Every year, humpback whales migrate up and down the Australian east coast from Antarctica. They come to give birth in the warmer waters before returning to the colder Antarctic waters. Today I am sharing everything you need to know so you can see the whales in their natural habitat swimming, breaching and playing in the waters off the Australian coast well, actually Sydney. When is the best time to see whales? Can you see whales from the shore? Which whale watching cruise should you book? Plus many more questions you may have about whale watching in Sydney will be answered.
No matter if you are a Sydney local or a visitor to Sydney, seeing the whales in Sydney is one of the best things you can add to any winter Sydney itinerary. And it is good of the whales to coincide their visit with the NSW school holidays. So if you are looking for something to do with the kids during the Sydney school holidays then consider whale watching. If you need accommodation in Sydney, check out the Booking.com website for option. So let’s get started.
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Best Times for Whale Watching in Sydney
If wondering when can you see whales in Sydney well, they are migrating up and down the coast between the end of May until mid-November. And even though you can see them in many places along the coastline, Sydney is one of the hot spots.
The peak whale watching season in Sydney runs from mid-June to mid-July. This is when some 16,000 or so whales migrate along the coastline, mostly Humpback Whales which is why it is known as the Humpback Highway. There are other whales such as The Southern Right Whale which you often see passing by Warrnambool. So now you know the best time to see whales in Sydney, you will want to know where can you go whale watching in Sydney.
Where to Whale Watch in Sydney
There are two ways to see the whales in Sydney. From the land and from the sea. Land-based options are free while there is a cost to see them from the water, unless you or someone you know has a boat. Let’s look at the two options so you can find the option that suits how you want to whale watching in Sydney.
1. Best Sydney land based places to see the whales
Whales occasionally enter Sydney Harbour but sightings are scarce and unpredictable. The best land-based viewing of whales in Sydney are from Sydney’s coastal areas. And some coastal spots are better than others. Particularly the coastal cliff areas high above the sea level.
TIP: If you’ve chosen to see the whales from the land, take a pair of binoculars with you and wear warm clothes. As peak time to see the whales in Sydney is the winter months, it can be rather cold by seaside, particularly when the sea winds are blowing.
Some of the best places to see whales in Sydney from land are:
lots of great places to see whales off Sydney
Whale Watching in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney
Fairfax Lookout at North Head provides some of Sydney’s best whale watching views. Easy to get to from Manly Wharf by taking the 135 bus. While waiting for the whales you could explore the historic military fortifications while strolling the Australian memorial Walk. What a great day out in Sydney this would be. Definitely would keep the kids entertained while waiting to see whales.
Another great place to see whales from the shore in Sydney’s northern suburbs is from the Barrenjoey Headland. By walking up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse, you will be rewarded with panoramic ocean views. Perfect for whale watching. You can also walk around and learn about the lighthouse. On your way up to or down walk to Palm Beach check out where the TV soap ‘Home and Away’ is filmed. The fictional ‘Summer Bay’ is right here at Palm Beach. You can drive yourself and park at Palm Beach or catch the L90 bus from Wynyard or a bus from Manly Wharf. Hop off at the park behind Palm Beach and follow the signs to the headland. The path to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse can be steep, but the views are worth it!
Whale Watching in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney
There are a number of whale watching spots in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. My top three whale watching spots in Sydney’s eastern suburbs include The Gap at South Head, the Bondi Headland and Cape Banks at La Perouse.
The Gap at South Head is a brilliant spot to whale watch in Sydney. The Gap is a sandstone ocean cliff with a dip that extends a wavecut. A wavecut is a platform gently sloping from the base of the cliff that has been formed by the erosive action of waves. So while this is a great place to come and look for whales, The Gap in itself is another natural wonder you can see and appreciate. You can reach The Gap by car, but parking may be an issue. So, consider public transport to get you there. One of the most scenic ways is to take the ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. From the Watsons Bay Wharf it is a short walk to The Gap.
My second favourite place in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney to whale watch is at the Bondi Headland and Coastal Walk. Get yourself to Ben Buckles Point, Bondi’s most easterly outlook, you can’t miss it! This is where the locals will gather with their binoculars laying in wait for the whales to appear. If feeling impatient, why not undertake the Bondi Coastal Walk. This coastal walk is around six kilometres and links Bondi to Coogee Beach. Take in the magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean from this gorgeous cliff-face walk. All the while keeping an eye out for whales. To get to Bondi, catch the 333 or 380 bus from the city or get a train to Bondi Junction and then hop on a bus to Bondi Beach.
