Whale Sightings

Cruise Info and Bookings   Whale Watching  

  • The 2021 Whale Watching season operates approx May to October
  • For more info about Whales in Sydney download the About Whales - Whale Watching Guide
  • Each day we record Whale sightings which can be viewed online (below), or view a selection of last season's reports here
  • We have a 95%+ Whale Sighting success
  • Waves, swell, winds & visibility can be very different outside the Harbour
  • This Week's Predicted Comfort Levels & Weather

2020 Sightings  A selection of sightings from each month 

Date Details
24 Oct To close out the 2020 season we sighted 1 solo humpback and an escort pod of 3 adults and 1 calf migrating south. Behaviours observed were blows, tail dives and pectoral slaps. Bonus sighting - a pod of 6 dolphins playing inside the Harbour!
Whales sighted: 5 | 2 pods: 1x adult; 3x adults, 1x calf
11 Oct We sighted 7 humbpacks on this sunny spring morning. 3 pods were sighted by our thrilled passengers and crew, cheerfully playing about with one whale even approcaching our vessel. We saw breaches, we saw arched backs, we saw tail dives, and many more fascinating behaviours. A lovely morning out for all onboard!
Whales sighted: 7 | 3 pods: 2x adults; 3x adults, 1x calf; 1x adult
10 Oct Calm seas this morning and lots to see on the water. 7 humpbacks sighted including a calf and juveniles displaying blows, arched back, tail up dive and a breach. A pod of approx. 15 dolphins, plus 4 seals, albatross and gulls - it was all happening!
Whales sighted: 7 | 3 pods: 3x adults; 2x adults, 1x calf; 1x juvenile
03 Oct A great morning as we began to follow a mother & calf pod, then spotted another 2 pods within 1km of each other. This afternoon a single pod put on an amazing show of double breaches! The calf was just weeks old and very active.
Whales sighted (AM): 6 | 3 pods: 1x mother, 1x calf; 1x juvenile, 1x calf; 1x mother, 1x calf
Whales sighted (PM): 2 | 1 pod: 1x mother, 1 x calf
27 Sep Two pods of humpbacks sighted this morning with spectcular peduncle throw displays! We also spotted a pod of 8 dolphins and 2 seals playing in the water.
Whales sighted: 4 | 2 pods: 2x adults; 1x mother, 1x calf
26 Sep A pod of 2 whales spotted on both our morning and afternoon outings, good activity observed on both cruises with long up times. A colony of 12 playful seals sighted on the rocks and 4 swimming in the ocean was a highlight for our morning passengers and crew.
Whales sighted (AM): 2 | 1 pod: 1x mother, 1x calf
Whales sighted (PM): 2 | 1 pod: 1x mother, 1x calf
19 Sep Arched backs, tail up dives and blows sby a pod of 4 whales observed on our morning cruise. Great conditions at sea today with light winds, low swell and good visibility.
Whales sighted: 4 | 1 pod: 4x adults
13 Sep 2 pods sighted on our morning cruise, displaying an array of tail dives and arched backs and breaching whales in the distance and a mother and calf pairing on our afternoon cruise.
Whales sighted (AM): 4 | 2 pods: 2x adults; 2x adults
Whales sighted (PM): 4 | 2 pods: 2x adults; 1x mother, 1x calf
12 Sep A calf and cow (mum and child) were the main highlight of our afternoon, long down times but very active when they came up for air. We sighted lots of breaches, arched backs, tail dives peduncle throws, pectoral slaps and blows. Our morning cruise we sighted a pod of 3 humpbacks.
Whales sighted (AM): 3 | 1 pod: 3x adults
Whales sighted (PM): 2 | 1 pod: 1x mother, 1x calf
06 Sep Our passengers and crew were treated not just to a lovely Spring day on the water, but also a mugging! A mugging is where an inquisitive whale approaches the vessel and swims around or under it, so you can imagine the delight from all onboard.
Whales sighted: 2 | 1 pod: 2x adults
05 Sep The warm, sunny weather continues this weekend. Great visibility, calm swells and light winds - perfect conditions for whale watching. We approached 2 southbound Humpback whales having a tranquil moment, however we did sight blows and tail slaps. A pod of 7 dolphins also sighted today.
Whales sighted: 2 | 1 pod: 2x adults
30 Aug We had our first taste of Spring today and the whales were loving it! Lots of tail slapping amongst the 4 humpbacks we spotted on our morning cruise, enthralling all on board. Other behaviours sighted include, peduncle throws, arched backs, pectoral slaps and blows.
Whales sighted: 4 | 2 pods: 2x adults; 1x mother, 1x calf
23 Aug Today we spotted 3 humpbacks, 7 seals and 2 seabirds, including a Tearn and an Albatross. The whales were in full swing today with lots of peduncle throws, arched backs, pectoral slaps and tail dives on display. 
Whales sighted: 3 | 2 pods: 1x adult, 1x calf; 1x mother
22 Aug Saturday's are for the seals. We spotted a whopping 17 seals soaking up the late winter's sun at Macquire Lighthouse. However not to be outperformed, since whales will always be the main highlight of a whale watching cruise, we delighted at the sighting of 2 pods, including a juvenile, as they happily swam along the coast. 
Whales sighted: 3 | 2 pods of humpbacks: 1x adult; 1x adult, 1x juvenile 
09 Aug Lots of action today! Breaches, peducle throws, tail dives, arched backs and blows displayed from the playful humpbacks frolicking in the waves. Four dolphins, 2 Black-Browed Albatross and 1 Crestered Tern also spotted by keen bird watchers. 
Whales sighted: 3 | 2 pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 1x adult
08 Aug Our first sighting was off Manly, a docile pod of 2 humpbacks with long down times. We said goodbye and headed south towards Bondi and spotted another pod of 2 active humpbacks. We were treated to breaches, peduncle throws, arched backs, and chin slaps. 
