Explore recent whale sightings in Sydney Harbour with Captain Cook Cruises. View expert reports, sighting rates, and seasonal highlights during the annual humpback migration. Plan your whale watching cruise with confidence.
Date | It's going to be bigger and better than ever! |
| 20 Sept | A day of two very different whale encounters! The morning delivered plenty of excitement, with a mother, calf and escort putting on an incredible display. Guests were treated to loads of up-close encounters and acrobatics, including breaches, chin slaps and peduncle throws. Two seals were also spotted along the way, adding to an already action-packed morning. The afternoon was a little more elusive, with four humpbacks across two pods keeping everyone on their toes. While sightings were brief, guests still caught blows and a tail throw, proving that every trip out on the water brings something different. From close-up acrobatics in the morning to a game of hide-and-seek in the afternoon, the humpbacks certainly kept us guessing today! |
| 18 Sept | A slow start turned into a spectacular morning on the water! After a quieter beginning, the action picked up with four humpback whales sighted, including a special encounter with a mother, calf and escort travelling together. The whales soon put on a show, with breaches, tail-up dives, arched backs and plenty of blows observed throughout the cruise. A fantastic finish to the morning and another reminder that you never quite know what the humpbacks have in store! |
| 15 Sept | Breaches and tail throws stole the show today! We encountered six humpback whales across three pods, with plenty of activity to keep everyone watching. The highlight was seeing a couple of spectacular breaches, followed by tail throws as the whales made their way along the coast. There’s nothing quite like seeing a humpback launch itself from the water, and today’s sightings certainly delivered another memorable day of whale watching in Sydney! |
| 13 Sept | The humpbacks turned up the energy on Sunday, with plenty happening above the surface. The morning featured four humpbacks, including three adults and a juvenile. Along with blows and tail-up dives, guests were treated to a breach and pectoral slapping; a great display from the group. The action continued in the afternoon with six humpbacks spread across three pods and another breach spotted. But the whales weren’t alone, a huge pod of around 40–50 dolphins joined the day’s sightings, adding even more life to the water. |
| 11 Sept | Not once, but twice! Two humpbacks gave guests two fantastic close encounters during our morning cruise, offering some brilliant views as they travelled together. Between sightings, the pair slipped beneath the surface for longer dives before showing their tails as they headed down again. An albatross soaring overhead was the perfect addition to a morning that was all about getting a closer look at Sydney’s migrating humpbacks. |
| 9 Sept | Today’s whale watching adventure was all about keeping a keen eye on the horizon. A humpback whale was spotted during the morning, with longer dives and short appearances at the surface keeping everyone onboard watching closely. Guests caught glimpses of blows, an arched back and tail-up dives before the whale disappeared beneath the water again. A dolphin also made an appearance, adding an extra wildlife sighting to the morning’s adventure. |
| 6 Sept | The humpbacks kept everyone guessing today, with three to four whales spotted during the morning cruise. With some long dive times, guests had to keep their eyes on the horizon before the whales resurfaced with blows and arched backs making every appearance worth the wait. The afternoon brought three more humpbacks across two pods, with some lovely tail-up dives giving guests a classic view of their flukes before they disappeared beneath the surface again. |
| 4 Sept | A special sighting for our guests this morning! Among several humpbacks travelling along the coast, a mother and calf became the stars of the cruise, staying close together as guests watched from onboard. The whales kept us searching throughout the trip, but patience paid off with some fantastic sightings towards the end of the cruise, finishing the morning on a high. A lovely glimpse into the next generation of humpbacks making their way through Sydney’s waters. |
