Top New South Wales Whale Watching

Experience a close encounter with humpback whales without having to leave the city on this thrilling 2-hour speedboat tour from Sydney. Hop on-board the city’s fastest commercial ship and blast off across Sydney Harbour, past iconic landmarks like Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Leave the city behind and speed out into the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll have chance to spot majestic whales swimming and playing in their natural environment.

Witness one of nature’s most fascinating phenomenon, the annual humpback whale migration, on this whale-watching cruise from Jervis Bay. Set sail for the crystalline waters of the Jervis Bay Marine Park and get up close to the gentle giants, who migrate to the warm waters of New South Wales between May and November. Enjoy prime viewing opportunities on-board a specially designed catamaran, with the chance to spot bottlenose dolphins, penguins, seals and albatross along the way.

Nature enthusiasts will love getting out of Sydney for half a day on a whale-watching boat trip directly from Darling Harbour. Look out for migrating humpback whales and learn more about the marine environment around Sydney through live on-board commentary. The small vessel allows for a close-up look at the whales.

Cruise the ocean waters to look for humpback and southern right whales as they migrate between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Your whale-watching experience starts from Sydney Harbour and heads to the open ocean on a custom-built catamaran with large viewing windows and spacious decks that provide excellent sightlines. Often, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine animals make an appearance during the whale-watching tour, which lasts a couple of hours.

Enjoy a whale-watching cruise that begins with a breakfast or barbecue lunch onboard the boat while in the calm waters of Sydney Harbour.  After breakfast or lunch, your boat glides past Sydney Head into the Pacific Ocean in search of the humpback and southern right whales that migrate along this coast from May to November. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as you learn about them from your naturalist guide, who provides fascinating commentary about Australian marine life during your tour.

Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House for a fascinating look at this Sydney icon. Your knowledgeable guide leads you through the World Heritage–listed building on a walking tour, sharing entertaining stories about the revered performance center's history and providing access to off-limits parts of the house.

Take in panoramic views of top Sydney landmarks as you cruise through Sydney Harbour en route to Taronga Zoo. Your package includes round-trip cruise from Circular Quay to the zoo as well as admission where you can meet our incredible animals.

Take in views from one of Sydney's best vantage points, the revolving restaurant at Infinity at Sydney Tower, which perches on top of Sydney Tower, 88 stories above the ground. Choose from an à la carte menu to customize your 2- or 3-course meal, enjoying an elegant meal while overlooking the stunning Sydney skyline. This sophisticated restaurant offers an intimate, stylish fine dining experience, with contemporary Australian-French fusion cuisine.

Located on the shoreline of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Taronga Zoo is home to thousands of fascinating animals, including Australian natives such as the koala, kangaroo, and platypus. Check the schedule for daily keeper presentations, or book an animal encounter or guided tour (own expense) for a more in-depth experience.

Experience the majestic World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on a small-group full-day tour from Sydney. Enjoy sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and sites including the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Hop onboard the Scenic Railway (or other rides) at Scenic World, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch (dietary requirements accommodated), and visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see kangaroos and other native Australian critters. Then, cruise by boat back to Sydney Harbour on the Parramatta River.

Maximize your chances of seeing humpback whales by joining this tour from Byron Bay, led by a marine biologist. Head for areas that the whales are known to pass through as they migrate in winter (June–November), watch them as they majestically breach, and listen to them sing by using an underwater hydrophone.

Spot majestic humpback whales swimming and playing in their natural environment during this whale-watching cruise from Sydney. Sail across Sydney Harbour, past the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, to the open waters of the Pacific and get up close to the gentle giants. This seasonal tour runs between May and November, and cruises pick up from either Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.

Book ahead for front-row views of the Hunter Coast and its marine life on this cruise from Newcastle. Save time and avoid missing out by prebooking, and absorb the panoramas as you cruise along the coast. Watch for dolphins, seabirds, and turtles; sail by coastal forts, cliffs, and beaches; and cruise up-close to the caves at Caves Beach, all as a guide shares background. Photos of your trip are included.

