Category New South Wales Whale Watching Tours

Sydney · NEW SOUTH WALES WHALE WATCHING TOURS

The 15 Best Whale-Watching Tours in New South Wales

17 reviewed

The migration season runs along several stretches of the New South Wales coast, from Sydney Heads to Jervis Bay and Newcastle. Compare vessel size, cruise length and the departure harbour before booking a winter day at sea.

Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - The 165-minute cruise rhythm: what the trip feels like

1.Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,790 reviews · 2h 45m · from $63Our pick

A 165-minute catamaran whale watch from Circular Quay with live onboard commentary, warm drinks, and big views of Sydney Harbour.

“One of the highlights of my trip into Sydney. Very caring staff always putting our safety first, as very knowledgeable. There was also complementary tea and coffee in the last leg of the journey which was a lovely touch. Points to improve - If you’re sitting outside and the engine is running full blast we can’t hear which we’re missing out important bits of the tour.”

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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast - The whale hunt: leaving Sydney Heads for the Pacific

2.Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 878 reviews · from $74

Sydney whale-watching cruise with breakfast or BBQ lunch, live onboard commentary, small-group comfort, and guaranteed sightings or return cruise.

“You can’t guarantee that the whales will be very active. We did see some whales, tail slaps and fin slaps. They are amazing creatures. The boat was comfortable, the lunch was tasty and the crew were friendly. Would try Sydney Princess Cruise again - but earlier in the whale migration season.”

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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise - Fantasea Crystal seating plan: where you will want to sit

3.2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

2-hour express whale watching from Circular Quay to open ocean in 20 minutes. Fantasea Crystal seating options, whales or free return.

“Perfect, the whales where around us all the time, beautiful spectacle, 100% recommended, only advice is to go with very warm clothes because is freezing outside the boat”

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Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney - The whale sighting guarantee, and how it changes your risk

4.Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 571 reviews · from $99Top rated

Whale Tales 2.5-hour whale watching cruise from Darling Harbour with close humpback views, live commentary, and a whale guarantee.

“What an amazing pairing, captain Rex and whale professor extraordinaire Mawi, such an enjoyable and knowledgeable trip, they both captivated and survived the interrogation about whales from our son (Alex)! We cannot rate this trip and crew members highly enough, from the safety briefing, through the entire voyage, thoroughly enjoyable! And the whales, amazing, breathtaking and the experience was delivered in a way that the safety of the whales was paramount and dignified - 10/10 for the entire experience 🐋 This voyage felt personable and bespoke, not sure it would have been the same on a larger vessel and greater numbers of passengers. This is small family run business and…”

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Sydney: Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

Sydney: Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran - The Whale Watching Search: What the Crew Looks For

Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour

Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour - The cruise itself: how you actually find humpbacks in Jervis Bay

6.Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 353 reviews

2-hour Jervis Bay whale watching cruise for humpbacks, dolphins, seals and seabirds, with morning or afternoon departures.

“Our whale watch tour was a completely amazing experience for our group. The clean comfortable vessel and excellent staff took us out through the heads of Jervis Bay, past the light house where we saw the abseilers coming down the cliffs of Point Perpindicular, out to the open sea. We soon saw whale action in the distance and went over toward them. A pod of inquisitive humpbacks circled the boat and entertained us for the next 40 minutes displaying their tails and tummies, seemingly as interested in us as we were in them! A truly exhilarating and memorable experience!”

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Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch - Where you board at Sydney Princess Cruises, Eastern Pontoon

Sydney: Scenic Whale Watching Cruise – Whales Guaranteed

Sydney: Scenic Whale Watching Cruise - Whales Guaranteed - Getting to Eastern Pontoon Wharf, Circular Quay, without stress

8.Scenic Whale Watching Cruise – Whales Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 318 reviews · 3 hours · from $45

A 3-hour Sydney Harbour whale watching cruise with humpbacks guaranteed. Spacious catamaran, expert commentary, great value for $45.

“Absolutely amazing experience! It was unforgettable. We saw several whales up close, and the views were breathtaking. The staff were fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole trip even better. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting Australia! To the staff member that passed on the underwater go pro footage to us at the end Thankyou so much it’s those little gestures that add to the experience!”

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Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat

Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat - The speedboat run: Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and real Sydney in motion

9.Sydney Whale-Watching by Speed Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 314 reviews · from $92

Speedboat whale watching from Circular Quay with jackets and skipper guidance. Cruise past Opera House, chase humpbacks in 2 hours.

“Blake was a great guide and this was a fantastic experience -- I immediately wanted to go again the next morning once we arrived back (and would've gone if a slot was available). It's important to remember there's no controlling the whales so there is patience and some luck involved to see a breach or get really close -- and more luck to get it on camera. We followed a few different pods during the time and even got to see one breach as we headed back. Loved that Blake took pictures to share with as after and that special coats were provided. My only wishes were that it was…”

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Sydney: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise

Sydney: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise - Cruising the entrance to Sydney Harbour: wildlife, commentary, and classic views

10.Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 300 reviews · 2h 30m · from $67

Whale watching from Circular Quay: winter humpbacks, dolphins and seals, onboard commentary, all-weather viewing, 95% whale sighting guarantee.

“Paul gave us so many interesting whale facts and the entire crew was great at making sure our experience is unforgettable. Thank you!”

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Sydney: Ocean Whale Watching Experience

Sydney: Ocean Whale Watching Experience - Where you meet at King Street Wharf #3, and how the first minutes set you up

11.Ocean Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 240 reviews · 2h 30m · from $98

Small-group ocean whale watching from Darling Harbour, 150 minutes to spot humpbacks close up with expert commentary and emailed photos.

“The boys were amazing ! Fun and very knowledgeable in everything not just the whale watching ! They answered so many questions ! Saw some beautiful animals! Best experience ever!”

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Sydney Whale Watching Cruise from Circular Quay

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise from Circular Quay - Open-Water Scanning on a 2.5-Hour Catamaran Hunt

Port Stephens: 2.5-Hour Whale Watching & Outer Island Cruise

Port Stephens: 2.5-Hour Whale Watching & Outer Island Cruise - Outer Islands time: dolphins, seabirds, and more whales

Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle

Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle - Eco-Tourism Boat Comfort, Wet Weather Gear, and Real Space to Look

Sydney Whale Watching – 2.5hr Discovery Cruise

Sydney Whale Watching - 2.5hr Discovery Cruise - The onboard approach: live commentary that helps you spot behavior

15.Sydney Whale Watching – 2.5hr Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 120 reviews · from $57

A 2.5-hour Sydney Harbour cruise in season May to Nov to spot humpback whales up close from Darling Harbour, with tea and expert commentary.

“I wish I could write a review but when we arrived at the wharf we were told the tour had been cancelled over a month ago not that I had been told. Rather surprisingly payment was taken 48 hours before the trip was due to take place and I still receiving reminder notifications on the morning of the trip. Disappointing to say the least.”

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