Tours and Tickets
Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise
4

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise

By Captain Cook Cruises
About
from
$58.09
per adult
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 120 per group
Duration: 2h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English


  • Live commentary on board
  • 2.5 Hour Whale Watching Cruise
What's not included
  • Food and drinks (available to purchase)


Departure details
  • Circular Quay Wharf 6, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Please check in at least 20 minutes prior to departure to collect tickets from the ticket office located at the departure wharf Circular Quay Wharf 6.
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3378WHALE

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Please dress appropriately and wear warm clothing. It will often feel cooler at sea
  • If you are susceptible to travel sickness, please bring the relevant medication
  • Whale Guarantee: If a whale is not sighted during your cruise, you'll be given the opportunity to cruise again for free
  • Reconfirmation Hotline - Call +61-2-8062 3623 from 7.15am on the day of your cruise to confirm the cruise is going ahead. Cruises may be cancelled subject to weather conditions.
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Not recommended for travelers 3 years and younger
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 120 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

How much is Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise?
Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise price starts from $57.80. Discover and book Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise on Tripadvisor
What is the Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise cancellation policy?
Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise on Tripadvisor
Which company provides Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise?
Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise is hosted by Captain Cook Cruises. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Captain Cook Cruises on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise on Tripadvisor
How much time do I need for Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise?
On average, this experience will take approximately 2h 30m. Discover and book Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise on Tripadvisor

