Whale Sightings 2025

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

Details

07 September

Another day spent in the company of these magnificent creatures! We were accompanied by more than four humpback whales, mesmerizing us with their graceful movements. Lots of pods were spotted throughout the cruise, each putting on a spectacular show of stunning blows, elegant arched backs, and powerful breaths, leaving everyone in awe of their natural beauty.

03 September

The whales were definitely in high spirits!

With over 15 humpback whales, we witnessed a spectacular array of movements. Several pods were spotted, including groups of six and threes, each showing off their playful energy and acrobatics. But without a doubt, the incredible and extended breaches left us absolutely mesmerised, a truly unforgettable day on the water!

02 September

We had the incredible opportunity to be mugged by 7 magnificent humpback whales throughout the entire cruise! From spy hopping to deep dives, these gentle giants put on a spectacular show right under and around the boat. We also observed powerful blows, graceful arched backs, and playful interactions that left everyone in awe.
27
August
What a wonderful winter season to be consistently mugged by whales! We enjoyed a mid-week mugging, with over 8 magnificent humpbacks putting on a breathtaking display of acrobatics. From playful breaches to graceful tail-up dives, these beautiful, gentle giants never fail to amaze. It was a truly unique experience, leaving everyone with a deeper appreciation for the fascinating world of marine life.
25
August
What a beautiful morning! We had the special opportunity to connect with 2–4 playful humpbacks performing incredible acrobatics, from powerful blows and tail-up dives to cheeky breaching. Adding to the magic, our friendly, majestic dolphin companions graced us with their presence, dazzling everyone with their playful energy. It was truly a remarkable and unforgettable experience!
19
August
Definitely another fantastic day filled with acrobatics! We were surrounded by 6+ magnificent humpback whales, each showing off with impressive uptimes and one spectacular breach. Guests were mesmerized by their chin slaps, peduncle throws, powerful blows, arched backs, and stunning tail-up dives. It was an unforgettable day on the water, full of awe-inspiring moments we’ll cherish for a long time.
15
August
Double the Mugging, Double the Magic! Who doesn’t love being mugged by majestic giants twice in one day? We were spoiled today, with 10–15 incredible humpbacks spotted both in the morning and the afternoon! Guests were treated to close encounters, spectacular breaches, and endless moments of awe as these gentle giants showed off their playful side. From start to finish, it was a whale-watching experience like no other, leaving everyone on board absolutely captivated.
10
August
We were greeted by seven magnificent humpbacks putting on a show we’ll never forget. Pod 1 featured an adult breaching dramatically into the golden afternoon sun alongside a playful calf, while Pod 2 showcased four energetic humpbacks displaying powerful blows, long downtimes, graceful arched backs, and stunning tail-up dives. As if that wasn’t magical enough, a majestic albatross glided by to complete this perfect scene. Truly a spectacular encounter with nature’s giants!
09
August
What a spectacular day on the harbour! We were treated to the heartwarming sight of a mother humpback and her playful calf putting on a show, entertaining everyone onboard. But that’s not all; we also spotted three pods of two humpback whales and were joined by a huge group of 20 energetic dolphins, dazzling us with their incredible acrobatics! From close-up mugging to thrilling breaches, it was a day packed with unforgettable moments and endless smiles.
29
July
We encountered over five majestic humpback whales, showing off with powerful blows, graceful arched backs, and impressive surfacing times. We were lucky enough to witness one spectacular breach off Manly and another off the Heads, leaving everyone in awe. A truly remarkable experience we’ll never forget!
27
July
An incredible afternoon on the harbour with seven humpback whales spotted, including two playful juveniles showing off with slaps, mugging, and a few stunning breaches. We were also treated to the heartwarming sight of a cow and her calf gliding alongside us. The whales put on a spectacular show with powerful blows, arched backs, and graceful tail-up dives, a truly unforgettable experience under the beautiful winter sun!
26
July
A fantastic morning on the water with two adult female humpback whales and over 20 playful dolphins accompanying us throughout the entire cruise. We were treated to an incredible display of acrobatics, including powerful blows, graceful arched backs, stunning tail-up dives, and impressive pectoral and chin slaps, along with fascinating peduncle throws. It was a breathtaking experience to witness these majestic giants enjoying the beautiful winter sun, truly an unforgettable morning on Sydney Harbour.
