Best of · WHALE WATCHING CRUISES IN AUSTRALIA

15 Standout Whale Watching Cruises in Australia

32 tours  ·  from $45 a head

The 15 best whale watching cruises in Australia you can book today, with the price on the ticket, how long the crossing runs and which animal you are going out for. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - The 40-minute run toward the whales
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Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

1.Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

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

Join Sydney Harbour Attractions at Circular Quay for a 165-minute whale-watching cruise along the coast. A live English-speaking guide explains whale behavior as you search from spacious decks and comfortable seats. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, toilets, and a licensed bar are onboard. Bring warm layers and seasickness tablets.

“We enjoyed our excursion. The naturalist was very interesting and we learned a few things we didn't know about humpback whales. The beautiful weather and scenery made it a lovely outing on its own, but seeing whales, including a mother and offspring, was wonderful.”

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Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast - Five hours aboard the Eye Spy
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Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

2.Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

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

Set out from Redcliffe aboard the purpose-built Eye Spy for a five-hour Moreton Bay whale cruise, available June through November. Watch for humpback whales, calves, dolphins, turtles, and breaching whales while the crew explains what you are seeing. Your ticket includes a gourmet picnic lunchbox, live commentary, and guaranteed whale sightings, with Brisbane and Sunshine Coast pickup available.

“This was an absolutely amazing trip. To see the whales up close like that is just spectacular. I was concerned about how engaging in a tour like this may adversely affect the whales, but the crew were very clear (and proud!) about how their boat is specifically designed to not disturb the whales, and once you are out there you see that the whales if anything are just as interested in us as we are in them. We were not chasing them and they could have easily gotten away from us if they wanted. The person providing commentary helped you to spot the whales easily and provided a lot of…”

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Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise - Watching humpbacks in their seasonal home
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Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise

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

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

Join Freedom Whale Watch at Great Sandy Strait Marina for a six-hour catamaran cruise into Platypus Bay. Skipper Toni and the crew explain whale behavior as you watch humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The day includes hotel transfers, morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, indoor and outdoor seating, and a whale-sighting guarantee from 15 July to 10 October.

“Five stars to the crew of Freedom III - a truly memorable day on the water cruising with the whales out from Hervey Bay. This is the only way to experience extended time interacting with the migrating whales . Both morning and afternoon tea Read more”

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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast - Sydney Harbour views before the whale search
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Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

4.Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise Including Lunch or Breakfast

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

Cruise from Sydney Harbour past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Manly Beach, Watsons Bay, and The Gap before searching for humpback whales in the Pacific. Choose breakfast or a BBQ lunch, listen to live commentary, and keep motion-sickness medicine close. The cruise runs May to November and returns to the starting point.

“Had a wonderful boat trip from Sydney harbour in November. Very well organised and for all ages. Staff so helpful and informative. I knew the migration season was ending but was still hopeful of seeing some and this trip didn’t disappoint.”

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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise - The first 20 minutes: harbour views and open ocean
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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

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. Choose the open sun deck, covered rear deck, or air-conditioned cabin. Guides such as Josh, Wayde, and Kate have added lively commentary on some departures. No whale sighting means a free return cruise.

“Great afternoon out got to see some whales and dolphins.”

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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise - The ride out and the first whale search
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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

6.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 553 reviews · from $111

Join Tasman Venture’s four-hour Hervey Bay catamaran cruise for guaranteed humpback sightings, live commentary, underwater windows, hydrophones, tea, snacks, and hotel pickup. The crew, including guides such as Rachael, explains whale behavior in clear detail, while children have toys and DVDs to keep busy. Views toward K’gari add to the trip.

“This is an absolute must do. Great end to our honeymoon. We saw plenty of whales and the staff were very friendly.”

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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise - The ride out and the first whale search
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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

7.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 538 reviews · from $105

Join Tasman Venture at Great Sandy Straits Marina for a four-hour catamaran cruise among Hervey Bay’s humpback whales. Watch from the outdoor platform or underwater windows, hear whale song through hydrophones, and enjoy tea, coffee, cake, biscuits, and an antipasto platter. Hotel pickup, children’s activities, and a free return cruise if no whales appear are included.

“What a wonderful day you managed to tick off 1 of my bucket lists. It truly was a magical experience to see such giants gracefully play”

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From Fremantle: 2-Hour Luxury Whale-Watching Cruise - Searching Perth’s sheltered waters for humpbacks
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From Fremantle: 2-Hour Luxury Whale-Watching Cruise

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

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

From Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, you’ll spend two hours aboard the Steep Point, a purpose-built catamaran with five viewing decks, warm indoor seating, and live commentary from marine mammal experts. Look for humpback whales resting, breaching, tail slapping, and socializing in Perth’s sheltered waters. Mothers and calves are often seen from October.

“We saw a lot of whales ! Very very nice experience!”