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3378WHALE

Reserve your spot

Similar experiences

About the operator
Captain Cook Cruises
2,812
Australia
Joined in December 2019

#35 of 192 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Sydney
  • tuanl52
    tuanl52
    0
    0
    staff.
    on Sep 17 2023, my son lost us in the crowd, they found him for us . The staff was lovely, they will help when you need. we would like to send to them many thank.
  • kyliea452
    kyliea452
    0
    0
    Beautiful zoo and views!
    Beautiful zoo! The views of Sydney from the zoo are incredible. Ferry makes the trip extremely quick and easy. Make sure to leave to the zoo before 11 am to make sure you have enough time before the ferry returns in the afternoon. The zoo has a lot to see.
  • W4953RAclementg
    W4953RAclementg
    0
    0
    Sydney Harbor Experience Cruise 🛳
    Value for money highly recommended check it out Hasta La Vista 🇦🇺 My 1st visit to Sydney Australia will be back 🎬
  • Travelove58
    Travelove58
    0
    0
    Convenient package to see zoo & get fast trip there but....
    We booked this package as it incorporate the zoo ticket & covenient/fast ferry transport to the zoo. Its not a very big ferry compared to the public one but a nicer one & less crowded. However one really need to plan your zoo visit trip timing well due to limited return ferry times. Infact, there are only 3 return timings from Toranga Zoo & its about 2 hours wait. So if you miss any of them, either wait very long for next one or pay again, to take the public one
  • jih4travel
    jih4travel
    0
    0
    Good intro to Sydney
    A great way to see the city and get oriented is to take the ferry across to the zoo, The zoo is perched on top of a hill overlooking the city with fantastic views.
  • Daniel R
    Daniel R
    0
    0
    Fun dinner cruise in the harbour
    Family flew up to Sydney for bday celebrations and suggested this dinner cruise. It was great to see the harbour bridge and opera house at sunset. The food was delicious and cocktails were pleasant. I enjoyed the band singing covers of great songs. I would recommend.
  • LizandTony
    LizandTony
    0
    0
    Beautiful sights; not tourist-friendly
    The sole reason for only 3 stars is that there was no live audio presentation of any kind. There was an option to download an audio tour. This was on a pamphlet that was handed out at the beginning, but there was no suggestion given to download the audio right away and I wasn’t able to get it (and missed the first part of the tour because I was focused on trying to do so). The cruise made a stop at Barangaroo where people could disembark. We suggest doing this because you can see some wonderful sights. However, there was no announcement about this stop at all. This was confusing to us and may have been to others.
  • deniselux2015
    deniselux2015
    0
    0
    Too rushed!!!
    The boat was lovely and the food was great, staff very helpful. But it was all so rushed, only 2 hours from start to finish!! You were barely seated when your starter arrived. No time to savor the food and relax with your drinks. A pity because this spoiled an otherwise lovely evening.
  • RonaldW_12
    RonaldW_12
    0
    0
    Easy access to a great Zoo
    Easy to redeeom at the Captain Cook ticket office. Made the first 9:15a ferry to the zoo and the first one coming back at 1:10p. Booked the first Koala experience at store just before entrance. Everything went smoothly and fun morning/early afternoon at the zoo. Not as grand as the San Diego Zoo but still one of the best.
  • leonesandrac
    leonesandrac
    0
    0
    Special day!
    A fabulous way to see the sights of beautiful Sydney harbour.Beautiful big windows on our boat,cleaned to perfection for clear viewing.Food served with a smile was delicious,fresh and hot! The long lunch cruise is excellent value for money and was a great way to celebrate Dad's 91st birthday.Ease of access for elderly on Ocean deck but be mindful to get to upper decks there's a few stairs.Open air deck on top is a must,if you're able,to enjoy unencumbered photo ops.A great day out had by all!
  • rebeccamichelle99
    rebeccamichelle99
    0
    0
    Really fun experience for family and friends!
    Had a great time with my boyfriend here while visiting Sydney! Would recommend for everyone, very family friendly and had a great experience. Will for sure come back if we’re ever in Sydney again! 😁
  • PranaSantaFe
    PranaSantaFe
    0
    0
    I would recommend other options
    The zoo seems well designed, but many of the exhibits were closed for repair/redesign - the gondola was not operational. Signage and directions could be better as well. I would recommend using the Opal card and taking the regular ferry which runs more often. The ferry for this booked tour has a limited schedule. I don’t see any significant cost savings with this tour.
  • Michael P
    Michael P
    0
    0
    Advertising misrepresented
    The Ferry aspect of the experience was worthless, except as a means of transportation to the zoo. Any representation that the Ferry adds value is meaningless.
  • Chucka63
    Chucka63
    0
    0
    Spoil Yourself and Indulge
    Was a large roomy boat with plenty of room to move Food was awesome 4 adults could not finish the platter Staff were friendly, cruise stayed inside the harbour so was a comfortable cruise Would recommend
  • smrtdrmmr
    smrtdrmmr
    0
    0
    A great way to see the harbor
    My wife and I experienced the harbour cruise on a beautifully sunny afternoon in July. We spent the whole tour up on the top deck to enjoy the views and the weather. We chose the cheapest ticket option which basically granted us passage on the vessel, which takes trips between the harbor and the West side every thirty minutes or so. There is no tracking when one gets on board or where they depart, so once you are on you can stay on as long as you'd like. There were four levels on our vessel. The first level had folks enjoying some snacks and beverages while looking out through windows. There's a bar where we purchased a couple of glasses of champagne to bring up to the top deck (not the easiest task on a moving boat). The second and third levels appeared to be venue space for special events, and the top was open to everyone. There were some chairs scattered around, but mostly lots of standing space for the best views. If weather was bad (which it was the next day) then the top deck could be pretty rough, so there is definitely some luck to booking, but if you do get lucky it's a great way to capture some views that you can't see any other way.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.0
26 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
4
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
2

