Each year, thousands of humpback and southern right whales take part in the Great Whale Migration, with the majority of this migration occurring between the months of June and October. During this time, the whales migrate north from Antarctica to give birth, before coming back down to the Southern Ocean.
These months are the best time for whale watching, as the beautiful creatures make their way up and down the eastern coast of Australia. Whale watching season is a special time in Sydney, and there’s no experience that matches the excitement and wonder of seeing one of these massive mammals in person.
There are a number of whale watching tours Sydney, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits your preferences. Whether you prefer a relaxing sailing voyage or you want to get involved in the action, there’s a cruise for you. Here are two of the best whale watching Sydney tours - check them out and evaluate which one is right for you.
Captain Cook Cruises offers a three-hour whale-watching excursion on an ocean catamaran that departs daily from Circular Quay from mid-May through October. On this whale-watching cruise Sydney, you can relax on one of the outdoor viewing decks or from the all-weather indoor lounge.
The tour departs at 1:30 p.m. and offers complimentary tea and coffee to enjoy while you observe the annual whale migration patterns. If you don’t spot a whale on your trip, Captain Cook has a “whale guarantee,” where you can book another tour for free.
If you prefer whale spotting from a tall ship, then the Whale and Sail adventure might be right for you. This voyage departs on Sundays from The Rocks, between mid-May and September. The ship departs at 10:30 a.m. and also offers a whale sighting guarantee, or you are entitled to another cruise free of charge.
The Whale and Sail trip includes morning and afternoon coffee and tea, along with hot lunch served on board. As a unique aspect of the tour, you can choose to climb the mast for a better view of the whales as well as stunning Sydney Harbour. The crew will help you put on a specially designed harness for your safety. You can also help the crew hoist the sail and learn more about what it takes to sail a tall ship.
On the other hand, if you would prefer a more relaxing whale watching experience, that’s okay too. Rather than participate in the sailing aspect, you can simply observe the action from the open deck on board.
Tall ships minimise the environmental impact, so you can rest assured that you will not be damaging the whales’ natural habitat. With so many tours going out to sea each day, this is an important distinction for the Whale and Sail trip.
On both cruises, you will hear commentary from experts on board the ships. They will explain why these months are the best time for whale watching and enlighten you about whales’ migratory patterns and behaviours. They can also answer questions you have about these magnificent creatures.
There is truly nothing like the awe-inspiring experience of seeing whales up close in their natural habitat. Explore our whale watching tours Sydney to find the cruise that’s right for you and book your dream trip.