| 2 Sept | Spring whale watching is off to an exciting start, with10 or more humpback whales spotted off the Sydney coast! Guests enjoyed watching several pods throughout the morning, with breaches and powerful peduncle throws among the highlights, alongside plenty of blows, arched backs and tail-up dives. To make the morning even better, 10 or more dolphins were also spotted, along with an albatross soaring overhead. |
| 31 Aug | What a morning off the Sydney coast, with10 or more humpback whales spotted throughout the cruise! Guests enjoyed some fantastic close encounters, with whales showing off plenty of surface activity including breaches, pectoral slaps and powerful peduncle throws, along with blows, arched backs and tail-up dives. Adding to the excitement, a pod of around 50 dolphins was spotted nearby, making for an incredible morning of wildlife encounters on the water. |
| 29 Aug | It was another great day of whale watching off the Sydney coast, with humpbacks spotted on both our morning and afternoon cruises. The morning brought two humpback whales, with guests enjoying blows and arched backs as the pair travelled along the coast. They were a little further offshore than usual, making for a scenic search along the coastline. An albatross was also spotted during the cruise. The afternoon brought another two humpbacks, with the whales surfacing briefly between longer dives, keeping everyone watching closely for their next appearance. Another albatross sighting rounded out the afternoon on the water. |
| 27 Aug | The humpbacks were putting on a show off the Sydney coast, with four whales spotted during the morning cruise. Guests were treated to some beautiful close encounters, with plenty of blows, arched backs and tail-up dives. The excitement continued with two breaches, giving everyone onboard an incredible view of these magnificent whales in action. An albatross was also spotted soaring nearby, adding another special wildlife encounter to the morning. |
| 25 Aug | It was an action-packed morning off the Sydney coast, with eight or more humpback whales spotted throughout the cruise. Travelling across several pods, the whales kept guests entertained with blows, arched backs and tail-up dives, while breaches in the distance added plenty of excitement. The highlight of the morning was a close encounter with a playful pair of humpbacks, giving guests a fantastic view of these incredible giants up close. |
| 23 Aug | Sunday delivered some fantastic whale watching off the Sydney coast, with multiple humpbacks spotted throughout the day. Guests enjoyed some wonderfully close encounters, with whales showing off blows, arched backs and tail-up dives. There was plenty of excitement too, with breaches and powerful peduncle throws making for some spectacular viewing. The morning cruise also recorded around three humpbacks, with blows, tail-up dives and a breach observed, while another report from the day recorded four humpbacks across two pods and a breach on the journey home. |
| 21 Aug | A brilliant day of whale watching off Sydney, with plenty of activity across both our morning and afternoon cruises. The morning started with four humpback whales across two pods, with guests spotting plenty of blows, arched backs and tail-up dives as the whales travelled along the coast. The afternoon brought even more wildlife, with five humpbacks putting on a great display of blows, tail-up dives, pectoral slaps and impressive peduncle throws. To top it all off, around 12 dolphins joined the action, along with an albatross sighting! |
| 18 Aug | It was a fantastic morning off the Sydney coast, with six humpback whales spotted across three separate pods. Guests enjoyed watching plenty of classic humpback behaviour, including blows, arched backs and tail-up dives as the whales made their way along the coastline. The real excitement came in the final 15 minutes of the cruise, when some whales came in close to the vessel, giving guests an incredible up-close encounter to finish the morning! |
| 17 Aug | Our morning whale watching cruise was treated to a brilliant encounter with two humpback whales off the Sydney coast. The pair kept guests watching with plenty of blows, arched backs and tail-up dives before one humpback stole the show with an impressive breach! As an added bonus, four dolphins were also spotted during the cruise, making it a fantastic morning of wildlife encounters on the water. |
| 15 Aug | What a day on the water!
