Sydney
Whale watching out of Sydney is a proper open-ocean outing, and I’ve split this list by boat size and trip length. Humpbacks pass the coast from roughly May to November, with mothers and calves hugging the shoreline on the late-season run south. Smaller boats sit closer to the water; bigger ones handle swell better.
Experience close-up encounters with humpback whales on a 165-minute Sydney cruise, complete with expert guides, panoramic views, and onboard amenities.
Most Popular★ 4.2“Excellent my granddaughter was beside herself with excitement”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,790 reviews2.8 hoursFrom $63by Sydney Harbour Attractions
Experience Sydney’s stunning harbor and whale migration with this cruise, featuring onboard meals, expert commentary, and guaranteed whale sightings.
★ 4.5“The tour is very well-run. Knowledgeable staff. Great food. We saw tons of whales. Highly recommend.”
★★★★★★★★★★
878 reviewsFrom $74.59by Sydney Princess Cruises
Witness majestic whales in Sydney's waters on a 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise, where nature's beauty unfolds in unexpected ways.
★ 4.2“Out of this world!! On our cruise we saw about 10 whales, three of which we stayed close to for about an hour (of course, at a safe and respectable distance away from them!). The guides were incredibly knowledgeable about the whales and their habits,…”
★★★★★★★★★★
756 reviews2 hoursFrom $63by Fantasea Cruising Sydney
Experience the thrill of spotting majestic whales up close on a thrilling boat trip in Sydney. Don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure! Click now.
★ 5.0“It's been a wonderful experience, Mette and Rex Alex did a wonderful job. We were in the top front of the boat and had great views of the whales. Before starting the trip they told us that the sea was choppy and the weather windy,…”
★★★★★★★★★★
571 reviewsFrom $99.70by Whale Tales
Discover Sydney’s whales aboard a fast, purpose-built catamaran with panoramic views, friendly guides, and ample whale sightings—an authentic marine adventure.
★ 4.2“we did the afternoon whale watching cruise it was thought was so two of our four people backed out preferring to go milder seas it was hard to see any whales because it was so choppy we managed to find one who put on a…”
★★★★★★★★★★
402 reviews2.5 hoursFrom $63by Fantasea Cruising Sydney
Experience breathtaking whale sightings with Sydney Whale Watching Cruise, combined with delicious breakfast or lunch, all in a relaxed 4-hour tour.
★ 4.4“Had a lovely day, managed to spot a couple of Whales, Dolphins and Seals”
★★★★★★★★★★
340 reviews4 hoursFrom $70by Sydney Princess Cruises
Experience close-up whale sightings in Sydney Harbour on a 3-hour scenic cruise with expert guides, stunning views, and guaranteed whale encounters.
★ 4.6“Amazing! We saw about 8 whales, two of which came right up to our boat. Even the ride on the boat (before we saw whales) was fun. Loved every minute.”
★★★★★★★★★★
318 reviews3 hoursFrom $45by Barefoot Whale watching Sydney
Experience the thrill of Sydney whale-watching like never before! Hop on a speed boat and witness these majestic creatures up close. Book your adventure today!
★ 5.0“This has probably been the best experience of our travels around Australia, and is likely to stay that way. We were lucky enough to see a large number of whales breaching and tail slapping with our guide giving the whales sufficient space, bRead more”
★★★★★★★★★★
314 reviewsFrom $92.52by Ocean Extreme
Experience Sydney’s winter migration season with a 2.5-hour whale watching cruise featuring stunning harbour views, expert guides, and 95% whale sighting guarantee.
★ 4.3“we saw a whale right away and followed it for a while. While following we saw many more. Our guides were very knowledgeable and spotted the whales right away.”
★★★★★★★★★★
300 reviews2.5 hoursFrom $67by Captain Cook Cruises
Experience Sydney’s iconic sights and majestic humpback whales on a small-group, 2.5-hour ocean tour that combines stunning views with expert insights.
★ 4.6“Not only was this tour excellent value for money but having never done a whale watching tour in Sydney before we were extremely lucky to see some humpbacks! Betty, Alex and Rex were fantastic crew and looked after everyone very well.”
★★★★★★★★★★
240 reviews2.5 hoursFrom $98by Whale Tales
Experience the thrill of whale-watching in Sydney! Join our Circular Quay or Darling Harbour Cruise in 2024 for an unforgettable encounter with these magnificent creatures.
★ 4.0“The ferry ride. But not happy there wasn't much whales or went up close to us. Too expensive for little whale watching experience (not many whales)”
★★★★★★★★★★
120 reviewsFrom $57.63by Fantasea Cruising Sydney
Experience the thrill of whale watching in Sydney on our 2hr Express Cruise. Get up close to these majestic creatures. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!
★ 4.0“The activity was exactly as described, a 2 hour whale watch. We saw several whales and even witnessed some breaching. Good to have many eyes on the seas. We had a relatively calm day so didn't see any issues. Was both fun and Read more”
★★★★★★★★★★
61 reviewsFrom $57.72by Fantasea Cruising Sydney
Experience Sydney’s wildlife and marine wonders with a whale watching cruise and Taronga Zoo combo—guaranteed whale sightings, stunning scenery, and engaging animal encounters.
★ 4.2“I always appreciate safety and observing the rules of how to behave in nature and wild environments - and that was well taken care of. I know wild animals are not on cue and no one really knows what may or may not happen. However,…”
★★★★★★★★★★
37 reviews1 dayFrom $95by Captain Cook Cruises
Experience whale watching in Sydney with a 2 hr 45 min cruise offering stunning harbor views, wildlife sightings, and a comfortable boat ride for just $63.83.
★ 4.5“Even though the seas were a little rough it was really worth the trip, we saw lots of whales, they put a real show on for us. It was amazing”
★★★★★★★★★★
29 reviewsFrom $63.83by Sydney Harbour Whale Watching
Experience the thrill of whale watching in Sydney aboard a sailing boat. Get up close to these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Book your adventure now!
★ 5.0“What a wonderful whale watching experience we had with Captain Doug!! He was kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and we were able to catch about 10 whale sightings! His boat was clean and safe. We enjoyed his company, the tour and informRead more”
★★★★★★★★★★
28 reviewsFrom $71.01by Charterscene
Sydney runs on its harbour, and I've spent years finding the best ways onto, over and around it.