Whale watching season in sydney is incredible, and its something you need to see for yourself. But whale watching season differs throughout the country and so do the kinds of whales youll see. In july 2002, a whale and its calf swam deep into the harbour, going underneath the sydney harbour bridge, where an exclusion zone was set up by the nsw national parks and wildlife service. The season is split into two distinct sections depending on the direction of travel of the majority of whales at that time.
It is not the most tourist season in sydney, but you should try whale watching if you are visiting the city during this period. Currently, a 20% discount is offered for online bookings. See how the season progresses with the whale sightings counter. About whales whale watching season info whale watching. The whale watching cruise is too much bumpy when sailing and maybe we are in the end of the whale watching season and the sea is not so calm but we still manage to see some whale.
Whale watching sydney runs cruises from may to december and youre almost guaranteed to see a whale. There are excellent vantage points in sydney and whalewatching cruises out on the water where you can see these giants of the deep at play. Afternoon cruises operate daily, while morning cruises depart on weekends only. Whale watching sydney 2020 all you need to know before. The best whale watching in sydney where you are more likely to spot whales from the shore is during winter when as many as 20,000 of them migrate along the new south wales coastline. Whale watching sydney 2020 all you need to know before you. Whales migrate in their thousands along the nsw coast, which stretches more than 2,000 km. Whether you are a local or a visitor, whale watching in sydney on the iconic sydney harbour and surrounding coastline is a magical experience. Plus, theres even a whale sighting guarantee if you dont see whales on your cruise youre entitled to another cruise in the same whale watching season entirely free.
It is extraordinary to think that right in the heart of australias largest city you can have a unique whale watching experience. We miss some at the start of the season and some at the end but theres a 99 percent success rate in the middle of the season, says richard ford, the owner of whale watching sydney, who brought the tours to sydney a decade ago. Your comprehensive guide to sydney harbour whale watching and all about whales. If you want to see whales without having to travel far from sydney, this tour is the option youre looking for. Aug 31, 2017 whale watching in sydney is one of most interesting attractions during winter season. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.
Success rate is 98% and all cruises are guaranteed to see whales. The wild about whales website and app lists all the best viewing locations. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. Dolphin stampede overtakes whale watching boat duration.
With so many options and discounts available to you, you should really try whale watching. An interesting time of the season with whales going both directions. Whale watching is a popular activity in sydney, so to receive the best rates on a whalespotting cruise try looking on the outskirts of the season, meaning early april and late november. May 08, 2019 the whale watching season in sydney is between may and november each year but some times are better than others to increase your chances of seeing whales.
Sydneys whalewatching season typically runs from may into december, when thousands of whales migrate through the area. Whale watching, wildlife tours and sea kayaking tours located in the beautiful seaside town of sidney, british columbia on vancouver island. Jun 15, 2018 the humpback whale is a large marine mammal that belongs to one of over 80 known species of cetacea. Our coastline offers some of the best places to see whales up close, with superb tours departing locations around the nation, including sydney, perth, gold coast, sunshine coast, melbourne and more. About whales your sydney whale watching guide captain cook. The best spot for whale watching is the gap, an ocean cliff on the south head peninsula. From april to november tens of thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast of sydney, between their. Whales often cruise close to shore, so they are easy to spot, and have even been known to pop up inside sydney harbour. Equipped with state of the art technology, comfortable indooroutdoor seating and viewing decks over 3 levels.
Manly whale watching has been part of the sydney whale watching industry for over 10 years, providing tours and great service for all of sydney, manly and the northern beaches. The whale watching cruise crew is awesome and give us very good service. The whale watching sydney season 2018 and the humpback whale migration passing sydney takes place between april and december each year. Get the latest sightings, learn whale facts and plan your next coastal adventure. They dont migrate like the humpback whale does and there are not as many. They offer daily cruises from darling harbour and circular quay from mid may to the end of november. Sydney ferries services to darling harbour depart circular quay wharf 5 every half hour. Available for android and ios, download the wild about whales app and log. At nearby manly, get up close and personal with manly whale watching, who guarantee a spectacular experience with these migrating mammals. Departing circular quay, you will first be taken across the harbour to pick up more passengers from manly wharf. Whale watching on the gold coast if youd rather keep your feet on the ground but still yearn for the special experience of seeing a whale, australias east coast is the best place to spot whales from the beach.
