Top Sydney Whale Watching

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.

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

4 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Whale Watching Sailing Experience in Sydney

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Whale Sighting Guarantee

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.

Whale Watching on OSPREY Speed Boat with canopy from SYD Harbour

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.

Sydney Whale-Watching on EXTREME Speed Boat

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.

Sydney Whale Watching - 2.5hr Discovery Cruise

Whale Watching Sydney 2-Hour Express Cruise

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.

Sydney Whale Watching on ORCA Small RIB

Cruise Details • 2.5hr whale watching cruise on modern 24m catamaran with two levels of outside viewing areas. • Travel to the open ocean in under 35 minutes. Minimal time in the harbour, maximum time with whales. • Informative commentary is provided by experienced crew. • Free coffee & tea is available in the harbour & during suitable offshore conditions. • Drinks and snacks are available for purchase at an onboard bar. • Whales Guaranteed: If no whales are seen on the first cruise, a free return voucher is issued. Conditions apply. Departure Times • Darling Harbour – Aquarium Wharf: 9:45, 13:00 • Check Fare Harbor for cruise availability and departure times

Sydney Harbour Whale Watching Experience

Whale Watching & Taronga Zoo Cruise Package - Sydney Harbour

1 dayFree Cancellation

Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise Morning or Afternoon Departure

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

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.

Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour

1 hourFree Cancellation

4.7

(4,208)

from $36

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.

Depart Syd: Blue Mountains Best All Inclusive with Local Guide

Depart Syd: Blue Mountains Best All Inclusive with Local Guide

10 hoursFree Cancellation

Visit your choice of two, three or four of Sydney’s top attractions with the convenient and economical Sydney combo pass. Choose from a list of four options: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye or Madame Tussauds Sydney. The Sydney Tower Eye observation deck offers sweeping views over Sydney Harbour and the city. The zoo and aquariums feature an amazing array of native Australian wildlife. Pose for photos with life-like wax statues of your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds.

Sydney Attractions Pass: SEA LIFE Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Zoo and Madame Tussauds

30 to 60 daysFree Cancellation

4.3

(298)

from $35

Join a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by double-decker bus to discover the highlights of Sydney and Bondi Beach. Enjoy unobstructed views and recorded onboard commentary as you travel along two routes to top destinations including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach. Go in-depth wherever you like by hopping off the bus to explore. Experience the city’s most noteworthy attractions at your own pace.

Sydney and Bondi Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Cruise

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Amazing and awe inspiring private whale watching for you and up to 34 friends or family. You will view the giant humpback whales from the amazing deck space, custom wing stations and swim platform. Nature and adventure make this a truly unforgettable experience our vessel has an cabin, comfortable couches and custom built viewing areas. We can Pick you up and drop you off from many locations around Sydney Harbour, it is around a 2 1/2 Hour trip with a maximum of 34 passengers.

Private Luxury Intimate Whale Watching

Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Whale & Sail - Whale Watching Cruise

Whale Watching & Hop On Hop Off Sydney Harbour Explorer Cruise

2 daysFree Cancellation

Sydney Harbour Whale Watching Private Tour - up to 8 guests

Sydney Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

Must-Dos in Sydney

1 / 2

What are people saying about Sydney

Melody_X, Sep 2026

Really enjoyed the whale...

Really enjoyed the whale watching trip! The crew were super friendly and the commentary was great. They also did a really good job moving and turning the boat around so everyone got a chance to see the whales, which we really appreciated. We had a great time and would definitely recommend it!

Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

HOSHUN_C, Sep 2026

Great your even when whales are not as active.

We lucked out with the waters being relatively calm so there was a lower risk of sea sickness. Even so the tour operator assured us that there were entry of sick bags on hand. The tour itself was fun and informative. Even though we didn't quite get to see as many whales as we had initially thought we accept that with nature things will be unpredictable. The tour operator did a fantastic job with spotting whales and keeping up with them once they have been sighted. They kept a respectable distance from the animals and yet close enough for us to take good pictures of our own. To be honest, it was enough for me to have been able to see such creatures in the wild even if they don't fully jump out of the water to greet us (please don't have this expectation when you go on any whale watching tours). Highly recommend this tour and would love to go again at a different time. For the record we went at 12noon.

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

Alisa_L, Sep 2026

All aboard

DRAMAMINE, DRAMAMINE, DRA-MA-MINE!!! They mention it multiple times. Do not take it as a suggestion, it’s a must. You’re dealing with Mother Nature and it’s better safe than sorry. Now for the stuff you came for, the experience. We didn’t get full shows of whales but a few flukes, dorsal fins, blows and a pod of dolphins on the horizon. The buffet had a good selection of food: chicken and sausage, veggies and pastas. Alcohol can be purchased on board. Overall I enjoyed my time on the water.

Whale Watching Sailing Experience in Sydney

Penny_B, Sep 2026

Intimate while watching tour!

We had a wonderful experience in this intimate while watching tour! The whales were a little sparse the day we went, so we didn’t see a large number of them, but that didn’t take away from the experience at all. being on a smaller boat made the trip feel much more personable and enjoyable, and we absolutely loved our time out on the water. We went during the winter so it was definitely wet and chilly. We were provided wet weather gear, which was nice. And the tea they offered at the end of the trip was such a thoughtful and appreciated touch. I would definitely recommend this tour.

Sydney Attractions Pass: SEA LIFE Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye, WILD LIFE Zoo and Madame Tussauds

paul_g, Jun 2026

Great experience, highly recommend to do!:)

It was GREAT! Loved the experience, all three of the aquarium, museum, and wildlife exhibit was amazing! You were able to interact with the animals as well as interact with the characters in the museum. It was like nothing I had ever done before, definitely a must do in Sydney..