Do a little research before you head off on your whale adventure and see if you can pick out the different species from where youre standing. Welcome to one of the longest whale watching seasons in the world. Best time for whale watching in sydney vi travel tips. Whales and whale watching in iceland, mark carwardine, isbn 997951129x. See southern right and humpback whales during australias whale watching season between may and november. Whale watching tour in sydney australia august 2016. We miss some at the start of the season and some at the end but theres a 99 percent success rate in the middle of the season, says richard ford, the owner of whale watching sydney, who brought the tours to sydney a decade ago.
Best time for whale watching in australia about australia. A whale has been freed from a fishing net or drum line it became entangled in off sydney s northern beaches. We get to see southern right whales around 45 times a season. Aug 31, 2017 whale watching in sydney is one of most interesting attractions during winter season. May, 2020 sydney harbour discovery, oz whale watching oz whale watching was awarded the new south wales gold and silver tourism awards for 2015. May 08, 2019 the whale watching season in sydney is between may and november each year but some times are better than others to increase your chances of seeing whales.
In such instances, the yacht hire agency should offer a complimentary ticket for a different time. In sydney, the whale migration goes between may and november. The whale watching season in sydney is quite long and extends from may winter through to september spring and on into december each year. On this whale watching cruise youll spend around two hours and 45 minutes out on the water, enjoying an unbeatable view of sydney s iconic landmarks and the migrating humpback whales. Whale watching is a popular pastime in sydney in the winter and spring. Whale watching in nsw nsw environment, energy and science. A humpback whale is seen breaching outside of sydney heads at the beginning of whale watching season during a manly whale watching tour on june 23, 2011 in sydney, australia. The ultimate guide to whale watching in sydneys waters this.
This historic township was once a major whaling station, and a siren was blasted to alert the harpoonists that a whale was passing. Aug 27, 2016 whale watching tour in sydney australia august 2016. Whale watching is a popular activity in sydney, so to receive the best rates on a whalespotting cruise try looking on the outskirts of the season, meaning early april and late november. Afternoon cruises operate daily, while morning cruises depart on weekends only. The 2020 whale watching season operates approximately 23 may to 28 october. See how the season progresses with the whale sightings counter.
Japan continues to lobby the international whaling council to reintroduce commercial whaling. The first trip was the 2hr adventure boat and the second trip was the 3hr cruise. Jul 08, 2017 whale watching in sydney, australia may to november sydney, australia is one of the best places in the world to spot whales because of its position along the migration path of the group 5 southern hemisphere humpback whale population. They offer daily cruises from darling harbour and circular quay from mid may to the end of november. During whalewatching season, youll see these majestic mammals from many headlands in sydney and at destinations from byron bay in the north to eden in the south. Have a whale of a time your guide to whale watching in brisbanes moreton bay. Sydney whale watching tour and lunch package experience oz.
Join our marine biologisthosted whale watching cruise thats familyfriendly on a large, modern, and stable vessel ideal for whale spotting. You can also spot minke whales, orcas, pilot whales, and southern right whales, as well as common and bottlenose dolphins around sydney, and if youre visiting later in the season you might even see some whale calves swimming and playing alongside their. Whale watching sydney offers daily whale watching cruises from mid may to the end of november departing from darling harbour and circular quay. Swim with australias marine life tourism australia. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Jun 15, 2018 the humpback whale is a large marine mammal that belongs to one of over 80 known species of cetacea. Whale watching sydney might not always bear fruits as nature can be unpredictable. Whale watching sydney 2020 all you need to know before you. Since then, the organisation for the rescue and research of cetaceans in australia orrca said there had been. Nsw whale watching season wild about whales nsw national. Humpback whale watching sydney sydney harbour boat hire. Every year, whales migrate along the nsw coastline. About whales your sydney whale watching guide captain.
On the trail of the whale, mark carwardine, isbn 1899074007. Whale watching, nature and wildlife, victoria, australia. In october 2012, lucky whale watchers also caught a glimpse of the largest animal on earth, the incredible blue whale, just off south head. The season is split into two distinct sections depending on the direction of travel of the majority of whales at that time.