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Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise - The ride across Platypus Bay
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Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

9.Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 452 reviews · from $111

Spend about 4.5 hours aboard the Spirit of Hervey Bay in Platypus Bay, watching humpback whales from spacious decks, a waterline platform, and underwater viewing rooms. The crew shares facts about whale behavior, while tea, coffee, and cake are included. Free Hervey Bay accommodation transfers or marina parking make this an easy half-day outing.

“We always enjoy this tour. The captain/hosts and crew provide a most enjoyable trip out to Platypus Bay, with entertaining and informative commentary. You will see whales and it seems to be every year there are more and more. I love this tour and highly recommend it. Comfortable and fun.”

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Brisbane: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch - Boarding MV Eye Spy
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Brisbane: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

10.Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

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

Set out from the Redcliffe Peninsula aboard the multi-million-dollar MV Eye Spy for a five-hour whale-watching cruise in Moreton Bay. Captain Kerry Lopez and her crew guide you toward humpback whales, explain their behavior, and serve a fresh picnic lunchbox. Brisbane hotel pickup is available, and every ticket helps fund whale research.

“It was just amazing. The whales came so close to the boat. Highly recommended.”

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Gold Coast: Premium Whale Watching Cruise - Starting at Sea World Cruise Terminal in Main Beach
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Gold Coast: Premium Whale Watching Cruise

11.Premium Whale Watching Cruise

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

Join Sea World Whale Watch from Main Beach for a 2.5-hour cruise toward the Humpback Highway. Captain Wayno and marine guides explain whale behavior while you watch for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The Spirit of Migaloo II offers open viewing areas, underwater microphones, a bar, and a 100% whale sighting guarantee.

“We were lucky enough to see breaching various times but also without this lucky encounter it had been really great. Overall an amazing tour and the one I have liked most of all the activities I did here. Other people possibly couldn’t enjoy the tour that much because of seasickness. Consider that the sea can be pretty rough this far outside.”

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Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise - Boarding at Great Sandy Straits Marina
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Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise

12.Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 363 reviews · from $85

Set out from Urangan on Quick Cat II for four hours among the waters of Hervey Bay, K’gari, and Platypus Bay. A local crew helps you watch humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and possibly dingoes from four viewing decks. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with tea served on the return.

“Probably one of the greatest experiences of my 63 years. It was so emotional seeing these amazing mammals. Thank you for allowing us to share their ocean.”

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Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise - A vessel built for whale watching
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Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise

13.Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $63

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard Kokomo Cruises’ fast, compact vessel from Main Beach, heading through the seaway to the Gold Coast’s Whale Highway. You get 360-degree views, crew commentary, limited seating, and a whale sighting guarantee with a free return ticket if no whales appear.

“Very comfortable boat. Richard Marni were great and quite knowledgable. Overall a great experience. Definitely worth it !”

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Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch - Leaving the harbour for the Tasman Sea
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Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch

14.Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 340 reviews · 4 hours · from $70

Cruise from Circular Quay through Sydney Heads and into the Tasman Sea for about four hours, tracking migrating humpback whales with live English commentary. Choose a hot breakfast on selected weekends or a daily lunch buffet. Guides such as Judy and Biggles have been praised for sharp spotting and lively explanations, but sightings and sea conditions vary.

“Incredible experience, the crew were all so lovely and helpful. The lunch provided was of great quality with plenty of options to choose from. Would recommend this trip to anyone considering it!”

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Whale Watching Cruise from Busselton, Augusta or Dunsborough - Choosing Augusta, Busselton or Dunsborough
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Whale Watching Cruise from Busselton, Augusta or Dunsborough

15.Whale Watching Cruise from Busselton, Augusta or Dunsborough

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

Cruise with All Sea Charters from Augusta, Busselton or Dunsborough for close views of migrating humpback whales. Captain Zip and marine biologists provide lively commentary, while the stable two-level boat gives you room to move, watch from the bow or upper deck, and shelter in the cabin. Dolphins, seals, seabirds and the occasional blue whale may also appear.

“we got to see several pods of whale throughout the 2+hrs trip. tesh was very knowledgeable and shared many insightful facts about the whales. highly recommended!”

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New in Whale Watching Cruises in Australia

★ 5.0Broome Sunset & Whale Watching CruiseFrom $1192 reviews
★ 5.0Port Stephens 3 Hour Whale and Dolphin Watch CruiseFrom $6253 reviews
★ 4.4Philip Island: Dolphin and Whale CruiseFrom $9548 reviews
★ 4.6Nelson Bay: Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran CruiseFrom $6347 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watching Cruise from MooloolabaFrom $71120 reviews
★ 3.8Humpback Whale Watching Cruise and Harbor TourFrom $6030 reviews
★ 4.5Port Stephens: Whale Watching CruiseFrom $54108 reviews
★ 5.0Newcastle Whale Watching CruiseFrom $6061 reviews
★ 5.0Noosa Whale Watching Cruise – Humpback Whale AdventureFrom $71144 reviews
★ 4.9Humpback Whale-Watching Half-Day CruiseFrom $84153 reviews
★ 4.5Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching CruiseFrom $109121 reviews

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