Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast
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Sydney, Australia
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Learn more than you would on your own with live commentary
- Maximize your chances of spotting whales with a naturalist guide
- Enjoy views of Sydney and its harbor that many other visitors miss
- This tour handily includes breakfast or lunch, plus hot drinks
What's Included
- BBQ buffet lunch or breakfast (depending on departure time selected)
- Tea and Coffee
- Live commentary on board
- Humpback whale watching
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Sydney Princess CruisesEastern Pontoon, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Eastern Pontoon, Eastern side of Circular Quay (same side as Opera House) The pontoon is located in front of Searock Grill Restaurant Please check in 15-30 minutes before departure time
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Make your way independently to King Street Wharf to board your whale-watching vessel. Group numbers are capped, providing space to move comfortably between the indoor cabin and outdoor viewing decks throughout the cruise.
Begin the experience in the sheltered waters of Sydney Harbour, where you can settle in and enjoy a buffet breakfast or barbecue lunch on board. As you cruise past the waterfront, take photos of landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison.
After your meal, continue past coastal highlights including Manly Beach, Watsons Bay, and The Gap before exiting the harbor and entering the Pacific Ocean.
From May to November, humpback and southern right whales migrate along this stretch of coastline between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. During this period, you may observe behaviors such as breaching, tail slapping, and surface spouting. A naturalist-guide provides live commentary, sharing insights into whale migration patterns, marine ecosystems, and other wildlife that may appear, including dolphins and seabirds.
While whale sightings are highly likely during the season, marine wildlife remains unpredictable. If no whales are spotted during your cruise, you are eligible to return on another whale-watching tour at no additional cost, subject to availability.
Begin the experience in the sheltered waters of Sydney Harbour, where you can settle in and enjoy a buffet breakfast or barbecue lunch on board. As you cruise past the waterfront, take photos of landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Fort Denison.
After your meal, continue past coastal highlights including Manly Beach, Watsons Bay, and The Gap before exiting the harbor and entering the Pacific Ocean.
From May to November, humpback and southern right whales migrate along this stretch of coastline between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. During this period, you may observe behaviors such as breaching, tail slapping, and surface spouting. A naturalist-guide provides live commentary, sharing insights into whale migration patterns, marine ecosystems, and other wildlife that may appear, including dolphins and seabirds.
While whale sightings are highly likely during the season, marine wildlife remains unpredictable. If no whales are spotted during your cruise, you are eligible to return on another whale-watching tour at no additional cost, subject to availability.
1
Sydney Harbour Bridge
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (Pass By)
Manly Beach (Pass By)
Sydney Harbour (Pass By)
Watsons Bay (Pass By)
Oz Whale Watching (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- We suggest all guests to please bring motion sickness medication, our policy is better safe than sorry.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Please dress appropriately with comfortable shoes and warm clothing depending on the time of the year
- Service animals allowed
- Please bring a camera and sun protection
- Available May - November (Whale Watching Season here in Sydney)
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 96 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 930 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
When we checked in for our tickets, it was recommended to get motion sickness pills and majority of the boat did not do so! The gentleman at the ticket counter said the swells were 1-2 m however, that was not the case! The swells were more like 4-5 m and the weather was cloudy with a chance for some rain in the afternoon. That rain started about halfway through our excursion. The sound of people vomiting on the boat was awful! You have to vomit in a throw-away bag, or I guess over the side of the boat, but not in a bathroom. Fresh air will make people feel better but several just stayed seated inside which I think makes it worse. My husband and I dressed for the weather and spent most of the time outside of the interior portion of the boat. Neither of us got sick, and the rain did come. The whales however started performing more and coming out of the water and breaching high up…it was magnificent!!! The company served breakfast prior to going out but for anyone who has any sort of seasickness, don’t eat!! The open sea water is NO JOKE!! Overall, seeing whales in the open water and just getting to see them as you would on a nature documentary was just amazing and I would do it again! We also had some dolphins that came up literally within a meter of the boat and were jumping through the waves and playing! Also note - you may get wet if standing on the lower level on the side of the boat as the waves splash up.
