Sydney Whale Watching Cruise from Circular Quay
Overview
Available languages
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
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. 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 - PM
Departs 1:30pm
Whale Watching - AM
Departs 9:30am
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
214 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Whale watching
jackie H,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Whale 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
5.00Thank 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
1.00They 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.
Waste of time
Boyd H,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00I’d love to tell you about the experience but unfortunately we turned up to find that the trip had been cancelled two days prior due to poor conditions. I received no communication other than notifications about where to meet and at what time. We went to the tour operator kiosk to find out what had happened and were told they’d notified Viator two days ago. Viator sent no cancellation email and made no effort to tell us not to travel. No refund offered either. A completely wasted morning out of the few we had available, having travelled from the UK. Won’t use Viator again and wouldn’t recommend them to anyone else.
LOVELY CUSTOMER SERVICE
N9823OScolleenr,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We wish to say “thank you” to Martin who went over and beyond his required Customer Skills to assist us booking a whale watching trip for our family over the phone. He was obliging, efficient and accommodating in many ways with completing the purchase. There should be more Martins in the world. A real asset to Fantasea Ferries. Thanks so much. 😀
Whales non existent
Jarnell T,May 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Spend your money at your risk! Best thing to come out of this tour was the people I met... we saw 4-5 whales but they barely stuck their heads and tales out the water... and it was for less than a second. So the photo of their full bodies hoping out of the water on the viators tour photo is false advertisement. The most you'll see is their backs or tales slightly poking from out the water from a distance once every 20 minutes.
No whale in sight.
Bruchtal R,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Unfortunately, I did not see a single whale, so it was a complete waste of time. For the money, I would have preferred to take the ferry to Manly and have a nice meal in a restaurant with my wife after a walk there.
Enjoyable
claracZ58DO,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The guide was good and she was enthusiastic in talking about the whales. We got to see 3 whales but the ferry was too far from them. However, my husband and I clearly heard the sounds made by whales n that was a bonus.
While the trip indicates...
Isabel I,Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00While the trip indicates you can sign up for a free ride if you do not see any whales- that doesn’t help someone like me from out of the country and likely to not have another time to do this. We did not see any whales on this trip.
Beautiful experience in Sidney
Silvia T,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was quite nice and we managed to see a little group of whales and hang around them without rush. Very recommended!
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