LAST UPDATE May 2013
Whale watching in Sydney is one of most interesting attractions during winter season. Whale watching season starts in the middle of May. You can go whale watching all winter and spring (May – November) in Sydney. It is not the most tourist season in Sydney, but you should try whale watching if you are visiting the city during this period. Jump to:
Best time for whale watching
Best time of day for whale watching
Best places for whale watching in Sydney
Whale watching tour companies review in Sydney
Humpback whale near Sydney
Best time for whale watching
The whale watching season is quite (May-November) long in Sydney, but it is not always very busy.
Here is chart with weekly whale sightings in Sydney between 2010 and 2012 :
Weekly whale sightings in Sydney 2010-2012
And here is chart with monthly whale sightings in Sydney in 2010-2012:
Monthly whale sightings in Sydney 2010-2012
It is clear visible two peeks in the season. Especially these peaks were distinct last year. In June/July humpback whales migrating North for breeding in the waters of the Coral Sea. From end of September until December they are going back South to the Antarctic feeding ground for the southern hemisphere summer. At this time of year females with new born calves usually are seen closer to the shore. End of June/July and then October is probably the best time of year for whale watching in Sydney.
August looks like quite month in this chart, but is not because there are no whales. It is the middle of winter and sea can be rough and you won’t have much fun to be on the boat, so some whale watching tours were canceled because of weather. Whales are still there, as not all whales migrating like humpback whales. The Southern Right Whales do not migrate North or South, they usually move along the coastline seeking places to mate and shelter with their newborn calfs. This year you even could see Southern Right whales in Sydney harbor:
Southern Right whale in Sydney harbour, July 2012
There are more different kind of whales you can see in Sydney, but are much rare then Humpback whales or Southern Right Whale. Some people are lucky to see very rare Bryde’s whales, killer whales (or else known as Orcas), also False Killer whales, Minke whales. You most likely will see Pacific and Bottlenose dolphins too.
Dolphins in Sydney
Which time of the day is better for whale watching in Sydney?
Five years ago it was huge difference between morning and afternoon sightings as you can see in this chart.
Morning and afternoon whale sightings in Sydney (2006-2009)
It may be was just glitch in sightings recording as by looking to whale sightings of past years (2010-1012) it doesn’t matter when you go.
Morning and afternoon whale sightings in Sydney (2010-2012)
It is almost the same in the morning or afternoon. I think it is because most whales are not staying around Sydney but migrating and you can see them when they passing by and time of day is not so important.
Best places for whale watching in Sydney
Should you take a boat tour for a whale watching? Not everybody can take boat ride, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do whale watching. During nice and calm days there are places where it is possible to see whales from the shore. Only thing you need – binoculars. Best and easy accessible places are North and South heads marked on this map:
View Best places for whale watching in Sydney in a larger map
As there are high cliffs out there and it makes very good place for observation. South Head is my preference, as there is trail along the coast and you can walk almost all way down to Bondi Beach which Southern Right Whales like to visit from time to time.
North Head in Sydney/Manly is good place for coastal whale watching
Besides whale watching from the shore is more ecologically friendly as still there is unknown how boats are affecting whales migration. Marine Mammal Research Group at Macquarie University currently working on a project assess the current whale watching guidelines in Sydney. Actually they have some volunteering positions if somebody interested to join them.
Whale tail seen from South Head in Sydney
While on the coast you can follow whale watching tour boats and it will be easier to spot whales.
