Sunset Cruises

Every Thursday to Sunday at 4:15pm on our Express Cruise. Available Sunset 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
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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
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 19 hours ago

A big hello from a big pod of whales on our 3pm cruise! 🐋

We set out with no expectation this afternoon, but what we got was a pod of 7 humpbacks who were having a big get together and heading down south as one large pod.
We had to stop at one point as they changed direction and swam right past the front of our vessel with not a worry in the world.

We got a close up show of tail throws and what looked like a 30-40 ton whale trying to do a handstand (photo 4)

We're still seeing a lot of humpbacks out there!
Book through: www.whalewatchingsydney.com.au/

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

Getting a few big pods coming through Port Macquarie the last few days! Be prepared for more! Had a pod of around 10 on monday. This may be some of them.

We've just sailed from Sunshine Coast back to Sydney harbour and the whale activity the whole way has been nothing short of amazing. Suspect you've still got a couple of good weeks viewing here off Sydney 🙂🐋🐋🐋

Posted 2 days ago

Lively calves all over the ocean this afternoon! Our last trip from Circular Quay started with pods in all directions. Cruising along with very little surface time, but patience is the name of the game when it comes to whale watching and wow did this young one decided to deliver! Multiple breaches and rolling around, getting closer and closer to the boat until mum and escort decided it was time to rest and guided this little rocket further out to sea. So much fun!!

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #whale #humpbackhighway #breachingwhale #whales
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Posted 2 days ago

What a beautiful afternoon for some whale acrobatics!

There are whales everywhere out there today and our midday cruise found a mother calf and escort cruising close to shore at Manly. The calf was practicing its moves with lots of fin slaps and some brilliant breaches right beside us! The water’s calm, the suns shining and the whales are playful. Perfect 👌

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #humpbackwhale #humpbackhighway #fantaseacruising #sydney
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Hello little one!

Our midday cruise was treated to a lively show from this calf bouncing around beside the boat! Mum and escort joined in with some big pec slaps and tail throws, Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon if you ask us!

#whalewatchingsydney #whales #humpbackhighway #whalewatching #whalecalf #whalebreach
Posted 3 days ago

Hello little one!

Our midday cruise was treated to a lively show from this calf bouncing around beside the boat! Mum and escort joined in with some big pec slaps and tail throws, Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon if you ask us!

#whalewatchingsydney #whales #humpbackhighway #whalewatching #whalecalf #whalebreach
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Posted 4 days ago

Well the calm conditions disappeared for our last trip of the day, but two very playful calves and their mums came out to party! Massive head lunges and breaches again and again!! Superb! Swipe to see a photo of one calf looking straight down the barrel of our camera lens! 🚀🚀

#whalewatchingsydney #whalewatching #whales #humpbackwhale #humpbackhighway
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Posted 4 days ago

Calm conditions this morning, but a pod of 3 decided it was time for a show! Huge breaches right beside the boat, and a beautiful morning on the water. It doesn’t get any better!! 🐳🚀

#whalewatchingsydney #whales #humpbackwhales #whalewatching
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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
whale leaping out of the water in front of a boat
Without a doubt, it’s been the most exciting month of the season so far. The action seemed to come out of nowhere! Just weeks earlier, our crew had been chatting about how the whales felt more subdued compared to the same time last year. Then, in true whale-watching unpredictability, it suddenly felt like every whale along the coast decided it...
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....

June 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.