"Hey! What was that just now?!" If you're hanging out by the Sydney coastline and it’s winter, it can only mean one thing! The whales are back!
As winter sets in every year in Sydney, the whales make their annual trek up from Antarctica to the warmer, northern waters to mate, give birth and nurse the newborns. This marks the official Sydney whale watching season, the best time to spot these big blue ocean swimmers in the wild!
Humpback Whales are the most common sightings, but if you're lucky you might even spot a Blue Whale, a few Minke Whales, or even the ocean’s apex predators, orcas! So, without further ado, let's dive into the top whale watching spots in Sydney!
In A Nutshell
Whale Watching Cruises
We’re not playing favourites… but if we were, we'd easily give the cruises the undisputed #1 spot. Whale Watching Cruises in Sydney are your best bet at seeing the whales up close. These cruises have a marine biologist on board who'll drop crazy whale facts and stories. The cruises typically last 2-4 hours. And if you don't see a whale, well, guess it's not your day. Just kidding! If whales aren’t spotted (99% you will), these cruises offer a free return ticket — come back for another cruise for free! It’s one of Sydney’s top water activities for a reason!
Cape Solander
Cape Solander, in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park is one of Sydney's prime whale spotting vantage points. Here, the whales pass by as close as 200 metres to the shore and you can watch them from a purpose-built elevated viewing platform. With plenty of benches and paved walking paths, this area is accessible for everyone! Not just whales — visitors here have often reported sightings of sharks, seals and dolphins! So, keep those binos in hand at all times!
Bonus: If you're all about nature, try the wildflower guided tour, where you'll join expert botanists for a 2-hour walk scouting for whales & wildflowers.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Towering 100 metres above the sea level in the legendary Ku-ring-gai Chase National park, Barrenjoey Lighthouse Headland is another crowd-favourite whale watching place. The heritage-listed lighthouse is not merely a tourist beacon, but a great spot to see the gentle giants that frolic near the shores. To get there, choose between a scenic 1km walk with stunning views of Palm Beach or tackle the steeper Smuggler’s Track, a trail made possible by sneaky seafarers who used to smuggle contraband into Sydney.
Ben Buckler Point
One of the most underrated whale watching spots in Sydney is Ben Buckler Point at Bondi Beach. Yes, the iconic Bondi Beach isn't just about hipster cafes and bronzed beachgoers, it's a great place to watch the whales in their natural habitat. The best vantage point is high above the water at the northern end of the beach, so the key is to get as high as possible on top of a cliff.
Bonus: Lace up your hiking boots and do the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk — there's a chance you might spot whales at multiple points during your walk!
Sydney Head Lookouts
South Head is known for its stunning ocean cliffs, windswept views and a slice of history with the red-and-white Hornby Lighthouse. The clifftops at 'The Gap' is an excellent vantage point to watch the majestic giants in their element, as they swim close to the shoreline along the Tasman Sea.
Hop on a ferry to Manly and head to North Head. The Fairfax Walk is a gentle walking track with several lookouts, each better than the last. With sweeping views of the city skyline and harbour in the distance, it's easy to get distracted, so stay focused on the horizon for a splash! It's tough to believe you're only 11 kms away from CBD — it’s just close enough to civilisation, yet feels like an escape without giving up your phone signal.
From the dramatic cliffs of North Head to the highly popular whale cruises departing from Sydney Harbour, Sydney makes whale watching easy, exciting and totally unforgettable. It’s one of the few cities in the world where skyscrapers and tail slaps share the same skyline. So, don’t miss out this winter!
As winter sets in every year in Sydney, the whales make their annual trek up from Antarctica to the warmer, northern waters to mate, give birth and nurse the newborns. This marks the official Sydney whale watching season, the best time to spot these big blue ocean swimmers in the wild!
Humpback Whales are the most common sightings, but if you're lucky you might even spot a Blue Whale, a few Minke Whales, or even the ocean’s apex predators, orcas! So, without further ado, let's dive into the top whale watching spots in Sydney!
In A Nutshell
- Cape Solander is the top shore-based spot for proximity and facilities
- Whale Watching Cruises from Circular Quay & Darling Harbour offers the closest whale encounters and more immersive experiences
- Barrenjoey Lighthouse offers iconic views and a rewarding hike
- South & North Heads have plenty of hiking trails and iconic lookout points
- Ben Buckler Point is where you can make a day out of watching whales, hopping bars and soaking up the sun
Whale Watching Cruises
We’re not playing favourites… but if we were, we'd easily give the cruises the undisputed #1 spot. Whale Watching Cruises in Sydney are your best bet at seeing the whales up close. These cruises have a marine biologist on board who'll drop crazy whale facts and stories. The cruises typically last 2-4 hours. And if you don't see a whale, well, guess it's not your day. Just kidding! If whales aren’t spotted (99% you will), these cruises offer a free return ticket — come back for another cruise for free! It’s one of Sydney’s top water activities for a reason!
Cape Solander
Cape Solander, in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park is one of Sydney's prime whale spotting vantage points. Here, the whales pass by as close as 200 metres to the shore and you can watch them from a purpose-built elevated viewing platform. With plenty of benches and paved walking paths, this area is accessible for everyone! Not just whales — visitors here have often reported sightings of sharks, seals and dolphins! So, keep those binos in hand at all times!
Bonus: If you're all about nature, try the wildflower guided tour, where you'll join expert botanists for a 2-hour walk scouting for whales & wildflowers.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Towering 100 metres above the sea level in the legendary Ku-ring-gai Chase National park, Barrenjoey Lighthouse Headland is another crowd-favourite whale watching place. The heritage-listed lighthouse is not merely a tourist beacon, but a great spot to see the gentle giants that frolic near the shores. To get there, choose between a scenic 1km walk with stunning views of Palm Beach or tackle the steeper Smuggler’s Track, a trail made possible by sneaky seafarers who used to smuggle contraband into Sydney.
Ben Buckler Point
One of the most underrated whale watching spots in Sydney is Ben Buckler Point at Bondi Beach. Yes, the iconic Bondi Beach isn't just about hipster cafes and bronzed beachgoers, it's a great place to watch the whales in their natural habitat. The best vantage point is high above the water at the northern end of the beach, so the key is to get as high as possible on top of a cliff.
Bonus: Lace up your hiking boots and do the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk — there's a chance you might spot whales at multiple points during your walk!
Sydney Head Lookouts
South Head is known for its stunning ocean cliffs, windswept views and a slice of history with the red-and-white Hornby Lighthouse. The clifftops at 'The Gap' is an excellent vantage point to watch the majestic giants in their element, as they swim close to the shoreline along the Tasman Sea.
Hop on a ferry to Manly and head to North Head. The Fairfax Walk is a gentle walking track with several lookouts, each better than the last. With sweeping views of the city skyline and harbour in the distance, it's easy to get distracted, so stay focused on the horizon for a splash! It's tough to believe you're only 11 kms away from CBD — it’s just close enough to civilisation, yet feels like an escape without giving up your phone signal.
From the dramatic cliffs of North Head to the highly popular whale cruises departing from Sydney Harbour, Sydney makes whale watching easy, exciting and totally unforgettable. It’s one of the few cities in the world where skyscrapers and tail slaps share the same skyline. So, don’t miss out this winter!