Check out our pick of the best whale watching vantage points, tours and accommodation in nsw. Jun 15, 2018 the whale watching sydney season 2018 and the humpback whale migration passing sydney takes place between april and december each year. There are a number of different migration and whale seasons. Each year, from may to november, more than 30,000 whales make their way along the humpback highway, a migration route from antarctica to the pacific that runs along the coast of nsw. Our premium three hour discovery cruise provides the ultimate whale watching experience on the best boat in sydney. May 30, 2019 the best spot for whale watching is the gap, an ocean cliff on the south head peninsula. In nsw, its common to see humpback whales, southern right whales and dolphins, but you may also spot orcas, blue whales, minke whales and sperm whales. Manly whale watching is able to book tours from a range of providers in order to offer you the widest variety of vessels. Whale watching sydney has over 25 years of experience watching whales. Whale watching is a popular activity in sydney, so to receive the best rates on a whale spotting cruise try looking on the outskirts of the season, meaning early april and late november.
Any boat prides itself on being able to provide you with the biggest selection of whale watching sydney tours available. Whales love a harbour and sydney has one of the best. The long whale season in australia between may and november no doubt contributes to its growing popularity. Best fleet of purpose built, comfortable and fast whale watching boats. All along australias coastline are fantastic spots to see whales. Whale watching in sydney official sydney tourism website. About whales whale watching cruises sydney, australia. Wild about whales is a celebration of whales along the nsw coastline.
The best way to experience these magnificent mammals and view famous sydney landmarks is from onboard a whale watching sydney cruise. With up to 35m long it is the largest animal to have ever lived on our planet. Humpback whale watching sydney sydney harbour boat hire. Oct 01, 2015 the whale watching season in sydney is quite long maynovember, but it is not always very busy. Whale watching is a popular pastime in sydney in the winter and spring. Whereas both male and female humpback and grey whales seem to undertake seasonal migrations.
The humpback whales are usually identified by their enormous size, majestic whale songs and their aerial acrobatics abilities such as their ability to continuously breach the water in spite of their large bodies. The migrating population is named the group 5 southern hemisphere humpback whale population or the australian east coast humpbacks. This super fast cruise is our most thrilling which is best suited for the more adventurous at heart. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Frequently asked questions go whale watching sydney. Whale watching sydney season sydney harbour boat hire get. Climb to the top to gaze over the tasman sea and sydney harbour. Humpback whales are the most likely whales you will spot during the sydney whale watching season in 2018, however you may be among the lucky to spot orcas and. The 2020 whale watching season operates approximately 23 may to 28 october. Whale watching in sydney more than 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises can be found in waters surrounding australia. The distance from the coast of the whales is believed to be. Whale watching in australia has grown tremendously over the last decade.
In july 20, a blue whale was again spotted cruising off cape solander in kamay botany bay national park, in sydneys south. The ultimate guide to whale watching in sydneys waters. The best whale watching viewing times are early morning or late afternoon. Every september, whale watching cruise season in sydney begins with the whales swimming out from the.
Weve been walking sydneys coastline for years, so here are our tips on how to take advantage of nature to get the best out of your whale watching time. Tips for whale watching season sydney may 8, 2019 the whale watching season in sydney is between may and november each year but some times are better than others to increase your chances of seeing whales. From may to july, humpback and southern right whales migrate from the antarctic to warmer northern waters to breed. Also, see other marine wildlife such as dolphins, albatross, seals and the beautiful coastline of sydney. You can go whale watching all winter and spring may november in sydney. In october 2012, lucky whale watchers also caught a glimpse of the largest animal on earth, the incredible blue whale, just off south head. The views over pittwater and the mouth of broken bay are breathtaking and 180degree ocean views as far as the eye can see give you a great chance to spot the whales spouts as they pass by. During whalewatching season, youll see these majestic mammals from many headlands in sydney and at destinations from byron bay in the north to eden in the south. Departure is from circular quay or darling harbour and there are morning and afternoon sessions. On this whale watching cruise youll spend around two hours and 45 minutes out on the water, enjoying an unbeatable view of sydneys iconic landmarks and the migrating humpback whales.