Our guests were treated to some fantastic humpback activity, with whales showing off plenty of energy throughout the day. We spotted around five humpbacks across our cruises, with some incredible behaviours including breaches, pectoral slaps, tail slaps, tail-up dives and plenty of blows. The afternoon sightings were particularly exciting, with the whales putting on an impressive show for everyone onboard. Another brilliant day of whale watching off Sydney! |
| 13 Aug | A lovely day of whale watching off Sydney, with two humpback whales spotted during the morning cruise, giving guests the chance to enjoy plenty of blows and arched backs as they surfaced nearby. The afternoon brought an even closer encounter, with a juvenile humpback coming right up near the vessel and showing off some beautiful tail throws. A memorable day on the water with some very special close-up moments! |
| 11 Aug | Patience paid off for our whale watchers today! After searching the coastline, guests were rewarded with sightings of two humpback whales, with plenty of blows and arched backs as they surfaced nearby. The wildlife encounters continued with a seal and several seabirds, including albatrosses and gannets, spotted along the way. It was a rewarding day on the ocean and a wonderful reminder that every whale-watching adventure is different! |
| 8 Aug | A beautiful day off Sydney's coast delivered some wonderfully close encounters! The morning began with two humpback whales, including a mother and a young whale, surfacing nearby with plenty of blows, arched backs and tail-up dives. The afternoon brought even more action, with around five humpbacks sighted alongside a lively pod of 10+ dolphins. With calm seas and great visibility, it was a fantastic day of wildlife encounters! |
| 6 Aug | The humpbacks were full of energy today, with four whales spotted during the morning cruise. The highlight was an exciting juvenile putting on a breaching display, giving guests a spectacular show out on the water. With light winds, small swells and good visibility, conditions were ideal for whale watching and made for a memorable morning off Sydney's coast. |
| 4 Aug | Sydney’s coastline was buzzing with whale activity today, with more than 10 humpbacks sighted across several nearby pods. Guests had a great view of the whales surfacing, showing off powerful blows, arched backs and beautiful tail-up dives. To top it all off, a dolphin appeared, and an albatross was spotted overhead. A brilliant morning on the water with wildlife everywhere you looked! |
2 Aug | What a day on the water! Guests were treated to sightings of around nine humpback whales, with plenty of exciting surface activity including blows, arched backs, tail-up dives and pectoral slaps. A seal also appeared, adding to the wildlife action. The afternoon cruise kept the excitement going with around six humpbacks displaying breaches, pectoral slaps, chin slaps and a peduncle throw. An unforgettable day of whale watching off Sydney! |
| 31 July | The whales put on a fantastic show this morning! Guests followed two humpbacks along Sydney's coastline, watching as they surfaced with powerful blows and displayed their arched backs. The highlight was an incredible tail throw, creating an unforgettable moment for everyone on board. With an albatross soaring overhead and plenty of action on the water, it was another exciting morning of whale watching in Sydney! |
| 28 July | What an exhilarating morning on the water! Guests witnessed an action-packed heat run involving six powerful humpback whales racing along Sydney’s coastline. The excitement continued with more than 50 playful dolphins joining the spectacle; an incredible sight! The whales treated everyone to powerful blows, arched backs, tail-up dives and energetic chin slaps, while an albatross soared overhead. With calm seas and beautiful visibility, it was a truly unforgettable wildlife adventure! |
| 26 July | What a spectacular morning on the water! Guests encountered five magnificent humpback whales across three pods, with one putting on an unforgettable show by launching into an impressive breach. Powerful blows added to the excitement as the whales travelled along Sydney’s coastline. With calm seas, light winds and albatross soaring overhead, conditions were perfect for an action-packed adventure and another wonderful day of whale watching! |
| 25 July | What an action-packed day on the water! Our morning guests witnessed an incredible humpback breach close to the boat, while the afternoon cruise delivered non-stop excitement with six to eight whales, including an adorable mother and calf. The tiny calf cruised right past us and joined the adults in a spectacular display of breaches, pectoral slaps, and tail slaps. Albatross were also spotted soaring above. An unforgettable day of whale watching in Sydney! |
| 23 July | Six humpbacks kept the morning moving, with two pods remaining active throughout the cruise. Guests saw repeated breaches, pectoral slaps, chin slaps and peduncle throws, along with strong tail dives and plenty of surface activity. Five dolphins were also recorded, but the humpbacks remained the clear focus from beginning to end. |