In nsw, its common to see humpback whales, southern right whales and dolphins, but you may also spot orcas, blue whales, minke whales and sperm whales. Our coastline offers some of the best places to see whales up close, with superb tours departing locations around the nation, including sydney, perth, gold coast, sunshine coast, melbourne and more. Humpback whales are lighter and move faster than the southern right whale. When you experience a whale watching cruise in sydney, youre almost certainly assured of not only regular sightings of migrating whales in season, but also the opportunity to absorb the worldfamous sydney harbour bridge and beyond. Success rate is 98% and all cruises are guaranteed to see whales. A humpback whale is seen breaching outside of sydney heads. But the absolute best time to see them is late june and early july probably. The humpback whales are usually identified by their enormous size, majestic whale songs and their aerial acrobatics abilities such as their ability to continuously breach the water in spite of their large bodies. Each year, from may to november, more than 30,000 humpback and southern right whales make their way along the coastline, in their annual migration from antarctica to the warmer waters of the pacific. The best type of day to go whale watching in sy dney with kids will be calm with low wind it makes it easier to spot the whales. The long whale season in australia between may and november no doubt contributes to its growing popularity. Weve been walking sydneys coastline for years, so here are our tips on how to take advantage of nature to get the best out of your whale watching time. Wild about whales is a celebration of whales along the nsw coastline.
Whale watching sydney, whale watching season sydney. With up to 35m long it is the largest animal to have ever lived on our planet. They dont migrate like the humpback whale does and there are not as many. You can go whale watching all winter and spring may november in sydney. Ningaloo reef in western australia is an existing hot spot for swimming with whale sharks, and operators have now extended their seasons march july in exmouth, and march june in coral bay to accommodate for the humpback migration july october annually. Whale watching trips in north america, patricia corrigan, isbn 1559716835. In july 20, a blue whale was again spotted cruising off cape solander in kamay botany bay national park, in sydneys south. Guide to whale watching in brisbane visit brisbane. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. In sydney, winter is your best bet to catch a glimpse of some humpback whales, as 20,000 of them make moves along the new south wales coastline between may to august. Did a whale watching tour with sydney whale watching twice during my trip is sydney because it is that good.
Whale watching in australia is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity along various coasts. One of the best spots it cape solander lookout within the botany bay national park, just south of sydney. There are excellent vantage points in sydney where you can see these giants of the deep at play. Whale watching sydney 2020 all you need to know before. Best whale watching in sydney with kids the kid bucket list. There are a few whale watching spots in sydney area. Find australias best whale watching cruises this whale watching season. Both our 2hr adventure cruise and 3hr discovery cruise maximize whale watching time with a quick trip less. Ocean dreaming ii is our newest vessel, very fast, modern, comfortable with active ride control to smooth out the bumps at sea, searchlight sonar to find the whales underwater and plenty of whale watching deck space, it is the newest and most advanced whale watching vessel in australia. Sydney s best whale watching cruises with more than 25 years of experience. Sydney whale watching 2020 all you need to know before you.
Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. Whales have been entering the beautiful headlands of sydney harbour since long before sydney became the bustling city it. Daily whale sightings captain cook cruises is australias most rewarded cruise. Bottom line is a reliable yacht hiring agency for whale watching sydney should always make sure you get to see the magnificent animals. The ultimate guide to whale watching in sydneys waters. The whale watching season in sydney is between may and. Available for android and ios, download the wild about whales app and log. This allowed onlookers to photograph and watch the whales, whilst allowing them to swim where they liked and be left relatively undisturbed.
Check out our pick of the best whale watching vantage points, tours and accommodation in nsw. It is extraordinary to think that right in the heart of australia s largest city you can have a unique whale watching experience. Also, see other marine wildlife such as dolphins, albatross, seals and the beautiful coastline of sydney. Whale watching cruise departs darling harbour, sydney. Sometimes whales are spotted as close as 200 m from the coast. Whale watching australia 2017 sydney, gold coast, hervey. Plus, theres even a whale sighting guarantee if you dont see whales on your cruise youre entitled to another cruise in the same whale watching season entirely free. Whale watching in sydney official sydney tourism website. Sydney ferries services to darling harbour depart circular quay wharf 5 every half hour. During whale watching season, youll see these majestic mammals from many headlands in sydney and at destinations from byron bay in the north to eden in the south more than 50 per cent of the planets species of cetaceans whales, dolphins and porpoises. August looks like quite month in this chart, but is not because there are no whales. The distance from the coast of the whales is believed to be. It is not the most tourist season in sydney, but you should try whale watching if you are visiting the city during this period.
Whale watching in sydney, australia may to november. Fortunately these days the siren is still sounded, but only to alert the public that whales are nearby. The overall whale watching season in the greater fraser island area typically begins in late july and lasts through to late november, so if youre looking to get the best out of two of the most visually impressive naturebased destinations in qld, then a trip to fraser island during whale watching season is a great choice that can make for. The most commonly sighted whales are humpbackssome 20,000 of them traverse australia s eastern coastline during their annual migration. Here on our beautiful west coast, from may december the humpback, southern right whales and the rare blue whales, can be seen on their epic migration, from the foodrich southern ocean, as they hug the coast and journey north, to warm breeding grounds of kimberley coast. The best whale watching viewing times are early morning or late afternoon.
