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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
Save 20% with My NRMA Rewards
Enter your membership number to receive discounted price

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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Posted 17 hours ago

Wet windy and wild on the humpback Highway today! Lots of young whales flying along with spontaneous breaches and big tail throws! They were tricky to track but put on some amazing shows when we did find them!

#whalewatchingsydney #humpbackwhales #whalewacthing #whales
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Comment on Facebook

Hi everyone! My daughter is a year 11 geography student looking to investigate the effect of whale migrations on the people of Sydney’s appreciation and worldview of nature for her Geographical Investigation Project. It would be very helpful to her if you could complete this survey: forms.gle/rsnWGYcJDR3xazedA All responses are completely anonymous, so please answer as honestly as you can. Thanks in advance!

Posted 3 days ago

Easy cruising along the Northern beaches for our trips today! The whales seemed to be travelling in all directions, including a Mother, Calf and Escort swimming in huge circles just outside the harbour entrance. It’s was hard work to track these whales but we still had some stunning close encounters.

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #whales #humpbackwhales
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Wow! What an afternoon cruise that was.

The whales were, for the most part, taking it easy on the humpback highway today, which made locating them challenging but not impossible.

Just to seal the deal on our afternoon cruise, we had 2 breaches and a head lunge from an adult humpback, as much as we love to see a breach, we love to hear the cheering that follows post-breach!

 #humpback #whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #humpbackwhale #sydney #australiaImage attachment
Posted 4 days ago

Wow! What an afternoon cruise that was.

The whales were, for the most part, taking it easy on the humpback highway today, which made locating them challenging but not impossible.

Just to seal the deal on our afternoon cruise, we had 2 breaches and a head lunge from an adult humpback, as much as we love to see a breach, we love to hear the cheering that follows post-breach!

#humpback #whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #humpbackwhale #sydney #australia
... See MoreSee Less

Posted 5 days ago

Show of the season!!! Unbelievable encounter just now on our Express Trip from Circular Quay!

We were joined by two very friendly whales that spent almost an hour mugging the boat! Appearing so close to the us we could barely believe our eyes! They swam straight up to us, circling the boat and taking as good a look at us as we did at them. That was definitely one for the title of best trip of the season. Even our crew were speechless! Thank you whales! 🐋 ❤️

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #humpbackwhales #whales #sydney
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Posted 7 days ago

Another beautiful cruise this afternoon, with possibly the calmest conditions all season. The water is like glass and the whales were inquisitive, swimming beside us for a solid half an hour, an occasional change in direction to get a closer look at us before continuing on their way!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #sydney #humpback #humpbackwhale
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What a morning! The sea conditions are stunning and we found a pod of young whales putting on a party out there! Lots of lunging behaviours and rolling around each other, all with the stunning Sydney skyline in the background!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #sydney #fantasea #humpbackwhaleImage attachmentImage attachment
Posted 7 days ago

What a morning! The sea conditions are stunning and we found a pod of young whales putting on a party out there! Lots of lunging behaviours and rolling around each other, all with the stunning Sydney skyline in the background!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #sydney #fantasea #humpbackwhale
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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.

June 2025 Update

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

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...

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.