Top New South Wales Whale Watching

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.

Escape the city and see Sydney’s marine life up close on a whale-watching cruise from Darling Harbour. Cruise through Sydney Harbour in search of migrating humpback whales, with live onboard commentary and insights into the local marine environment. A small vessel offers a more intimate experience and better viewing opportunities on the water.

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.

NOVA Cruises pioneered whale watching from Newcastle back in 2006. Join Newcastle's longest running most experienced operator for an unforgettable 2.5-3 Hour ocean voyage and witness the amazing migration of over 25,000 Humpback whales passing Newcastle's scenic coastline. TOUR: Chance to see huge pods of playful dolphins, sea birds, seals, penguins, sharks, & much more. Includes bonus harbour and outer beach tour. Complimentary morning & afternoon tea. Informative commentary & free fact sheets. Licensed bar & snack food available onboard. Fully heated and air-conditioned Indoor & Outdoor viewing areas Best value whale watching in the Hunter!

Many whale-watching tours head straight into open water, but this cruise begins in Sydney Harbour, where you can enjoy breakfast or a barbecue lunch (depending on the option selected). After your meal, sail past sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to the Pacific Ocean, in search of migrating humpback and southern right whales. A naturalist guide provides live commentary along the way, and helps you spot marine life.

Combine sightseeing with wildlife spotting on this Sydney cruise that traverses the harbour and goes out to the open sea. Not only will you search for majestic humpback whales, you’ll also see the skyline and iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water. Enjoy the comfort of the spacious catamaran with indoor and outdoor seating and refreshments for purchase.

Look for wild bottlenose dolphins in the waters of Port Stephens on a dolphin-watching cruise from Nelson Bay. You can also get great photo ops of the Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, and ride in the boomnet (a sturdy net attached to the boat). Learn about the region's abundant marine wildlife as you cruise the waters in comfort on an all-weather boat (indoor and outdoor seating available).

Join us on the region's #1 experience and witness jaw-dropping whale encounters within Cape Byron Marine Park - the only local tour guided by a passionate Marine Biologist. Departing daily from Ballina's Richmond River (May - October), witness the magnificent Humpback Whale migration as thousands pass our coastline. Listen to live whale song through our underwater hydrophone, soak in the stunning scenery, and enjoy expert commentary from our friendly Marine Biologist. Relax aboard our modern eco vessel with spacious seating, 360° views and individual seating, perfect for spotting whales in comfort. We’re so confident you’ll spot a whale that we offer a free return trip if you don’t see one on your first tour! - Daily departures from Ballina during Whale migration season - Guided by a qualified Marine Biologist for expert insights -Live hydrophone whale listening experience - 100% whale sighting guarantee or receive a free return trip - Comfortable eco vessel with 360-degree views

Jump onboard Ocean Extreme's smallest most personal vessel for a unique boutique whale watching experience. This vessel has a capacity of only 12 passengers making it the smallest whale watching tour available in Sydney. Experience the thrill of whale watching on a small RIB, offering an intimate and exhilarating adventure that larger vessels can't match. Our high-speed boat ensures you reach prime whale-watching areas quickly, maximizing your time with these magnificent creatures. The tour is led by an experienced crew who provide informative commentary on the whales' behaviors and the marine environment. This unique combination of speed, comfort, and expert guidance ensures an unforgettable and immersive whale-watching experience.

Experience a close encounter with humpback whales—without having to leave the city—on this thrilling speedboat tour from Sydney. Hop on board the city’s fastest commercial ship and set off across Sydney Harbour, past landmarks such as Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Head out into the Tasman Sea, where you have the chance to spot whales swimming and playing in their natural habitat.

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.

During migration season, humpback whales travel the coastline around Sydney—but to maximize your chances of spotting them, you need to venture out into open water. On this express whale-watching cruise, sail past Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and into the open waters of the Pacific. Once out at sea, keep your eyes peeled as the crew helps you spot pods of whales swimming around the boat.

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.