Whales sighted: 4 | 2 pods of humpbacks: 1x calf, 1x adult; 1x calf, 1x adult
02 Aug The weather is warming up and it's great to be out on the harbour enjoying that sunshine. We spotted two pods of adult humpbacks today, several tail ups, arched backs and blows observed from our enthralled passengers and crew.
Whales sighted: 4 | 2 pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 2x adults
01 Aug We had a 'whale of a time' today! Lots of action observed south bound on our morning cruise - breaches, arched backs, tail dives peduncle throws and much more. Two humbpacks sighted on our afternoon cruise heading north with a few arched backs and tail dives observed but long down times.
Whales sighted (AM): 5 | 3 pods of humpbacks: 1x adult; 2x adults; 2x adults
Whales sighted (PM): 2 | 1 pod of humpbacks: 2x adults
31 July A slow start to the morning but a great end to our cruise. We spotted an active yearling and a calf on our way back to the heads and were treated to a show - breaches, tail up dives, arched backs and blows. 
Whales sighted: 2 | 1 pod of humpbacks: 1x yearling, 1x calf
23 July Spectacular sightseeing weather as we set out past the heads and followed 2 pods of whales as they cruised up along the coast. We also spotted a few seals, one playing in the sea and two sunbaking on the rocks.
Whales sighted: 4 | 2 pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 2x adults
21 July A breezy day with good visibility - we observed 3 humpbacks and 8 dolphins on today's outing. 
Whales sighted: 3 | 2 pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 1x adult
19 July After almost a week of bad weather, we are finally back on the water! We observed 3 humpback pods today on our morning cruise, all within 1km of each other, and they displayed some arched backs, pectoral slaps, tail dives and blows as we cruised happily alongside. 
Whales aighted: 5 | 3 pods of humpbacks: 1x adult; 1x adult, 1x yearling (child); 2x adults
13 July We had a couple of exciting moments today. We visited 11 Seals enjoying the morning sun and not long after we spotted a pod of 4 whales, including a newborn! The newborn was still grey, indicating it may only be days, or even hours old! The adults were quite active, performing arched backs, tail dives, chin slaps and peduncle throws.
Whales sighted: 4 | 1 pod of humpbacks: 3x adults, 1 newborn
12 July Passengers and crew enjoyed a close encounter today - a playful mugging by a juvenile on our afternoon cruise. Our first mugging of the season in fact. Passengers on our morning cruise were delighted to spend time cruising alongside an adult humpback and observe some arched backs, tail dives and blows. Amazing weather was the cherry on top of a perfect day.
Whales sighted (AM): 5 | 3 pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 1x adult; 2x adults
Whales sighted (PM): 3 | 2 pods of humpbacks: 1x juvenile; 2x adults
10 July A pleasant day on the water, with just one whale popping up to say hello today. Whilst fairly tranquil, we were treated to a few arched backs and some blows.
Whales sighted: 1
09 July Calm waters and light winds are a perfect combination for a good day at sea. Our passengers and crew were treated to a few arched back and tail dives from the migrating humpbacks as they travelled north. One came close enough for us to spot white barnacles on its skin!
Whales sighted: 4 | 2 Pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 2x adults 
08 July We spent the morning cruising along with a few pods of very relaxed humpbacks, with a few blows and tail dives observed in moderate swells. 3 dolphins also spotted. 
Whales sighted: 6 | 3 Pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 2x adults; 2x adults.
07 July Another beautiful winters day, with lots of playful tail slaps observed and 2 breaches! We love breaches! Two of the whales we observed lifted their tails together in unison, leaving all in awe of these majestic creatures. A great experience had by all. 
Whales sighted: 4 | 2 Pods of humpbacks: 2x adults; 2x adults.
06 July Beautiful weather for our 4th day back on the water. We stuck with a pod of 3 cruisey whales this morning, showing themselves with several good uptimes however not a lot of action - tranquil was the word of the day.
Whales sighted: 3 | 1 Pod of humpbacks: 3x adults.
05 July A pod of 2 adult humpbacks spotted cruising effortlessly today. We observed some typical whale behaviours including blows, arched back and tail up dive however the highlight was a pod of 6 dolphins jumping around the whales mid-peduncle throw!
Whales sighted: 2 | 1 Pod of humpbacks: 2x adults.
04 July Great sightings with good activity this morning including 3 breached from a juvenile humpback and lots of tail slaps. On the afternoon tour our first pod was too good to leave, giving us a constant display for the whole cruise, much to the delight of our guests and crew! 
Whales sighted (AM): 9 | 3 Pods of humpbacks: 2x juveniles; 4x adults & 1x juvenile; 2x adults.
Whales sighted (PM): 3 | 1 Pod of humpbacks: 2x adults & 1x juvenile.
03 July We're back! Our 2020 season launch was a hit with a group of eager whale watchers excited to be out and about! We observed 12 humpbacks within clear view, plus more out in the distance. Highlights were a breach from a calf, and playful seal pups at Macquarie Lighthouse rock ledge.
Whales sighted: 12 | 3 Pods of humpbacks: 1x adult female & juvenile; 4x adults & 1x juvenile; 3x adults & 2 juveniles. 
  You can also check out our 2019 Season Whale Sightings here