Whale app app wild about whales nsw national parks. A humpback whale was seen travelling north as early as march 21 off port macquarie. During the migration season, the whales are on a constant swim both day and night, although they can be hard to spot. Whaling in australia took place from 1788 to 1978 and was once commercially successful. Jul 09, 2018 324 got invited on a whale watching cruise in sydney by fantasea. The east australian current is a strong southerly current that the humpback whales make use of during their southern migration.
For more info about whales in sydney download the about whales whale. Oct 01, 2015 the whale watching season in sydney is quite long maynovember, but it is not always very busy. Whale watching in sy dney is one of most interesting attractions during winter season. Another popular whale watching spot is the fairfax lookout, north headthe gateway to sydney harbour. Able to see whales for both trips including whales breaching on both trip. About whales whale watching cruises sydney, australia.
Jun 15, 2018 the whale watching sydney season 2018 and the humpback whale migration passing sydney takes place between april and december each year. Download wild about whales and enjoy it on your iphone, ipad and ipod touch. Whales migrate in their thousands along the nsw coast, which stretches more than 2,000 km. However, the skipper found a mother and baby for us and it was magical. All along australias coastline are fantastic spots to see whales. Travel along victorias spectacular southern coastline and watch humpback whales, southern right whales, blue whales and orcas as they make their annual pilgrimage from the feeding grounds of antarctica to give birth and raise their calves in australia s warmer waters. It is the middle of winter and sea can be rough and you wont have much fun to be on the boat, so some whale watching tours are canceled because of weather during this period. The whale watching season runs from may to november so going out at the end of october was always taking a chance. During the 5,000 kilometre journey, whales pass along australias coasts including the new south wales coast near sydney. End of junejuly and then october is probably the best time of year for whale watch in sydney. In july 2002, a whale and its calf swam deep into the harbour, going underneath the sydney harbour bridge, where an exclusion zone was set up by the nsw national parks and wildlife service. Whether youre a swimmer and ready for the once in a lifetime experience of swimming with whales, or if youd rather keep your feet on the ground and see whales frolic in the ocean from the beach or a cruise, theres a spot in australia perfect for your style of whale watching. However, in winter months from june to august, whale numbers are fewer and rough seas preclude many of the whale watching cruises from leaving the harbour. Whale watching season in sydney is incredible, and its something you need to see for yourself.
We done the whale watching and jet boat ride with blake on saturday 19th may 2018 first day of the season and i couldnt recommend it enough. But the absolute best time to see them is late june and early july probably the last week of june and the first week of july, around about the winter solstice. Top spots for whale watching in australia tourism australia. Whale watching, discovery travel adventures insight guide. Download the wild about whales app so you can follow the whales progress during the. If you want to see whales without having to travel far from sydney, this tour is the option youre looking for. Whether you are a local or a visitor, whale watching in sydney on the iconic sydney harbour and surrounding coastline is a magical experience. Get the latest sightings, learn whale facts and plan your next coastal adventure. Im planning a trip to sydney and melbourne in december. Whale watching in austr alia is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity along various coasts. Whale watching sydney has over 25 years of experience watching whales. There are a number of different migration and whale seasons. But whale watching season differs throughout the country and so do the kinds of whales youll see.
Whale watching tours and coastal activities take place at nsw national parks all. They boast a unique white underside, long flippers, and a small dorsal back fin. Jul 19, 2012 in total, about 3000 whales migrate past and sometimes come inside sydney harbour so youve got a great chance of spotting one or two over the season. About whales whale watching season info whale watching. Apr 27, 2020 whale watching is a popular activity in sydney, so to receive the best rates on a whale spotting cruise try looking on the outskirts of the season, meaning early april and late november. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images. Best custom built, fast and spacious vessels to give you the best day possible out at sea. Whale news headlines 9news latest news and headlines from. Find australia s best whale watching cruises this whale watching season.
Get up close and personal between june and november. The migrating population is named the group 5 southern hemisphere humpback whale population or the australian east coast humpbacks. In migration season, majestic humpback whales swing by south east queensland on their 10,000km trek to the warm, tropical water up north. Whale watching in sydney more than 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises can be found in waters surrounding australia. Here is a chart with weekly humpback whale sightings in sydney between 2010 and 2012. The humpback whale migration passing sydney takes place between april and december each year. Whale watching sydney season sydney harbour boat hire get.
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