Get into the Sydney Harbour and look for whales on this two hour group tour, starting from Circular Quay. You’ll have onboard commentary by your captain and crew so you can learn all about the harbor and the wildlife within it. The boat itself has indoor and outdoor seating, and a licenced bar onboard, where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

Board a custom-built adventure boat and head offshore for a unique whale watching tour from Lake Macquarie. Departing from the ocean side of Swansea Bridge, cruise through the Swansea Channel before passing Moon Island in search of Humpback Whales. The migration of humpback whales past the Lake Macquarie Coastline is one of the greatest migrations of any animal on earth. Get up close on board the adventure boat, Hydro, and witness their magnificent behaviours. With water-level views and plenty of space to move around, the eco-tourism vessel is the perfect viewing platform for watching these amazing creatures. Even-better, we're an accredited quality and sustainable tourism operator with a team of experienced wildlife guides. On the way home, cruise past the stunning Lake Macquarie coastline including impressive geological formations around Caves Beach.

With a small group setting of just 27 passengers, you'll enjoy an intimate, up-close encounter with the majestic whales, reaching the open ocean faster than any other tour. Whether you're a thrill-seeker or short on time, our high-speed cruise promises an unforgettable, heart-pounding adventure that’s guaranteed to leave you in awe.

In a small group with a maximum of eight people we will spend 3-4 hours offshore with the Humpback whales. There are over 35,000 Humpbacks on Australia's East coast so sightings are guaranteed although the whales decide if they want to swim with us. Our skipper is highly experienced swimming with whales around the World and is very familiar with identifying happy and curious whale behaviour. Our group size is kept to a minimum of just eight swimmers to increase the chances of a unique and special encounter. Despite their size humpbacks can be shy and large groups of people in the water are definitely not ideal for a good whale interaction. To keep you warm we have 5mm freedive suits with hoods and quality masks and fins. Our boat is fast and comfortable and gets us to the Whales quickly.

Make the most of a day in Sydney by combining wildlife encounters and harbour views in one easy itinerary—without organizing separate tickets or transport. Start with a whale-watching cruise featuring live commentary, then visit Taronga Zoo to see native Australian species up close. Finally, relax on a scenic ferry ride back across Sydney Harbour, taking in skyline views along the way.

Step aboard a traditional tall ship for a sail out of Sydney Harbor in search of migrating whales. Help sail the ship and climb the mast for epic views if you wish; otherwise just relax and keep your eye out for signs of humpback and southern right whales. Over the course of the half-day cruise, you'll learn about whale biology and behavior and dig in to a hearty hot lunch on board.

The Sydney Opera House is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks—but much of it remains hidden to visitors without tickets to a performance. This guided walking tour offers a closer look inside the UNESCO World Heritage–listed building, with access to spaces typically reserved for showgoers. As you explore, your guide shares entertaining stories about the venue’s design, history, and the productions that bring it to life.

Getting from Sydney to the Blue Mountains can be time-consuming if you’re relying on trains and local transport. This day tour connects the region’s highlights without wasting a second of your vacation time. Take in sweeping views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley, experience the rides at Scenic World, and see native wildlife at either Featherdale Wildlife Park or Sydney Zoo before returning with a relaxing cruise along the Parramatta River.

This cruise is unique as it is run on our purpose built vessel Adventure! Adventure is a rigid inflatable hull boat being a low profile vessel which means you get to be closer to the whales! Even better - Adventure cruises at a faster speed than most meaning you spend less time in the harbour and more time with the Whales! Our crew will ensure that you have the most amazing experience possible onboard you Whale Watching tour!

Experience the thrill of whale watching on an exciting 2-hour tour from Ballina, where you’ll witness humpback whales breaching and playing along the stunning New South Wales coast. Join the knowledgeable local crew of Ballina Byron Marine Adventures for an unforgettable journey filled with fascinating commentary about whale behavior and marine life. This tour runs daily with four scheduled departures, ensuring optimal viewing opportunities. Whether you're a family, visitor, or local, this small-group experience guarantees a personal touch and excellent viewing space. - 2-hour guided whale watching tour with close-up encounters - Daily departures at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:30 pm - Sightings of dolphins, turtles, and seabirds possible - Whale sighting guarantee with a complimentary return cruise if no whales are sighted