7 Standout Newcastle Whale Watching Tours

1.Port Stephens: Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 108 reviews · from $54Our pick

Join Moonshadow-TQC Cruises from Nelson Bay between May and November for a 2.5-hour ocean cruise in search of migrating humpback whales. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, listen to live commentary, and watch from open decks or indoor seating. Dolphins, seals, and seabirds may also appear, while drinks are available to buy on board.

“Great views of the migrating whales, good opportunities for photographs and video. Trip uses a modern comfortable boat with a friendly crew.”

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2.Newcastle Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $60Top rated

Join NOVA Cruises from Honeysuckle Marina for a 2.5 to 3 hour whale-watching voyage along Newcastle’s coast. Look for humpback whales, dolphins, seabirds, seals, penguins, and sharks, while enjoying harbour and outer beach views, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and morning or afternoon tea. Indoor and outdoor viewing areas make this a flexible choice.

“We saw whales spouts before we left the harbor just amazing, mom and calf around us. Obviously they did not get to close but we followed several crests, tail waves and spouts. fun and exciting. waves were substantial, if weather permits, go on top”

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3.Small Group Humpback Whale Encounter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Leave Newcastle’s Honeysuckle Foreshore on CoastXP’s two-hour whale cruise, limited to 20 people. Your English-speaking guide, such as Dom, Glen, Jane, or Dominic, explains whale behavior, coastal landmarks, and geology while you search for humpbacks, dolphins, and fur seals. Jackets, a marine toilet, and a free return trip if no whales appear are included.

“Absolutely fantastic day. We were travelling with a pod of 50 - 70 dolphins all around the boat.”

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4.Humpback Whale Watching Cruise and Harbor Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 30 reviews · 2h 30m · from $60

NOVA Cruises takes you from Newcastle Harbour into open water on a 2.5-hour, 16-meter catamaran cruise. You’ll scan for humpback whales, hear live English commentary, enjoy harbor and outer beach views, and use indoor or upper-deck viewing areas. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and morning or afternoon tea are included.

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5.Whale Watching Discovery Tour from Lake Macquarie

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $89

Join CoastXP aboard Hydro, a fast, water-level boat limited to 12 people, for a two-hour whale watch from Swansea. Guides such as Dom and Tracey explain whale behavior as you cruise through Swansea Channel, past Moon Island, and along the Caves Beach coast. Jackets, lifejackets, and a marine toilet are provided.

“A fabulous adventure to showcase our wonderful coastline and the migrating whales to a friend visiting from overseas! Thank you for a great day Dom, despite the overcast skies we loved every minute of it!!”

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6.Port Stephens, from Newcastle: Whales, hike & sand dunes!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 8h 30m · from $184

Your English-speaking guide collects you from your Newcastle address for a full day around Port Stephens. Hike Mount Tomaree or choose a flat coastal walk, take a 2.5 to 3-hour whale cruise, buy lunch at the Game Fish Club, and finish at Birubi Point with views of huge moving sand dunes.

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7.Port Stephens, departing Newcastle – Whales, hike & sand dunes!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $186

Travel from Newcastle to Port Stephens with guide Keira of Newy Tour Co. Hike Tomaree Mountain or take a flat coastal walk, buy lunch at the Game Fish Club, then take a 2.5 to 3 hour Moonshadow TQC whale cruise. Finish at Stockton Sand Dunes, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

“Keira was an amazing and professional host on our tour from Newcastle to Port Stephens! Her passion and genuine enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge made our journey truly memorable. Keira's wealth of information about the area aRead more”

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