The whale watching season in sydney is between may and november each year but some times are better than others to increase your chances of seeing whales. With a choice of nine whale watching cruises from reputed sydney operators, take your pick and get an exclusive opportunity to spot pods of whales right from humpbacks, southern right and more as they migrate to warmer climes, north of sydney. Whale watching tours and coastal activities take place at nsw national parks all. Find australias best whale watching cruises this whale watching season. One of the best things about winter and spring is that its whale watching season. The humpback whale is a large marine mammal that belongs to one of over 80 known species of cetacea. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins cetaceans in their natural habitat. Experience the majestic whales close up when a large number of humpback and southern right whales start their migration north along the australian coastline, from antarctica, to their breeding grounds in queensland.
Japan continues to lobby the international whaling council to reintroduce commercial whaling. Sydney whale watching tour and lunch package experience oz. Weve been walking sydneys coastline for years, so here are our tips on how to take advantage of nature to get the best out of your. For more info about whales in sydney download the about whales whale. Whale watching cruise departs darling harbour, sydney. Whale watching season has commenced and from now until december thousands of humpback whales will pass the coastal shores of sydney in the biggest mass migration in the world. Park near the surf club and climb the 3040 minute trail up to barrenjoey lighthouse. Whether youre a swimmer and ready for the once in a lifetime experience of swimming with whales, or if youd rather keep your feet on the ground and see whales frolic in the ocean from the beach or a cruise, theres a spot in australia perfect for your style of whale watching. Whale app app wild about whales nsw national parks. The tours just started midmay, but the boat operator reported seeing whales every day so far.
Forget boring old whale watching cruises, ocean extreme offers the most exciting and most personal whale watching experience in sydney. Download the wild about whales app so you can follow the whales progress during the migration, and report any you see. Nsw whale watching season wild about whales nsw national. Whale watching australia 2017 sydney, gold coast, hervey. Here is a chart with weekly humpback whale sightings in sydney between 2010 and 2012. The overall whale watching season in the greater fraser island area typically begins in late july and lasts through to late november, so if youre looking to get the best out of two of the most visually impressive naturebased destinations in qld, then a trip to fraser island during whale watching season is a great choice that can make for. About whales your sydney whale watching guide captain. The sea is not calm and bumpy in the end of the whale watching season. Whale watching sydney season sydney harbour boat hire. The best time for whale watching in this region, however, is between july and september. Plus, theres even a whalesighting guarantee if you dont see whales on your cruise youre entitled to another cruise in the same whale watching season entirely free.
A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale. And theres almost no better place to watch these magnificent creatures than in sydney. Take a hike sydneys mostnorthern tip is barrenjoey headland in kuringgai chase national park. I seen more than half of the passenger onboard was. Best time for whale watching in sydney vi travel tips. Our dedicated team are always available to help you decide which boat and whale watching package are best suited to you. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Discovery cruise 3hr our premium three hour discovery cruise provides the ultimate whale watching experience on the best boat in sydney. Sydney whale watching offers 100% whale sighting rates, and guarantees a free return cruise if you dont see a whale. Whales have been entering the beautiful headlands of sydney harbour since long before sydney became the bustling city it. You can purchase sydney eco whale watching tour gifts, which although seasonal, is a unique gift idea. They swim close to the coastline around sydney providing memorable whale spotting opportunities. This allowed onlookers to photograph and watch the whales, whilst allowing them to swim where they liked and be left relatively undisturbed. Jul 19, 2012 in total, about 3000 whales migrate past and sometimes come inside sydney harbour so youve got a great chance of spotting one or two over the season.
Finally, you can buy gift certificates for whale watching tours for a loved one if you wish, too. Best time for whale watching in australia about australia. Jul 09, 2018 324 got invited on a whale watching cruise in sydney by fantasea. Whale watching in sydney is one of most interesting attractions during winter season. Mar 03, 20 dolphin stampede overtakes whale watching boat duration. The ultimate guide to whale watching in sydneys waters this.