Tours
Choose your departure point for prices and time table:
Darling Harbour | Circular Quay | Manly | Sans Souci
Darling Harbour departures
| Time | Adult | Child | Tour operator |
| 8:00 (except Monday) | $65 | $15 | Australian Spirit Sailing Company |
| 8:45 | $75 | $50 | True Blue Cruises |
| 9:15 (weekends) | $80-94* | $50-59* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (3hr Discovery Cruise) |
| 9:45 (weekdays) | $80-94* | $50-59* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (3hr Discovery Cruise) |
| 10:30 | $51-60* | $34-40* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (2hr Adventure Cruise) |
| 12:30 (except Monday) | ? | ? | Australian Spirit Sailing Company |
| 12:45 | $80-94* | $50-59* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (3hr Discovery Cruise) |
| 13:00 | $75 | $50 | True Blue Cruises |
| 14:00 | $51-60* | $34-40* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (2hr Adventure Cruise) |
* – 15% discount for online bookings
Circular Quay departures
| Time | Adult | Child | Tour operator |
| 9:15 | $75 | $50 | True Blue Cruises |
| 9:15 (weekdays) | $80-94* | $50-59* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (3hr Discovery Cruise) |
| 9:45 (weekends) | $80-94* | $50-59* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (3hr Discovery Cruise) |
| 10:00 | $69** | Captain Cook Cruises | |
| 13:15 | $80-94* | $50-59* | Bass and Flinders Cruises (3hr Discovery Cruise) |
| 13:20 | $75 | $50 | True Blue Cruises |
| 14:00 | $69** | Captain Cook Cruises |
* – 15% discount for online bookings
** – year 2012 prices
Manly departures
| Time | Adult | Child | Tour operator |
| 9:45 | $75 | $50 | True Blue Cruises |
| 10:00 (weekends) | $64*** | Adrenalim | |
| 10:30 | $85 | Manly Ocean Adventures | |
| 13:30 (weekends, if morning tour is full) | $64*** | Adrenalin |
*** – price per person for groups of 2
Sans Souci departures
| Time | Adult | Child | Tour operator |
| 9:00 weekends only during June and July, also each day during school holidays 2nd-17th July | $71.5 | $45 | Bass and Flinders Cruises |
Here is a list of whale watching tour operators in Sydney with their no sightings policy and links to their websites:
| Tour operator | No sightings policy |
| Adrenalin | Free trip on the same vessel during the same whale watching season |
| Australian Spirit Sailing Company | ? |
| Bass and Flinders Cruises | Return trip on another cruise in the same year with a return voucher. |
| Captain Cook Cruises | Cruise again in the same season for free on Standby Basis confirmed 24 hours prior subject to availability. |
| Manly Ocean Adventures | Free return trip. |
| True Blue Cruises | Free return trip. |
| It is not actual tour operator, but just others’ tour reseller, so it was removed from the list |
So which company to choose? It depends on you – do want only whale watching or to do something else too, like speed boat ride? Do you stay in the city or in Cronulla or Manly?
One of whale watching tour boats in Sydney
My personal choice was – Bass and Flinders Cruises. They are longest period in this business and also participate in whales research program with Macquarie University, has shore based whale spotters which helps them faster to spot whales. In the sea it looks like all other companies just follow their boats.
Whale watching from the boat, view from South Head in Sydney
One important thing – lower your expectation if you go on whale watching tour. Sometimes whales are more active, sometimes they are not. I was reading some reviews there customers were complaining – they saw not enough whale breaches because ship went back to harbor as the tour time was out. How you can complain about that? Some people won’t be lucky to see a breach even once and it is not the show where you command whales what they should do. So it is better to have low expectation and you definitely will enjoy whale watching – coastal or on boat tour.
Whale sightings numbers for above chart are taken from this page www.whalewatchingsydney.net/whale-sightings. I just decided put numbers into more convenient form.
Southern Right whale in Sydney harbor was taken by Tammy.
Watching Orca’s from a fishing vessel in Alaska is one of the fondest memories I have of being a commercial fisherman. They are truly incredible beautiful creatures. Thanks for reminding me.
Vago, you should go to Caribbean or Tonga to swim(snorkelling) with Humpback Whales, or to Western Australia to swim with Whale Sharks. Did both and that’s indescribable experience, but will try to write more about it in near future.
Great post on whale watching. My favorite time of year. When traveling and selecting a whale watching tour company, I always try to pick one that states they are responsible in how they approach whales. Being as close to a whale may be fun for us, but not necessarily to the whales according to research.
I just took a whale watching tour in Costa Rica and liked the professionalism this operator demonstrated. This page on their website explains how they approach whales and why.
http://costaricawhalewatching.com/Responsible_Whale_Watching.html
Now if we can just keep the Japanese from killing off their whale “research subjects”…
The Philippines also host whale watching activities in Sorsogon. The Whale Sharks are really Gentle Giants. Too bad some people still kill them for their meat!
Didn’t know you could do whale watching safaris from Sydney. Next time…
I didn’t know that you could whale watch from Sydney. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the info. This will be useful for my trip to Sydney
Watching whales is really one of the most unforgettable experience in life. I have also experienced touching whales in the sea. From most whale watching places i found Coolangatta whale watch as one of the adventurous and exciting whale watching Queensland place. They also offer customized tour to suits our needs.
were did you get your info from.
