Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Whale Sighting Guarantee

4.25

4.3(222 reviews)

2 hours 30 minutes

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 9 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

See magnificent humpback and southern right whales at play on a Sydney whale-watching cruise. From Circular Quay, this open-water cruise will take you through the entrance of Sydney Harbour and into the open Pacific in search of whales. The open-air viewing decks on board the catamaran offer unobstructed views and the best opportunities for spotting and watching the whales. Getting up close to these gentle giants of the sea is an awe-inspiring experience that you don’t want to miss. With record numbers of whales due to pass along Sydney's coastline this migration season, there are sure to be plenty of sightings and great photo opportunities!

This activity is seasonal, operating from mid-May to early-Novemeber each year.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please dress appropriately and wear warm clothing. It will often feel cooler at sea

If you are susceptible to travel sickness, please bring the relevant medication

Whale Guarantee: If a whale is not sighted during your cruise, you'll be given the opportunity to cruise again for free within the same season

Reconfirmation Hotline - Call +61-2-8062 3623 from 7.15am on the day of your cruise to confirm the cruise is going ahead. Cruises may be cancelled subject to weather conditions.

Whale Watching Child Policy: Infants 0-3 years are not recommended. Child fare available for Children 4-15 years. Minimum of one supervising adult for every four children is required.

Not recommended for travelers 3 years and younger

What To Expect

Whale Watching cruises are an extraordinary opportunity to see the gentle giants of the sea on their annual migration, and with our Whale Sighting Guarantee, we either spot whales - or you cruise again for free! Your cruise begins from Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour and makes its way past the Opera House, the beautiful eastern suburbs and outside the Harbour headlands to open water. Southern Right, Orca and Minke Whales all visit Sydney's coastline, but it's the Humpbacks that come in great numbers and love to show off with breaches, tail slaps and even a sneaky wink when they are feeling extra curious.

Options

Whale Watching - AM

Departs 9:30am

Whale Watching - PM

Departs 1:30pm

What‘s Included

2.5 Hour Whale Watching Cruise

Live commentary on board

Food and drinks (available to purchase)

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.25

222 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

140

Superb
Prashant T,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a fantastic time. Thankfully it was a sunny day, we got to see multiple whale breaches and two pods of Dolphins swam right up to us. Saw several whale tales too. And our guide was positively hilarious. Strongly recommend this activity.
Choose a better boat
Louise W,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00
The boat was one of the harbour hop on/off ferries - it had no shelter on the top deck, the lower level had limited covered outside space and the interior is a fully seated area, no access to stand near windows. The interior is not well ventilated and by the end smelt of vomit. Fortunately it was not too rough a day but it was chilly, with significant wind and rainy and very cold to remain on the top deck. The captain and commentator did a good job but it simply was a bad vessel for this purpose and NOT a purpose specific vessel as advertised. CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE CRUISE PROVIDER.
Choose a different company!
isabelles861,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
The pictured boat on the adds was not the boat provided! This was a bad experience because the boat was one of the little harbour hop on/off ferry catamarans NOT a purpose designed boat. It was thankfully quite a calm day but it did rain and some wind - there was NO shelter on the top deck and limited covered outdoor space on the lower area - inside all seats were used & it became SMELLY as the trip went on. From the inside lower area the windows do not provide a good whale viewing option as some height is preferable and there are seats adjacent. This type of ferry is NOT suitable for ocean whale watching. The 2 stars are for the Captain and Commentory staff who worked hard to try to improve the experience.
Amazing experience,...
Sanjana K,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing experience, really funny host, the weather we had on our specific date was a cherry on top 10/10
So many whales!
Marianne S,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We went out about 25 minutes into the sea. We were in the 1:30 tour. There were a lot of whales. The tour guide, Bianca, was so excited. She is there every day and said it’s unusual for them to be so close to the boat. We had a fantastic time. We brought our own water and snacks and there were bathrooms on board. There was an open air top part to the boat and a lower enclosed area with windows so you could choose your level of comfort. They also provided just in case bags. I’m not aware of anyone getting sick on the tour but we were told it is common. I took a Bonine before we boarded, so I did not get sick. I would 100% recommend this tour. Both Bianca and another employee Luca were great and they shared the passengers excitement and enthusiasm when seeing the whales. (As well as the captain.)
Great knowledge-able...
Spencer A,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great knowledge-able commentary with a good mix of humour. Our particular group was very involved and chatty which helped the experience. Absolutely worth it
A whale show!
Ana V,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Truly an incredible experience! I know we got extremely lucky because we saw many whale breaches during our tour but just really was amazing. The commentary throughout was very interesting and educational. Absolutely loved it!
Whale watching
jackie H,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Whale watching,imformative,knowledge was outstanding,funny and most enjoyable The fact that if we didnt see wecould return was fab.
Whale watching in Australia, May 2026
Sharon D,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Thank goodness I didn't throw up. Lots of people were throwing up. It was really gross. We did see a lot of siteings of whales though. It was a very rewarding experience. If the man, women, and child sitting behind my hadn't been throwing up most of the experience it would have been a good morning. All I could do to not get sick, become a propriety.
Tragic cruise in poor weather with zero marine life - not even a dolphin
Becky W,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
They took us out in very rough seas. About 40% of the boat got sick. One woman was so sick that they took us to another dock instead of Sydney circular quay and we had to find our way back to Sydney. No sea life at all not even a dolphin. No refunds given after multiple requests. It was such a terrible experience.