| 21 July | The afternoon delivered a strong run of whale activity, with eight humpbacks spread across three pods. Guests saw multiple breaches and chin slaps, creating plenty of sudden action on the surface rather than long quiet stretches. Albatross were also spotted circling overhead, adding another layer to an already lively afternoon offshore. |
| 19 July | Across the morning and afternoon cruises, guests encountered several active humpback pods, with repeated breaches, pectoral slaps and peduncle throws. Albatross and petrels were also spotted overhead, while Benny the seal made an appearance during the day. With plenty of movement both on and above the water, there was no shortage of wildlife to watch. |
| 17 July | A lively day unfolded off Sydney, with humpbacks keeping guests guessing as they surfaced in different directions throughout both cruises. The morning included repeated breaches and the bonus of around 10 dolphins, while the afternoon brought more whale activity alongside soaring albatross. Despite changing ocean conditions, there was always something to watch, creating an exciting day filled with surprise appearances and memorable wildlife encounters. |
| 13 July | It was an action-packed day on the water, with around 20 humpback whales putting on a fantastic show! Guests were treated to spectacular breaches, playful pectoral slaps and powerful peduncle throws, while curious whales surfaced close to the vessel for unforgettable views. Gannets swooped overhead, adding to the excitement, making it another incredible winter's day enjoying Sydney's famous whale migration. |
| 11 July | The humpbacks were in fine form today, putting on a fantastic display across both cruises. Around 20 whales were spotted throughout the day, with exciting breaches, tail throws and close encounters keeping everyone watching the horizon. Albatross and a curious seal also made an appearance, adding to another memorable day on Sydney's spectacular coastline. |
| 9 July | Despite last week’s terrible weather, whale watching bounced back with an exciting day on Sydney Harbour. Across the morning and afternoon cruises, guests spotted 12 humpback whales, including a spectacular close breach, plenty of blows and arched backs beneath a rainbow. The afternoon brought calmer encounters, with whales surfacing near the vessel. Dolphins, albatross and gannets also appeared, adding even more variety to a memorable day on the water. |
| 4 July | It was a lively day off Sydney’s coastline, with humpbacks keeping guests entertained across both cruises. The morning brought blows, tail flukes, tail-up dives and dolphins, while the afternoon added even more action with arched backs, tail slaps, pectoral slaps and distant breaches. Guests also spotted 50+ common dolphins and albatross along the way, making it a fun-filled winter day on the water with plenty to watch from start to finish. |
| 2 July | It was all eyes on the water today as our whale-watching guests enjoyed a lively day off Sydney's coastline. Whales were sighted in two pods, showing off with classic surface activity, including blows, arched backs, and tail-up dives. The excitement continued with around 20 dolphins joining the action, while albatross and gannets soared overhead. With plenty of movement across the water and wildlife in every direction, it was another memorable day of whale watching on Sydney Harbour. |
| 30 June | What a brilliant morning on the water! Guests were treated to an action-packed whale-watching cruise, with 8+ humpbacks sighted across multiple pods. The highlight was a spectacular double breach, followed by tail slaps and plenty of surface activity, keeping everyone watching closely. We were also joined by 50+ dolphins, plus a seal and albatross, making it a lively and memorable day offshore. |
| 28 June | It was smiles all around as humpback whales stole the show across both cruises today! Guests were treated to fantastic sightings, playful whale behaviour and plenty of close encounters as 13 humpbacks made their way past Sydney’s spectacular coastline. Every sighting had cameras clicking and everyone eagerly scanning the horizon for the next blow. It was another fun-filled day on the water and a brilliant reminder of why whale watching season is one of Sydney’s favourite winter experiences. |
| 26 June | The best was saved for last! As the cruise drew to a close, the humpbacks turned up the excitement with energetic surface activity, giving guests a thrilling finale. Eight whales were spotted throughout the morning, with playful chin slaps and plenty of action keeping everyone watching until the very end. Against the backdrop of Sydney’s stunning coastline and soaring albatrosses, it was the perfect finish to another unforgettable whale watching adventure. |
| 24 June | It was a morning full of surprises as six humpback whales popped up throughout the cruise, keeping guests scanning the horizon for the next sighting. Just when everyone thought the show had settled down, a couple of spectacular breaches stole the spotlight! Add wandering albatrosses gliding overhead, and it made for a beautiful morning on Sydney’s sparkling coastline. |
| 22 June | Not every whale encounter is about big splashes; sometimes the quieter moments are just as breathtaking. This morning, guests watched as humpback whales cruised gracefully alongside the vessel, including one unforgettable roll that revealed its striking white ventral pleats beneath the surface. With 10 whales spotted throughout the cruise and albatrosses gliding overhead, it was a beautiful reminder that every whale watching adventure offers something completely different. |