Look for wild bottlenose dolphins in the waters of Port Stephens on a 1.5-hour dolphin-watching cruise from Nelson Bay. You can also get great photo ops of the Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, ride in the boomnet, and snack on the provided morning tea. Learn from the guide about the region's abundant marine wildlife as you ride in comfort on an all-weather boat with indoor and outdoor seating.

Discover the joy of coming face to face with majestic humpback whales while cruising across the ocean on a sailing boat on this fun-filled tour from Sydney Harbour. Running between May and November, the annual whale migration is a sight to behold. This small-group sailing tour gives travelers the chance to cruise alongside these incredible creatures without noisy engines or megaphones, so you can enjoy an immersive and wild natural experience.

Enjoy the comforts of a 4-hour luxury whale-watching cruise from Circular Quay in Sydney. Head across Sydney Harbour and past the Sydney Heads into the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean to look for humpback and southern right whales on their migration through the Southern Hemisphere. Your naturalist guide shares informative commentary about the whales throughout your tour. Enjoy an included barbecue lunch buffet served on board and accompanied by unlimited drinks. You’ll travel with a small group limited to 10 people, which provides a more personalized experience.

Experience sailing on our boutique Catamaran. We keep numbers to a minimum to ensure a wonderful experience. Our trained snorkel guides will be in the water with you to point out various Marine Life.

Prebook to save time and see humpback whales in their natural habitat on this whale-spotting cruise from Newcastle. Board an eco-tourism boat and hit the open waters to observe humpbacks in the wild, learning about their natural behaviors via the commentary as the boat maintains a respectful distance. Plus, watch for dolphins and seals, and admire the coastal scenery as you hear details on local landmarks, culture, and history.

Go looking for whales in the Pacific on a whale-watching cruise from Coffs Harbour. Aboard the "Pacific Explorer," you'll journey through Solitary Islands Marine Park to spot humpback whales during their migration. With no assigned seating on the boat, you can spread out on the deck for unobstructed views of the water.

Experience an intimate encounter with whales on this safari-style whale watching tour. Head out into the ocean on small motorized boats, which enable you to get as close to the whales as possible. With just 12 guests, a personalized experience is assured. While seeing the whales, enjoy commentary from an onboard marine naturalist.

Board a speed boat for one of the most exciting and most personal whale-watching experiences in Sydney. You will blast out of Sydney Harbour and offshore into the Tasman Sea on your search for these magnificent creatures. Once located you will have plenty of photo opportunities as you travel alongside the migrating pod. Aboard the the fastest commercial vessel in Sydney, you'll get to the whales quicker than ever before. The completely open design of the vessel, along with its low position in the water, offers the only unparalleled, unobstructed and up close whale-watching experience.

Cape Byron Marine Park is a 37km stretch of coastline that starts at the Brunswick River in the North and extends to Lennox Head in the South. This protected subtropical habitat supports a biodiverse community of marine life including some threatened and protected species. Nestled within the Marine Park and visible from Main Beach in Byron Bay is Julian Rocks, known locally as ‘Nguthungulli’ (pronounced nuth-un-gully), the Arakwal-Bundjalung word meaning ‘Father of the World’. In Aboriginal Dreamtime, Nguthungulli was the creator of land, water, animals and plants. After he created this beautiful place, he chose to rest in a cave at Julian Rocks. Nguthungulli is a sacred site and has been protected for many decades. Its protection has allowed marine life to thrive in the unspoiled turquoise waters that surround the rock formations.

Departing from Circular Quay it takes less than 10 minutes to the open ocean. This trip is perfect for those that only have a limited amount of time or who love that adrenaline rush! One of the fastest, most exciting whale watching adventures in Australia! Whales guaranteed or free return cruise. Up to 27 passengers only Same design as rescue boats One open walk around deck Highspeed with three 250hp engines Purpose built for whale watching Roof and clears to keep the weather out