this calf still decided to give us the best show it could! Several breaches and some nice big tail throws. Not bad for a lazy Sunday afternoon!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #whales #humpbackhighway #humpbackwhale
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Comment on Facebook

So so beautiful... Never watched anything more than to see the most stunning creature on earth doing their thing

Oh how I wish I was there!!

Beautiful 🐋❤️🐋

Posted 6 days ago

Today’s update, unfortunately, isn’t one of our usual positive posts.

During our afternoon cruise, we encountered a mother and calf humpback whale travelling south off Manly. We were thrilled when the calf suddenly began to breach - until we realised what we thought was seaweed was actually a fishing net tangled around its pectoral fins and mouth.

We were on the phone to ORRCA immediately and passed on all the relevant details. Due to the time of day, a response wasn’t possible.

This heartbreaking sight is a reminder of the harsh reality marine life faces due to pollution and debris left in our oceans. We can only hope this young whale manages to free itself or that another sighting is reported.

Humpback whales face severe risks from entanglements which can restrict their ability to feed and potentially lead to starvation

If you see this whale in the next few days heading south of Sydney, please call the ORRCA hotline immediately on 9415 3333.
@orrcaaustralia
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Comment on Facebook

Looks like shark net

Very sad , hoping whale will be spotted in the morning so the net can be removed. Terrible that humans can’t take their rubbish home with them, whether it’s fishing lines, nets, most definitely need to remove shark nets. Too many lovely whales have been entangled in this years migration. 😢🐋Come on humans we all can do better. Thank you Whale watching tours for spotting mum and Bub and calling for assistance. Hoping this little one is freed ASAP. Pictures are great too 🙏🐋🐋😘

NSW National Parks & Wildlife have a whale response team.

Holding the net in mouth and trying to get the other bit off the fin.

Thanks for sharing this along with the detailed photos and timing. Hopefully the calf will be spotted again soon. 😢

Mischelle McBriarty I wonder if it’s the same 2 we saw.

Is there any update on this pair?

I pray for a positive outcome for this little one

Unfortunately, we spotted a whale floating off Wombarra pool at 3:30pm this afternoon. 🙁

Bloody nets in the water. Including ones for sharks 🦈..

Whales don't have a voice. We need to be the voice, pls save the calf!!

ORRCA is a fabulous organisation. I hope they can track and save this baby.

Hope the whale can be helped soon 🙏

A ‘response team’ that runs limited hours - it’s broad daylight.

Tragic No shark nets please

We are going to have to have Government Funded Pilots for these Magnificent Creatures...

Hopefully she can still open her mouth and its not obstracting her eating 😢

Are fishing nets tagged in anyway? Or is there a colour/pattern that can be used to identify where its come from? The companies involved in polluting waters should be held accountable and fined for leaving trash.

Is this the one that is now dead at Wombarra? 💔😭

Any updates?

As if you aussies care about whales with your shark nets.

Hope they find it and help it How sad the damage we humans do to the planet

💔

😢😢🙏🙏

Clear the nets …NOW

View more comments

Posted 6 days ago

It's been a whirlwind of humpback tails and one-off breach we witnessed between Manly to Curl Curl!

We were enjoying the company of a mother and calf swimming South, on the tail end of the Southern migration we still see a few stragglers which are usually older whales or humpback mothers with their calves. Looks like it might take these 2 awhile to make it down South with all the acrobatic displays slowing them down, although we're not complaining!

#humpbackwhale #whale #humpback #whalewatching #sydney #australia
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Just when we thought it was starting to slow down, we get some show stoppers!

A quiet start to our midday trip before some distant whale started to breach, setting off the two we were cruising with, including this gravity defying head lunge!

#whalewatchingsydney #whales #whalewatching #humpback #humpbackhighwayImage attachmentImage attachment
Posted 1 week ago

Just when we thought it was starting to slow down, we get some show stoppers!

A quiet start to our midday trip before some distant whale started to breach, setting off the two we were cruising with, including this gravity defying head lunge!

#whalewatchingsydney #whales #whalewatching #humpback #humpbackhighway
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

The great humpback

We're they going up still, or on way back down ?

Look at the lovely smooth skin and great colours. Must be a youngster ❤️

Aneak Knight 🤩🥰

Posted 1 week ago

We lucked out on our 3pm cruise 🚀

We had lift off from a Humpback calf frolicking in the increasing swell. It was worthwhile getting amongst the heavy swell to see that amazing show!

Although the season is close to an end, it really isn't quite over yet!

#humpbackwhale #australia #humpback #whale #sydney #whalewatching
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Comment on Facebook

I do hope they hang around for a few more weeks.....Husky in 3 weeks time!

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
It’s getting to that time of year again—the season is drawing to a close, and we have only a few more weeks left before our whales depart for the cooler waters of Antarctica.
whale leaping out of the water in front of a boat

September 2025 Update

Without a doubt, it’s been the most exciting month of the season so far. The action seemed to come out...
whale breaching out of water in Sydney

August 2025 Update

August began with a wild burst of nature — huge storms and rolling seas sweeping along the Sydney coast. As...

July 2025 Update

The past six weeks have flown by, and the northern migration of our mighty Humpbacks is now in full swing....

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.