| 21 June | The whales were putting on a show all day long, with more than 20 humpback sightings across our morning and afternoon cruises! Guests were treated to plenty of surface activity, including tail slaps, breaches and impressive peduncle throws, while pods surfaced regularly around the vessel. The afternoon brought an extra surprise with over 50 dolphins joining the action, creating an unforgettable wildlife spectacle. With calm seas, fantastic visibility and whales in every direction, it was a day packed with excitement from start to finish. |
| 19 June | The humpback highway was busy this morning, with whales appearing in every direction as they continued their annual migration north. Guests enjoyed repeated sightings of active whales, including impressive breaches and tail throws that sent sprays of water high into the air. With albatrosses soaring above and plenty of whale activity below, there was never a quiet moment onboard. |
| 15 June | The whales were out in force this morning, with 10 humpbacks making for an exciting day on the water! Guests were thrilled as several whales cruised close to the vessel, giving everyone fantastic views of these gentle giants. While the whales were enjoying a more relaxed morning, there was never a dull moment with sightings across multiple pods and albatrosses soaring overhead. With plenty of whales to admire and beautiful ocean conditions, it was another unforgettable adventure along Sydney’s stunning coastline. |
| 14 June | What a spectacular afternoon on the water! More than 10 humpback whales delighted guests with an exciting display of blows, tail dives, pectoral slaps and peduncle throws. Several close encounters left everyone in awe, while calm seas and excellent visibility created perfect viewing conditions. A magical whale-watching experience and a memorable afternoon with these magnificent giants of the sea. |
| 11 June | A fantastic morning on the water saw eight humpback whales delight guests with playful tail throws and several spectacular breaches. With albatrosses gliding overhead and whales surfacing across multiple pods, there was plenty of action to keep everyone captivated. Under clear skies and excellent viewing conditions, it was a memorable whale watching experience filled with excitement and unforgettable moments. |
| 8 June | The ocean was alive with activity as more than 10 humpback whales delighted guests throughout the morning. Spectacular breaches and frequent sightings kept excitement levels high, with whales appearing wherever we looked. Calm seas and clear visibility made for an unforgettable day on the water and a wonderful glimpse into the magic of the humpback migration. |
| 6 June | Saturday delivered a memorable whale-watching adventure, with humpbacks offering several close encounters throughout the day. Guests were thrilled as a whale surfaced just metres from the vessel, while energetic tail throws and powerful peduncle displays kept the excitement going. A playful pod of common dolphins added the perfect finishing touch to a day filled with unforgettable wildlife moments. |
| 3 June | Nine humpback whales put on a fantastic show this morning, but the highlight was being surrounded by more than 100 playful dolphins. Tail slaps, blows and constant surface activity kept guests captivated as the ocean came alive around them. An unforgettable wildlife encounter and a truly magical morning on Sydney’s spectacular coastline. |
| 2 June | We were thrilled to welcome Channel 7 aboard for an unforgettable start to the whale watching season. Just minutes after leaving Sydney Harbour, guests witnessed spectacular humpback breaches that had everyone rushing to the rails. Two energetic males kept the excitement going with powerful blows, tail flukes and chin slaps, delivering a fantastic display in perfect viewing conditions. With fantastic viewing conditions and incredible whale behaviour throughout the cruise, it was a morning packed with excitement, unforgettable memories and plenty of camera-worthy moments. https://www.captaincook.com.au/explore-sydney-sightseeing/whale-watching-sydney/ |
| 31 May | Excitement filled the air as four humpback whales put on a spectacular show. From dramatic breaches to powerful tail dives and playful pectoral slaps, the action kept guests captivated throughout the cruise. Albatrosses soaring overhead added to the magic, making for an unforgettable day of wildlife encounters and memorable moments on the water. |
| 28 May | Don’t we all love wildlife? Our guests felt truly privileged witnessing majestic humpback whales performing chin slaps and breathtaking breaches on Sydney Harbour. Joined by playful dolphins and graceful albatross soaring above, it was a blissful reminder of the beauty and magic of ocean life. |
| 16 May | Despite the gloomy start to the season, our guests were treated to unforgettable wildlife moments on Sydney Harbour as majestic whales breached through the water. Adding to the magic, a playful seal was spotted relaxing near the iconic Sydney Opera House; proof that even on cloudy days, Sydney Harbour is full of wonder. |
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