The 11 Best Whale Watching Cruises in Australia

1.Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,790 reviews · 2h 45m · from $63Our pick

Cruise from Circular Quay along Sydney’s coast for 2 hours and 45 minutes aboard a spacious catamaran. Your English-speaking guide shares whale facts while you watch for humpbacks, dolphins, and other wildlife. Open decks, indoor seating, hot drinks, toilets, and a licensed bar add comfort, though open water can be rough.

“Loved the rocking and rolling of the boat. The crew did everything they could to find whales and we were very lucky to see a Mum and her calf swimming in the ocean. It was amazing watching them in their natural habitat. The crew were great. I highly recommend booking this excursion with Sydney Whale watching.”

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2.Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 997 reviews · from $114Top rated

Join Brisbane Whale Watching at Redcliffe for a five-hour Moreton Bay cruise aboard the Eye Spy. From June to November, you will search for migrating humpback whales with live commentary from the crew, an included gourmet picnic lunchbox, and optional pickup from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast. Premium and VIP seating upgrades are available.

“Loved seeing the whales up close and watching the whales breaching was the highlight. We also enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crew for their job and the love for the whales.”

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3.Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $125

Join Freedom Whale Watch at 9:30 am for a six-hour catamaran cruise from Urangan to Platypus Bay. Skippers such as Toni share practical whale knowledge while you watch humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The day includes hotel transfers, three viewing levels, morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and a whale sighting guarantee from 15 July to 10 October.

“One of the most amazing Whale watching experiences. The staff were friendly, informative, kind and entertaining. The food they prepared was amazing and the cruise had plenty of space to move around and watch whales. We encountered more than 20 whales and also few dolphins. It was a magical experience getting to see the whales up close. 10/10 would recommend to go with Freedom again.”

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4.Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 878 reviews · from $74

Start at King Street Wharf or the Eastern Pontoon, depending on your booking details, with breakfast or a BBQ lunch aboard Sydney Princess Cruises. See the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Manly Beach, Watsons Bay, and Sydney Heads before searching for humpback whales. The four-hour cruise runs May to November and includes live commentary.

“Well organised , clear and knowledgeable commentator. We had a wonderful 4.5 hours and had the pleasure of seeing 4 humpbacks including a young calf. Mother and calf spent ages within reasonable distance of the boat, one of the highlights of my life . Thank you 😊 Lunch was good too !”

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5.2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

From Circular Quay, Fantasea Crystal reaches the open ocean in about 20 minutes, leaving roughly 90 minutes to look for humpback whales, dolphins, and seals. You can watch from the open sun deck, covered rear deck, or air-conditioned cabin. Guides such as Josh, Wayde, and Kate add friendly commentary, and a free return cruise is offered if no whales are seen.

“Out of this world!! On our cruise we saw about 10 whales, three of which we stayed close to for about an hour (of course, at a safe and respectable distance away from them!). The guides were incredibly knowledgeable about the whales and their habits, spotting whales after sailing for only 20 minutes! Would definitely recommend!”

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6.Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 571 reviews · from $99

Set out from King Street Wharf with the Whale Tales crew for a 2.5-hour trip beneath the Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House, and beyond Sydney Heads. Guides such as Rex, Mette, Alex, Mawi, and Isaac share whale facts while you search for humpbacks, dolphins, and other marine life. A whale sighting earns a memorable outing, and no sighting brings a free return cruise.

“We had to contact the operator, as we where due to travel on the 9am tour but our uber dropped us at the wrong wharf. They were very helpful and booked us onto the 3pm tour instead. The tour did not disappoint and we saw whales. I nice touch was a photographer on board who took photos and we received them in the evening. Highly recommend.”

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7.From Fremantle: 2-Hour Luxury Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 455 reviews · 2 hours · from $67

Meet the Whale Watch Western Australia crew at Sardine Jetty and spend two hours aboard the Steep Point, a three-level catamaran with five viewing decks. You can watch humpback whales from the open bow, upper deck, or heated lounge while a marine mammal expert explains their behavior. Mothers and calves are often seen from October.

“Amazing experience we got to see so many whales and they came up so close!”

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8.Brisbane: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 448 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $113

Spend about five hours aboard MV Eye Spy searching Moreton Bay for humpback whales. Captain Kerry Lopez leads the cruise, with optional Brisbane hotel pickup and a fresh picnic lunchbox served on board. Expect helpful whale-spotting guidance, a licensed bar, and a vessel designed for comfort, though motion sickness can be a concern.

“The whales were truly amazing, and at one point I was confused about which way to look. But, it was shorter than the specified time. You only get to watch the whales for an hour. Lunch should be served after you've fully returned. It's not good to squeeze in a meal instead of watching the whales. Just watch the whales without eating.”

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9.Gold Coast: Premium Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 444 reviews · 150 minutes - 1 day · from $63

Cruise from Sea World Cruise Terminal toward the Gold Coast’s Humpback Highway aboard Spirit of Migaloo II. Marine naturalist guides and captains explain the whales, while underwater microphones may pick up their songs. The 150-minute trip can also reveal dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. Children under 3 cannot join.

“Great day out bucket list experience thanks Tiana for the hopo ride and the whale watch”

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10.Whale Watching Cruise from Busselton, Augusta or Dunsborough

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 325 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $67

Cruise Geographe Bay or Augusta waters for about two hours with an experienced skipper, marine biologist and a spacious whale-watching boat. Depending on the season, look for humpbacks, southern right whales, pygmy blue whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds. Depart from Augusta, Busselton or Dunsborough.

“Amazing experience with a friendly and knowledgable team who were keen to ensure we saw as much as possible. We saw many whales , several breaching and were very lucky to see a mother with newborn calf. This was the best value boat trip I have experienced anywhere and hope to do it again in the future.”

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11.Hervey Bay: Half-Day Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 277 reviews · 4 hours · from $84

Join Captain Phil and the Amaroo crew for a four-hour whale-watching cruise from Hervey Bay. You get three open decks, expert commentary, tea and biscuits, and a good chance of seeing humpbacks close to the boat. Sightings are guaranteed from August 1 to October 7, with a complimentary return ticket if no whale is found.

“Whales were up close and commentary interesting. Morning tea could be improved as biscuits were mostly broken.”

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