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Welcome to Whale Watching Season 2025 — and what a start it’s been!
After weeks of preparation, our team was eager to get back out on the water, and the very first trip of the season delivered something special. Departing from Circular Quay, we headed south in search of the early northbound whales and struck gold off the coast of Maroubra. A lively young humpback gave us a spectacular show, pulling out all the tricks — including a big, crowd-pleasing breach to kick things off. What a way to begin the season!
We stayed with the juvenile for as long as we could, watching it settle down from its acrobatics into a steady, graceful swim along the Sydney coastline. These early-season whales are often young ones — too immature to take part in breeding up north, but eager to embark on the incredible 10,000km round trip from the Antarctic feeding grounds to the warm waters of Queensland and back. This awe-inspiring journey takes them right past Sydney, offering us a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations.
As always with ocean-based adventures, the weather had other plans. Just as we were ready to set out for our second day, Sydney was hit with a patch of rough seas and big swells. Safety comes first, so we had to pause operations — and wait. Nearly a week passed before we could get back on the water. And surprisingly, it seemed like the whales were waiting too! Sightings were few at first, mostly smaller juveniles, making for a slower start than last year.
But by the end of May, things picked up. We’re now spotting more adult humpbacks, with pods and solo whales gliding majestically past the coastline — and yes, some stunning breaches caught on camera by our onboard photographers. All signs point to an action-packed season ahead!
We feel incredibly fortunate to be out there again, sharing the magic of the Humpback Highway with locals and visitors alike. This year, we’ve tweaked our schedule to make it even easier to join us:
Plus, our flagship vessel, Ocean Dreaming II, has had a major cabin upgrade with new seating — she’s looking sharp and ready for a season of unforgettable encounters.
With the later-than-usual start to the migration, we’re hoping for a later finish too — though, as much as we try, we still haven’t learned how to speak whale! Interestingly, there have been reports of earlier-than-usual births, with calves spotted as far south as Eden. This may be due to a combination of factors, including rising sea temperatures, shifts in marine ecosystems, or
changes in feeding patterns. We’ll leave that to the scientists — but it reminds us just how dynamic and fascinating these animals are.
To all our guests, new and returning: thank you for supporting responsible whale watching. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard and share the wonders of this incredible migration.
See you on the water!
— The Whale Watching Sydney Team