From

A$90.00

Check availability

Related Experiences

Operated by Captain Cook Cruises

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Whale Sighting Guarantee

4.25

4.3(222 reviews)

2 hours 30 minutes

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 9 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

This activity is seasonal, operating from mid-May to early-Novemeber each year.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please dress appropriately and wear warm clothing. It will often feel cooler at sea

If you are susceptible to travel sickness, please bring the relevant medication

Whale Guarantee: If a whale is not sighted during your cruise, you'll be given the opportunity to cruise again for free within the same season

Reconfirmation Hotline - Call +61-2-8062 3623 from 7.15am on the day of your cruise to confirm the cruise is going ahead. Cruises may be cancelled subject to weather conditions.

Whale Watching Child Policy: Infants 0-3 years are not recommended. Child fare available for Children 4-15 years. Minimum of one supervising adult for every four children is required.

Not recommended for travelers 3 years and younger

What To Expect

Options

Whale Watching - AM

Departs 9:30am

Whale Watching - PM

Departs 1:30pm

What‘s Included

2.5 Hour Whale Watching Cruise

Live commentary on board

Food and drinks (available to purchase)

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.25

222 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

140

Superb
Prashant T,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a fantastic time. Thankfully it was a sunny day, we got to see multiple whale breaches and two pods of Dolphins swam right up to us. Saw several whale tales too. And our guide was positively hilarious. Strongly recommend this activity.
Choose a better boat
Louise W,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00
The boat was one of the harbour hop on/off ferries - it had no shelter on the top deck, the lower level had limited covered outside space and the interior is a fully seated area, no access to stand near windows. The interior is not well ventilated and by the end smelt of vomit. Fortunately it was not too rough a day but it was chilly, with significant wind and rainy and very cold to remain on the top deck. The captain and commentator did a good job but it simply was a bad vessel for this purpose and NOT a purpose specific vessel as advertised. CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE CRUISE PROVIDER.
Choose a different company!
isabelles861,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
The pictured boat on the adds was not the boat provided! This was a bad experience because the boat was one of the little harbour hop on/off ferry catamarans NOT a purpose designed boat. It was thankfully quite a calm day but it did rain and some wind - there was NO shelter on the top deck and limited covered outdoor space on the lower area - inside all seats were used & it became SMELLY as the trip went on. From the inside lower area the windows do not provide a good whale viewing option as some height is preferable and there are seats adjacent. This type of ferry is NOT suitable for ocean whale watching. The 2 stars are for the Captain and Commentory staff who worked hard to try to improve the experience.
Amazing experience,...
Sanjana K,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing experience, really funny host, the weather we had on our specific date was a cherry on top 10/10
So many whales!
Marianne S,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We went out about 25 minutes into the sea. We were in the 1:30 tour. There were a lot of whales. The tour guide, Bianca, was so excited. She is there every day and said it’s unusual for them to be so close to the boat. We had a fantastic time. We brought our own water and snacks and there were bathrooms on board. There was an open air top part to the boat and a lower enclosed area with windows so you could choose your level of comfort. They also provided just in case bags. I’m not aware of anyone getting sick on the tour but we were told it is common. I took a Bonine before we boarded, so I did not get sick. I would 100% recommend this tour. Both Bianca and another employee Luca were great and they shared the passengers excitement and enthusiasm when seeing the whales. (As well as the captain.)
Great knowledge-able...
Spencer A,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great knowledge-able commentary with a good mix of humour. Our particular group was very involved and chatty which helped the experience. Absolutely worth it
A whale show!
Ana V,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Truly an incredible experience! I know we got extremely lucky because we saw many whale breaches during our tour but just really was amazing. The commentary throughout was very interesting and educational. Absolutely loved it!
Whale watching
jackie H,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Whale watching,imformative,knowledge was outstanding,funny and most enjoyable The fact that if we didnt see wecould return was fab.
Whale watching in Australia, May 2026
Sharon D,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Thank goodness I didn't throw up. Lots of people were throwing up. It was really gross. We did see a lot of siteings of whales though. It was a very rewarding experience. If the man, women, and child sitting behind my hadn't been throwing up most of the experience it would have been a good morning. All I could do to not get sick, become a propriety.
Tragic cruise in poor weather with zero marine life - not even a dolphin
Becky W,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
They took us out in very rough seas. About 40% of the boat got sick. One woman was so sick that they took us to another dock instead of Sydney circular quay and we had to find our way back to Sydney. No sea life at all not even a dolphin. No refunds given after multiple requests. It was such a terrible experience.