23
July
There’s something truly special about watching a mother whale guide her young calf through the ocean. Today, we were lucky enough to witness this incredible bond firsthand as the pair treated us to an exciting display of tail slaps and peduncle throws. It was a joyful reminder of the natural rhythms of life and the unique thrill of witnessing these moments unfold right before us, motherhood in motion, and whale watching at its finest.
21
July
What an exhilarating and joy-filled morning on the water! Two energetic pods put on a spectacular show, surfacing right beside the boat with powerful blows that echoed through the air. They captivated us with their strength and grace, arching their backs with elegance and diving with magnificent, tail-up splashes. A truly powerful display of nature at its finest!
17
July
Isn’t it absolutely magical when you not only see the whales but also hear them trumpeting through the water? Their powerful sounds echoing across the waves add an extra thrill to the experience! What a joyful and unforgettable mid-July it's been, rain or shine, or even sea spray - the wonder of the whales never fails to amaze!
14
July
What a truly remarkable and beautiful day on the Harbour, filled with sunshine, joy, and marine magic. The majestic whales graced us with their elegant arched backs and robust peduncle flukes, captivating everyone on board. Adding to the enchantment, playful dolphins danced through the waves, leaping and gliding alongside their giant friends. The harmony between these incredible creatures created a heartwarming and unforgettable spectacle—pure happiness on the water!
10
July
Today’s whale watching expedition was absolutely captivating! The whales treated us to a breathtaking display of graceful arched backs, playful waves, powerful peduncle throws, majestic breaches, and elegant tail-up dives that left us all in awe. One energetic juvenile stole the spotlight with relentless breaching, keeping everyone on their toes. Meanwhile, our other marine friends, the seals, added charm to the day as they lounged about, gracing us with their relaxed, lazy presence. An unforgettable encounter with the wonders of the ocean!
08
July
What an unforgettable day on board! Our enthusiastic passengers made the experience even more special as we witnessed an impressive range of whale behaviours. A standout moment was spotting a playful juvenile off the Bay Cliff, putting on a show with constant breaching. The afternoon continued with non-stop acrobatics pectoral slaps, powerful blows, arched backs, thrilling breaches, and so much more. A truly spectacular day at sea!
06
July
What an incredible day on the water! We spotted at least 14 humpback whales, thrilling our guests with powerful blows, deep dives, arched backs, and non-stop breaching and tail slapping. The energy was high, and the smiles even bigger! With perfect conditions and unforgettable wildlife moments, it was a truly joyful and memorable experience for all.
05
July
Definitely in high spirits after the gloomy weather! The whales were out in full force, with two surfacing right beside the boat, an unforgettable close-up moment. The excitement carried through the afternoon with non-stop tail slaps, splashes, and impressive peduncle throws. A day full of energy, joy, and spectacular sightings!
29
June
A thrilling morning adventure! Over 11 whales were spotted, with multiple pods seen within 500m of the vessel. One pod remained close, treating us to massive breaches. We witnessed everything from graceful adult movements to playful calves, arched backs, strong blows, and tail dives. The excitement continued into the afternoon with 10+ pods gracing us with powerful peduncle throws and spectacular breaches. A truly unforgettable day on the water!
28
June
An explosion of energy took over the sea today! A mega pod of 8 whales delighted us with powerful blows, arched backs, and breathtaking breaches. The excitement flowed into the afternoon with pods of 3 whales showcasing playful tail slapping, and a magical moment when a pod of 2 appeared right beside the boat. It was an unforgettable display of nature’s beauty that made our day even more special!
24
June
A blissful day on Sydney Harbour as three playful cow calves were spotted near the vessel. Their joyful breaching created huge splashes, leaving guests in awe. The calves’ graceful acrobatics were a breathtaking sight, showcasing the beauty and magic of marine life. An unforgettable moment for all on board.
22
June
What an incredible day on the water! The morning began with over 8 humpbacks showing playful, positive behaviour, mighty peduncle throws, tail-up dives, and thunderous blows filled the air. The afternoon brought even more joy with 6 whales putting on a graceful display of deep dives and surface action. The energy was high, the ocean alive, and every moment filled with wonder. A truly uplifting and unforgettable experience!
21