Service is average , food is bad. Staff are pretty friendly. All the way everyone vomiting, especially children. I would never go with this kind of cruise
This was an excellent experience. I cannot over hype this. The entire crew was excellent. Devlin our vocal guide was so informative and personable and made the entire experience a delight. We saw a lot of humpback whales frolicking in the water for the majority of the time we were out. Please wear a seasick patch. A lot of people got very sick. But my family and I were patched up and we got to enjoy the full experience.
Loved it! Such a great whale-watching experience. The buffet was good, and the staff were very organised and friendly. Everything ran smoothly and we had a really enjoyable time!
We visited on Sept 23, 2026 and were delighted to see many whales so close to the boat! The commentary was very informative!
Amazing experience! The guide was super knowledgeable and we saw whales in under an hour. Will highly recommend.
It didn't start off too well. The ground staff were unorganised. People were getting confused with the lunch 2hr cruise and telling people doing the whale watching to get on when it was the one before the whale watching Cruise. Apart from that it was great. The food was fresh. The onboard staff were fantastic and the commentary was great.
Make sure you bring your sunscreen, hat and sunnies. Make sure your camera is ready for some great shots. So much fun.
A fabulous experience. The cruise was well organised, with a nice lunch and fabulous commentary from Devlin. And we saw whales!!
It was a great experience, but since it is too wavy it made us sick as a family. Highly recommend that you have seasick tablets before the trip. Of course this detail has nothing to do with the company. They hosted us great and saw lots of whales!
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.
We were 2 adults and 3 kids. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Staff were friendly and super helpful. The travel guide Delvin was very knowledgeable and keen to share everything he knows.
Incredible experience. Seeing humpback whales close up has been on my bucket list of decades. Great trip, informative but non intrusive commentary. I didn’t take many pictures because I was too busy just watching these magnificent creatures. The food was ok, wasn’t expecting much from this type of trip but it did exceed expectations, good mix of healthy and more stodgy options on the buffet. Staff were knowledgeable and helpful throughout. Would thoroughly recommend and would consider going with them again is I get the opportunity
The crew tries really hard to get the sightings. We had 4 separate sightings. The food is average but good for the time.
It was a wonderful experience. We watched a juvenile whale doing its thing during migration. I recommend this tour.
If you easily get seasick, even if you take medication before the trip, think twice before booking this! The swells in this part of the Pacific Ocean are no joke. 🌊😂
When we finally found the whales, the waves got even crazier, and I, along with tens of others, became sick chorale! 😂
I had my head down for most of the trip, but somehow managed to lift it up once and saw a fin… and that was it. Straight back to my date with the sick bag. 🤣
At least I got to see a fin. Hahaha! 🐋
The princes crew were great. Very helpful and we left on time. The lunch was delicious and we got to see several whales.
Fabulous friendly staff
Delicious food
Best harbour in the world
The sun was shining
Enjoyed my day very much
The crew was excellent. Special thanks to Elizabeth who seemed to be everywhere helping everyone. Kudos to all.
Travelled all the way into the city and paid to park at The Opera House. Picked up our tickets and them headed back to wharf at boarding time only to be told the trip had been cancelled.
Have had zero communication with regard to a refund. Rebooking is not an option due to family heading back to UK.
Extremely disappointing!
We did see whales in our trip….Trip is 4 hrs with at least 2.5 hrs in the middle of the ocean looking out for the whales…. Worth it !
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there,
This is amazing to hear you saw whales on your trip!
Thank you!
Amazing food and experience , able to get good view of whales. Crew members was very knowlegable and helpful
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there,
Awesome you got to see whales with us and enjoyed our friendly and knowledgeable crew!
Thank you!
Excellent - great crew, nice lunch, excellent weather - and the whales were so lovely. A really wonderful day. Thank you.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there,
So great that you spotted whales on your cruise enjoyed lunch and our crew's hospitality!
Thank you!
