whale breaching out of water in Sydney

School Holiday Cruises

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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
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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
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Most Recent Whale Sightings

Photos taken by our onboard photographers
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Posted 5 hours ago

Yet another stunning day for Whale Watching Sydney.

We had every behaviour you could ask for, Breaches, Pectoral fin slapping, big tail throws and even some mugging. It really doesn’t get any better!! The Humpback Highway is in full swing and it’s never a dull day! We hope to see you soon!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #whales #humpbackwhales #sydney #humpbackhighway
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Comment on Facebook

Great photos!

Posted 1 day ago

What a day for it!!!

Amazing conditions on the Tasman today, and a lazy Sunday didn’t seem to apply to whales today!! Huge tail throws, some very close encounters, distant breaches and even the dolphins came out to play!!

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

Perfect Afternoon <3

Posted 2 days ago

Calm seas do not mean calm whales 😂
We've had some big splashes on some of our cruises today!

We met with a very "breachy" whale on both our Express & Adventure cruises today. We suspect this was a lone humpback whale on its southern migration and what seemed like it was having a slow and calm swim back down south turned into an explosive show of head lunging and breaches, this humpback was popping off all around our vessels, which it almost seemed like this humpback stuck around us just to show off đŸ€™

Later that afternoon we had a gorgeous sunset on our adventure cruise with some pectoral slapping and some big water spouts from the humpback whales, with the beautiful city skyline in the background to compliment it!

Even spotted what we believe to be a Southern-Giant Petral (Photo 6)

We'd love to catch you out there soon! 👋

#whalewatchingseason #humpbackwhale #whalewatchingsydney #whale #australia #humpback #sydney #whalewatching
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Large swell and quiet whales today on the Humpback Highway! A big weather system like the one that just came through, often means the whales will keep their heads down, but we still had a few great encounters today! With close passes to the boats and even a few big fluke waves! The weather and conditions are looking good over the weekend and we can’t wait to see what the whales have in store for us over the next couple of days!
Posted 3 days ago

Large swell and quiet whales today on the Humpback Highway! A big weather system like the one that just came through, often means the whales will keep their heads down, but we still had a few great encounters today! With close passes to the boats and even a few big fluke waves! The weather and conditions are looking good over the weekend and we can’t wait to see what the whales have in store for us over the next couple of days! ... See MoreSee Less

Captain, We have lift off! 🚀🐋

Stunning conditions and stunning whales out on the ocean today! The sea couldn’t have been any calmer, and we were given a show this afternoon with a couple of huge, full body breaches!

Let’s hope for the same again tomorrow and we hope to see you there!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #whales #sydney #humpbackwhale
Posted 6 days ago

Captain, We have lift off! 🚀🐋

Stunning conditions and stunning whales out on the ocean today! The sea couldn’t have been any calmer, and we were given a show this afternoon with a couple of huge, full body breaches!

Let’s hope for the same again tomorrow and we hope to see you there!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #whales #sydney #humpbackwhale
... See MoreSee Less

Posted 1 week ago

A heavy dose of whale snot incoming! 🐋 #whalewatchingseason #whalewatchingsydney #humpbackwhale #australia #whale ... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

That looks way too close, did the whale swim up to the boat or did these people break the regulations around whale watching?

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
whale breaching out of water in Sydney
August began with a wild burst of nature — huge storms and rolling seas sweeping along the Sydney coast. As the weather tested our patience, we felt the last beats of the northern migration slowing, but the whales still treated us to some truly breathtaking behaviour.

July 2025 Update

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

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...

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.