Another whale watching option in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney is at Cape Banks in La Perouse. La Perouse is at the northern head of Botany Bay and opposite Kurnell at the southern head of Botany Bay. You can drive to Cape Banks or catch the L94 bus from Museum Train Station. Head to the headland and check out the wonderful views over Botany Bay to Kurnell and out over the Pacific Ocean where hopefully the whales are waiting to see you too!
Whale Watching in the Southern Suburbs of Sydney
The southern suburbs of Sydney provide some of the best whale watching viewing points. Cape Solander in the Kurnell Kamay Botany Bay National Park is one of the best places to see whales. Local volunteers help visitor’s spot whales from telltale signs of whale activity. You can drive to Kurnell, though there is an $8 parking fee. Or you can catch the train to Cronulla, then bus 987 to Kurnell, before a 2.8km walk to the lookout.
The towering cliffs of the Royal National Park, particularly along the ‘The Coast Track’ is a fantastic spot for whale watching. You can drive to the Royal National Park but will be a National Park entry fee. Or you can catch the train to Cronulla, then catch the ferry to Bundeena. From the Bundeena ferry pier it is about a 30 minute walk to the Jibbon Headland before you begin to find great viewing spots.
2. Best Whale Watching Tours out of Sydney
If you really want to see the whales in Sydney up close then your highest chance is to go on a whale watching cruise. There are a number of operators and as it is their business, they know the best whale spotting locations. Plus, they provide a commentary with many interesting facts about these magnificent ocean creatures. Operators include Captain Cook Cruises, Ocean Extreme Whale Watching, Fantasia Discovery and Tall Ship.
Sydney has a range of whale watching tours available. Some are 2 hours long while others are longer of about 4 or so hours and can include breakfast or lunch. Check out the following whale watching tours to get more details and to book your whale experience:
2.5 hour Whale watching cruise from Sydney
3 hour Whale watching cruise from Sydney on a catamaran
Whale watching cruise with breakfast or lunch included
Are You Now Ready to have a whale of a time whale watching in Sydney?
Now you know where some of the best places to see whales in Sydney are, both from the land and from the water. Sydney is a wonderful place to see whales, but there are plenty of other places along the coastline too including Warrnambool in Victoria and Hervey Bay in Queensland. Have you been whale watching?
I visited Sydney during the winter but I had no idea it was peak whale season! I would have loved to do a tour.
Maybe next trip!
I’ve done a couple of whale watching cruises here in New England. I’ve never thought about doing one in Australia, but now I’d really like to!
I hope you get the opportunity to see whales in Australia, just like I now want to see them in New England.
This looks like fun! I’ve always wanted to go whale watching
It is great fun. The day can be long, particularly the sailing part to get to the whales, but seeing the whales is well worth it.
I love that you can watch them for free from the land in Sydney! The boat trips can be so expensive. Thanks for the advice.
Yes, some of the whales come very close to shore so you get to see them.
We did whale watching in Alaska but not a lot of luck. Saw some barely come to the surface so will want to do this again.
That’s a shame you didn’t have much luck seeing whales. They have minds of their own these whales and it is hard to predict what they might do. I’ve been lucky that many have risen out of the water to check the boat and us people on the boat out.
This is a great guide – I wish I had seen this before my trip!!
This will give you an excuse to come back!
Your land based map is very helpful in being able to plot out stops in the Sydney area to see whales. Thanks!
Glad you liked the map. I think it hard explaining to an overseas visitor places in Sydney, so a map is useful.
I’ve done a couple of whale watching trips near where I live in Vancouver as we have a lot of resident and transient whales, but this is absolutely an activity I’d love to try out somewhere else too. Australia looks like it has a lot of great whale watching options near Sydney, and although the window of opportunity is a little short, it would have to be on my list for a visit
Good to hear you have done whale watching trips in Vancouver. I’d love to do one. Our window is short but as long as you visit the popular viewing spots during the window, you shouldn’t be disappointed.
I’m such a huge fan of whale watching—I’ve taken over 10 tours in Alaska and a few in Hawaii, and I never get tired of watching these gentle giants. The idea of seeing humpbacks breaching off the coast of Sydney sounds absolutely incredible! Australia is definitely on my bucket list, and I’d love to do both land-based and boat tours when I finally visit. Thanks for all the great tips—Fairfax Lookout and Barrenjoey Headland sound like perfect spots to start!
Personally, my favourite land-based spot to see whales is Cape Solander but all the spots are pretty darn good. I’m envious of the amount of times you have been on tours to see the whales. I’d love to see them in Alaska and Hawaii.