It was an amazing experience! I got to see so many whales! I would recommend trying to find a place near the edge of the boat right away, because it gets so crowded and difficult to see/video.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Alyssa,
Awesome to hear you got to see whales on your cruise! Thanks for joining us!
Excellent Guide and explanation, crew knew where to sail to experience the sights. Food served on board was excellent in taste and variety
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there,
Awesome to hear you enjoyed your cruise, from the guide, sights and excellent food!
Thank you!
An absolutely incredible whale watching experience! From start to finish, everything was great. The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and informed throughout the trip. Seeing the whales up close in their natural habitat was truly breathtaking and something I’ll never forget. The boat was clean, well-organized, and the entire excursion felt safe and well-run. If you’re considering a whale watching tour, I highly recommend this one—it exceeded all expectations!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Robin, thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear your whale watching experience exceeded your expectations. It's wonderful that you enjoyed seeing the whales, appreciated our friendly team and felt comfortable throughout the trip. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable adventure!
Great view of the harbor and opera house!! Great food at buffet!! Great and fairly close views of breaching whales. Even saw some seabirds.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Neville, thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted you enjoyed the beautiful harbour and Opera House views, the delicious buffet, and the incredible sight of so many whale breaches. It’s wonderful to hear you also spotted seabirds along the way. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back for another memorable whale watching experience soon!
Everything ran smoothly for this trip. Although there were warnings about getting seasick pills, I have never been sea sick on many boat trips around the world (take the advice about seasick pills) before. Weather was a little rough, and the lunch was excellent. So excellent I had two plate fulls. The boat was heaving in the waves then saw whales surfacing and took a video. Then it began, running to the puke bag(s). Maybe should not have had two plates full of lunch! Good afternoon experience and saw whales experience and three full bags, done.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Marat, thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad everything ran smoothly and that you enjoyed seeing the whales and our lunch. The ocean can certainly be unpredictable, and your story gave us a smile! We're pleased the whale sightings made the trip worthwhile and hope to welcome you back on calmer seas for another adventure.
Easy boarding process. Wholesome breakfast and hot drinks. We saw several whales, including a mother and her playful calf and two male whales. During the tour a pleasant staff member discussed regional and whale facts through the overhead speaker. Sometimes the speaker was a bit patchy, but i understood what was being said. Clear directions on what side of the boat to load for whales.
During the booking process, the company warns you several times that the waters can be rough. The boat has to travel far out of the harbor to see the whales. They recommend using seasickness medication in their notifications as well. There are several convenience stores along the pier, directly across from the boarding ramp, that sell the over the counter seasickness medications if you forget to buy some beforehand.
Even during the tour, they recommend sitting in the back of the boat where the ride feels less rough if you are prone to be impacted by the waves. That and give the instructions to use the seasickness medication before departure because it doesn’t work if you are already sick. Bags are readily available if that fails.
Wild animals are also unpredictable. I was happy with how many whales we saw. Further, I’m glad that the boat crew stayed a respectable distance away. We still saw plenty of tail breeches and the hump of the humpback.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Tanya,
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your whale watching experience and were fortunate enough to see several whales, including a mother and calf.
We truly appreciate your understanding of the conditions at sea and the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters. Our team is always committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and respectful whale watching experience while helping guests make the most of their time on the water.
Thank you for cruising with us, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon for another unforgettable adventure.
We had a fabulous experience with Oz Whale Watching, despite the weather and sea condition being less than ideal. The very friendly staff advised on anti sea sickness tablets and did everything in their power to minimise everyone's discomfort. The food was lovely, the boat was in perfect condition and the marine guide shared lots of interesting information about whales and dolphins when we encountered (plenty) along the way.
The bathrooms were immaculate and we were able to enjoy a very comfortable trip. The boat type was ideal for this type of service and everyone on board was so friendly. We will definitely be reccommending them.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Martina, thank you for your wonderful and detailed review! We're delighted to hear you had such a fabulous experience despite the challenging weather and sea conditions. It’s fantastic to know you enjoyed the food, vessel, and informative commentary, and that our team helped make your journey as comfortable as possible. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
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$59.91
per personWas $63.06(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast
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