June

Massive Breaches! We were surrounded by six humpback whales, all putting on an unforgettable show! With powerful blows and graceful dives, the ocean came alive with energy. These gentle giants had the vessel buzzing with excitement as each acrobatic leap left us in absolute awe. A truly breathtaking day, full of whale magic from every angle!
19
June
Nature at its Finest! Multiple pods surrounded the vessel today, putting on a spectacular show! Over four humpback whales thrilled us with arched backs, tail-up dives, jaw-dropping breaches, and powerful peduncle throws. The action was non-stop, with each blow and slap drawing cheers from everyone on board. The highlight? One curious whale swam right under the boat, giving us a moment we’ll never forget!
17
June
An explosion of energy lit up the sea today! We spotted 6–8 lively pods, each bursting with action. The whales treated us to powerful breaches, misty blows, playful pectoral slaps, and even a few cheeky chin slaps that had everyone smiling. Their joyful energy was contagious, creating an unforgettable atmosphere around the vessel. A day full of excitement and pure magic on the water!
16
June
Heat Run Magic! What a stunning start to the week! In perfect winter sunshine, 15 humpback whales surrounded the vessel, putting on an unforgettable show. Arched backs, misty blows, tail-up dives, playful pectoral slaps, and thrilling peduncle throws - every moment was pure ocean magic. These gentle giants showcased their beauty and power with every move. It was a breathtaking reminder of nature’s beauty and the wonder of whale season. Truly, a dream day on the water!
15
June
We had another beautiful day with approximately 7 humpbacks! It was thrilling to witness these sea giants in action, showcasing incredible movements like powerful blows, graceful arched backs, tail-up dives, and impressive peduncle throws. Between these amazing uptimes, we were delighted to spot playful seals nearby, adding even more charm to the adventure. They never cease to impress!
14
June
In the morning, we were enchanted by a pod of two whales—a female and her playful calf who delighted us with pectoral slaps, gentle waves, and a close swim beneath the boat. Their powerful blows, arched backs, and tail-up dives set a magical tone for the day. In the afternoon, we encountered another pair a female and juvenile gracing us with elegant blows and arched backs under the warm sunlight. Both cruises offered unforgettable moments, filled with the beauty and grace of these magnificent marine giants, making it a truly heartwarming and exhilarating day on the water.
12
June
Mugged! The majestic marine giants circled our vessel, keeping us in their spell. We were mugged for over an hour, completely surrounded and enchanted by their presence, as they treated us to a spectacular show of graceful blows, arched backs, tail-up dives, breaches, pectoral slaps, and a thrilling peduncle throw. What an absolutely unforgettable and truly amazing experience!
08
June
On this beautiful morning, our whale-watching expedition was filled with remarkable sightings. We encountered multiple pods, with 10–12 humpback whales putting on an unforgettable show. They treated us to powerful blows, gracefully arched backs, exhilarating tail-up dives, playful chin slaps, and impressive peduncle throws. It was a breathtaking display of natural beauty and behavior that left us truly in awe.

06
June

We had a spectacular start to the day that seamlessly flowed into a magical afternoon on the water. 3–4 pods of humpbacks graced us with their presence, showing off their beautiful blows, elegant arched backs, and classic tail-up dives. A breathtaking breach south of the vessel stole the show, leaving us all in awe. What a perfect way to bask in the sunshine, surrounded by the wonder and grace of these gentle ocean giants.
01
June
What a wonderful start to the month! Excited whale watchers were treated to the full show, filled with majestic, powerful blows, arched backs, tail-up dives, multiple boat breaches, pectoral slaps, peduncle throws, and chin slaps. The whales' incredible behaviour left everyone feeling truly happy and fulfilled.
31
May
Today brought unforgettable moments on the water! In the morning, we enjoyed watching a solo humpback with several graceful up times. Later, a pod of two whales captivated us with multiple surfacing and a stunning long tail-up dive in the afternoon light. Passengers were thrilled by the mighty blows and elegantly arched backs we witnessed. We were in awe of the variety and beauty of these gentle giants!
30
May
Whale activity at its finest today! We encountered three energetic pods of humpback whales, featuring a spectacular breach from an adult and a lively juvenile showing off with its own breach and playful chin slapping. One whale rounded out the display with a smooth arch and tail dive, all beneath the silent glide of a nearby albatross.
26 May

We kicked off the day with exceptional uptime. Two humpback whales delighted us with consistent appearances every four minutes, showcasing impressive blows, graceful dives, and stunning arches. Their mesmerising behaviours and close presence made for a truly breathtaking and unforgettable experience, inspiring everyone on board.

24 May

We started the day spotting two adult humpbacks and a juvenile, setting a fantastic tone. The whales surfaced repeatedly throughout the tour, showcasing powerful blows and graceful arches. Their presence created a breathtaking, unforgettable experience, leaving everyone inspired by the beauty and majesty of these magnificent marine giants.

17 May
The whale season kicked off with incredible wildlife encounters amid lively, rolling seas. We were lucky to see a baby humpback whale, offering a special glimpse into its migratory journey. Playful dolphins leapt and spun alongside the boat, while curious seals made charming appearances nearby. These vibrant ocean moments created a sense of adventure and wonder, making it an unforgettable and magical start to the winter season for everyone on board.


Some of our recent reviews

Carolyn Hamilton - 5 Star
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- 5 Star

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