CantBeBothered18
Adelaide, Australia113 contributions
This was a very pleasant cruise. Paul had great commentary about the whales and a wonderful sense of humour. It was great to see that they would radio other boats from the company to locate sightings of the whales. We definitely had a great time. (Note that they don’t sell food and drink - so bring some snacks on board).
Written July 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your 5-star review. It certainly has been an absolutely fantastic start to the 2023 Whale Watching Season. We will be sure to pass your comments onto our Whale Specialist Commentator Paul. He certainly is a character and has a passion for all things Whales. We hope you will come back and see the baby calves returning from the Great Barrier Reef in Spring!
Written July 18, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Wendy C
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Solo
Started badly with the lady in the ticket box snapping ar me that the information was on the ticket. Why are Australians so rude?
But we saw lots of whales, it was a smooth ride in good weather.
1. Recommend try to get seat upstairs, I missed a lot being in the cabin.
2. Two hours was enough. It either is the season or it isn’t.
3. Check the weather forecast. We weren’t offered anything for sea sickness.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear wendycG1852LA, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We're glad to hear that you had a smooth ride in good weather and were able to see lots of whales. It's always a spectacular sight! Our team strives to provide excellent customer service, and we'll address this rudeness issue to ensure it doesn't happen again. Regarding sea sickness, we apologize for any inconvenience. While we don't offer specific remedies on board, we recommend checking the weather forecast and taking necessary precautions if you're prone to motion sickness. We appreciate your feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with an even better experience this year. Regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written June 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Vikram A
2 contributions
May 2018
very disappointing & could not watch whale & my family was very upset with captain cruise whale watch and their fake promises.
Written May 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susanne
Arlington, VA1 contribution
Sep 2019 • Solo
Excellent and awe-inspiring excursion! We did see whales. The day we went out the sea was choppy and by the end most people were seasick. But the crew was well prepared and handled it with humor. And despite thus it was a fabulous outing, highly recommend it!
Written November 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Harriet N
1 contribution
Jul 2019 • Family
Amazing, we had a life time experience in one of the best cities in the world, Sydney . First time watching whales. It was worth it. We started seeing them in five minutes as soon as we were in their territory. Calm and humble creatures to watch. It was worth it.
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keppell
Albury, Australia1 contribution
Fantastic, Amazing and magical. These three words summed it up for us. My wife’s first experience whale watching and she loved it.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Keppell, Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that your whale watching experience was amazing and magical. It's wonderful to know that it was your wife's first time and that she loved it. Witnessing these magnificent creatures up close can truly be a breathtaking and memorable experience. We're grateful for the opportunity to provide you with such a special outing, and we hope to welcome you both back onboard for more incredible adventures in the future. Regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written June 25, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tamsin S
1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Solo
I can't rate the staff of this tour provider highly enough! They are dedicated, friendly and very helpful. The office staff organised a quick pickup from Circular Quay, and were engaging and knowledgeable on board. When I became seasick, the crew kept checking on me, with one member (Paul) taking time to distract me from the nausea with travel tales. Oh, and I saw some whales!
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear tamsins09, Thank you for your kind words and positive feedback regarding our staff, particularly Paul. We're delighted to hear that they provided excellent service and went above and beyond to ensure your comfort, especially during your seasickness. You'd be pleased to know that Paul is still commentating the whale watching cruise and I'm sure he'd love to see you onboard again! (but make sure to take a sickness tablet first!) We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable experiences in the future. Regards, Captain Cook Sydney Team
Written June 21, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kathleen S
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand297 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
I don't like boats but love whales. Luckily the sea was kind and it wasn't too choppy. Saw a mother and a very active baby. They really put on a show with breaching splashing and diving. Awesome one of the best whale days I've had. Crew were friendly and Canadian comentator very interesting. We ordered the photos of the cruise as it was a day we don't want to forget. Thanks
Written October 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma Bsee
Hong Kong, China44 contributions
We went on the morning cruise to whale watch and within 10 minutes of coming out of the harbour we saw whales! 1 breached as well! It was incredible! And the team on the boat were brilliant, funny and really informative about the habitat and behaviours and what we can do to help. Absolutely brilliant day out. Couldn't recommend it more! Getting a proper look at sydney harbour bridge and the opera house was an added bonus
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sayer2019
Houston, TX25 contributions
Sep 2019
We saw several humpback whales going down the "whale super highway" near Sydney! The waters on the Sydney Harbor were pretty choppy and several people on the ferry were seasick throughout the cruise!! Vanessa, the marine biologist on board, was entertaining us throughout...trying to keep people from thinking about their seasickness by telling us many interesting facts about marine life! Definitely a must for nature lovers.One thing to remember though, Sydney Harbor is pretty choppy, as other reviewers also mentioned before. And we have been whale watching near Alaska and Iceland before but never experienced such choppy waters.
Written September 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 19

Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise provided by Captain Cook Cruises

Product Overview: Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise

Prices From

$37

Number of Reviews

26

Number of Photos

8

Duration

150 minutes