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Sydney Whale Watching Cruise

3 (5 reviews)
Instant confirmation E-Voucher

Activity Schedule

  • When does it run?

    Morning Departure: 
    Non School Holidays: Sat-Sun

    School Holidays: Wed-Sun

    Afternoon Departure: Sat -Sun

  • Duration

    Approx. 2.5 hours

  • Start time

    10am & 1.15pm

  • Meeting Point
    Make your way to Darling Harbour, King St Wharf 2
  • Ending Point

    Darling Harbour, King St Wharf 2

Key Highlights

  • See magnificent humpback whales at play in the ocean
  • Thrilling family adventure
  • Enjoy informative live commentary onboard
  • Over 95% whale sighting success: If you don't sight a whale, enjoy a second cruise for free!
  • See all kinds of whales including humpbacks, orcas, southern right whales and minke
  • Both printed or smartphone vouchers accepted!
  • State-of-the-art catamaran with indoor and outdoor seating over multi-levels

Overview

Grab the opportunity to ‘sail with whales’ on this exhilarating ocean adventure from Sydney!

Board a purpose-built whale-watching catamaran and head out to sea. Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and exciting sea birds such as albatrosses, penguins and petrels. See which member of your party will be first to spot a mighty humpback whale! The coast close to Sydney is one of the world’s best places to see these magnificent creatures on migration.

Playful humpbacks are renowned for their spectacular acrobatic displays. Most dramatic is the ‘breach’ when these 40-ton animals actually leap out of the water.

There is every chance you will see the whales. But, just in case you’re unlucky, the tour comes with a guarantee. If you don’t see any whales on your trip then the tour operator gives you another cruise for free!

What's the plan:

Your exciting Whale Watching Cruise From Sydney departs from Darling Harbour. Please arrive at the Quay 30 minutes prior to sailing to collect your boarding pass. Boarding starts approximately 15 minutes prior to the sailing time.

Captain Cook Cruises Whale Watching tours operate on family-friendly catamarans, with indoor and outdoor seating over multi-levels. Passenger numbers are strictly limited to ensure everyone has great views of all the action while the onboard Marine Naturalist provides expert commentary and insights into the whale behaviour.

Sydney is a great place for whale watching. Every year, between late May and late November, thousands of humpback and other whales migrate along the Australian coastline to their feeding and breeding grounds. Whale-watchers from Sydney are able to catch the whales on both the winter migration northwards (late May to August) and the spring migration southwards (September to November)

The majestic humpbacks are the most exciting whales to watch because they often leap right out of the water, a type of behavior known as ‘breaching’.

The cruise passes Fort Denison and the Sydney Opera House and goes out through Sydney Heads. As you sail along, you will enjoy an expert live commentary.

As well as hump-back whales, you may encounter dolphins and seals as well as a rich variety of ocean birds. These could include the majestic wandering albatross, penguins, petrels, shearwaters, and skuas among others.

At the end of the 2.5-hour cruise you will be dropped back at the starting point.

Inclusions

  • Whale watching at its very best, experiencing the wonder of the Humpback migration
    • Dolphins, sometimes in their hundreds, seals, albatross and even a cheeky fairy penguin or two, are all regular sights
    • Expert commentator providing fun and educational insights into whale behavior
    • The newest Whale Watching vessels in Sydney, equipped with state-of-the-art technology
    • Family friendly, comfortable indoor and outdoor seating over multiple viewing decks
    • Approx 2.5-hour cruise from Darling Harbour, King St Wharf 2
    • Cruise past the Sydney Opera House en route to the Harbour headlands and open water
    • Over 95% whale sighting success
    • Whale sighting guaranteed or cruise again in the same season for free

    Exclusions

    • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
    • Beverages (Soft drinks and snacks are available for purchase on-board)

    Please note

    The confirmation voucher includes the local activity operator’s contact details. They’re a nice bunch, and will happily answer any logistical questions you may have. Please give them a call at least by 7:30am and 9am on the day of your cruise for the latest departure and weather information.

    Voucher information: No need to print! You can show your voucher on your smartphone or other devices. (But if you’d rather print a copy – that’s fine too!)

    Whale watching cruises may be subject to cancellation due to weather and other operational requirements. If your cruise is cancelled you may rebook another.

    So there’s no last-minute rush please arrive at the start point 30 minutes prior to sailing to collect your boarding pass.

    Boarding commences approximately 15 minutes prior to the sailing time.

    Alcohol and smoking are not permitted on the cruise. Soft drinks and snacks are available for purchase on board.

    This activity is suitable for adults (and older children) only. Little ones under the age of 5 years are not recommended on open water cruises.

    As this is an open water cruise, names of all passengers and their individual contact details are required, on arrival you will be asked to fill out a form that contains your full names, an emergency contact number and a contact number during your stay in Sydney.

    What to Bring: This is an open water cruise and you will experience sea motion. We recommend you eat lightly before and during the cruise. Travel sickness tablets are generally most effective if taken prior to the cruise. Please dress according to the weather - it will often feel colder at sea. Smoking is not permitted on board.

    Whale Guarantee: Over 95% whale sighting success. The Whale Guarantee applies when a whale is not sighted during the cruise. In this case, passengers can cruise again in the same season for free on a standby basis confirmed 24-hours prior, subject to availability.

    The Passenger Contact Information form is required to be completed prior to boarding your cruise.

    Call our reconfirmation hotline +61 2 8062 3623 from 7:15am on the day of your cruise

    Customer Reviews

    • Evelyn J Elliot
      This was an excellent cruise. Not to be missed.

      We saw multiple pods of whales which was exciting. The number of people on board was just right. No pushing or shoving to sight the whales. Crew were very friendly and...

      Australia 06/12/2011
    • Jennifer Stutt
      worth the money

      Very reasonably priced. Enjoyed it, though whale sightings weren't quite what was expected....

      Canada 12/04/2010
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