YOUR COOL
ALICE HAYHOE
Hi Alice, on whalewatchingsydney.net site there are daily whale sightings numbers.
wow a 1000 whales have been seen in that time frame, i didnt think there was that many out there..and is that just the humpback
Looks like late June is a great time to be in Sydney if you want to see some whales! I’ve been whalewatching in a few places, they are such beautiful and fascinating creatures. Now I want to go again!
Sara
I always enjoyed watching whales..
Thanks for the info and prices. I’m sure whale watching in Sydney must be awesome!
Great info, and the price list is pretty convenient as well, thanks. Keep up the good work!
I have a plan to Sydney this year, can you give suggestion to me?
I was lucky enough to be down under during whale season last year and saw whales at Coffs Harbour – amazing experience
@Adrian, when you are planning to go to Sydney and what you are into?
Whale watching as well as dolphins make me feel refreshed. I feel like I want to jump in the sea and join them swim. Riding at the back of a dolphin is actually my dream.
I have never been whale watching because there is the risk of paying for a tour while not actually seeing any whales. However, your article has enticed me enough, so next time I am somewhere tropical, I will go whale watching and keep my expectations low.
Oh wow, that is detailed info, thank you for sharing. I would love to go whale watching in Sydney. Had no idea you could do it there!
I think a lot of people don’t know about it.
What an amazing sight those whales are. How did you get such great shots? Well done!
Thanks Cathy. As with all wildlife you need patience and just wait for a good shot.
Great article. Really helpful info. Love the sightings graph.
I lived in Manly for about 2 years and we often saw them moving past. There are some cliffs near Shelly beach which is only about a 5 – 10 minute walk from Manly if you want to get to a vantage point
This is amazing! I think I should really visit Sydney soon, if not for anything else, just for the whales
Alex, you can see whales in US too..It shouldn’t be main reason for going to Sydney
I think you made a very good point about keeping the expectations low because whales are not active all the time.
Sounds like we were in Sydney at the same time – we also went whale-watching then! Great pics! And thanks for your comment on our site
Oh, last time it was 2 years ago I was in Sydney, but I still follow whales there
Thanks for coming by
Maybe I will try what you recommend. Thank you
I have been dolphin watching but not whale watching. I am planning a trip out to OZ next year and I think I may add this to my agenda as I am spending some time in Sydney visiting family.
I went to do whale watching at jervis bay they had some amazing humpbacks but the journey out to the water made me very sick. I strongly recommend taking some anti-sea sickness medication with you.
Great post on whale watching. My favorite time of year. When traveling and selecting a whale watching tour company, I always try to pick one that states they are responsible in how they approach whales. Being as close to a whale may be fun for us, but not necessarily to the whales according to research.
It’s very interesting how our whale watching seasons are polar opposites. Here, whale watching is from November (as early as October) to March. It looks like 2012 has been a great year for you guys too.
One of the best places for land based whale watching – southern rights – is my hometown of Hermanus, near Cape Town in South Africa. Our season ended at the beginning of December and we had over 120 whales frolicking in the bay between August and December. While here are boat tours available, it’s a wonderful experience to witness the excitement on visitors’faces when a whale breaches just offshore. My favourite season of the year!
Neville, yes, I was in Hermanus some years ago and it is perfect place for whale watching in Africa.
Hi, Love your post about whale watching in Sydney and thought I could clarify a few points you raised.
AM vs PM count from 2006-2009 we ran afternoon cruises all year and morning cruises during June July. This gave time for our whale spotters to find the whales first and send the boats straight to the location. The national parks 10year study shows no difference in numbers am- pm.
Our joint research with Macquarie uni has concluded after 4 years. Results are due to be published soon, early indications are that the Australian regs of 100m has very low impact on migrating whale behaviour.
I will forward more details when it is published later this year.
Regards
Richard Ford
Thanks Richard for your comment and I will wait to get that report.
The Philippines also host whale watching activities in Sorsogon.I think you made a very good point about keeping the expectations low
thanks guys
Maybe I will try what you recommend. Thank you
Awesome post of whale. I don’t know it’s real until you tell us.
Watching whales is really one of the most unforgettable experience in life. I have also experienced touching whales in the sea. From most whale watching places i found Coolangatta whale watch as one of the adventurous and exciting whale watching Queensland place. They also offer customized tour to suits our needs.
i was just lucky sufficient to be down below throughout whale season last year and saw whales at coffs harbour – amazing expertise
i’ve bookmarked your article, very useful guide for my future trip to Sidney.