Whale Watching Cruise with Breakfast or BBQ Lunch Sydney

Circular Quay and the Eastern Pontoon

Circular Quay is the waterfront heart of Sydney, the place where the city's ferries, harbour cruises and trains meet. It sits between the historic lanes of The Rocks and the Sydney Opera House, so the walk to your boat is already a sightseeing experience, with street performers, cafes and the Harbour Bridge towering overhead.

Your whale watching cruise departs from the Eastern Pontoon, on the eastern side of the quay along the promenade towards the Opera House. Arrive about 20 to 30 minutes before departure so you have time to find the pontoon and board without rushing. Circular Quay is easy to reach by train, ferry, light rail or on foot from most city hotels, which makes this one of the simplest whale watching tours in Sydney to join.

Sydney Harbour: the Opera House and Harbour Bridge

The first part of the trip is a scenic cruise across one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. As you pull away from the quay, the white sails of the Sydney Opera House, a World Heritage site, are right beside you, and the great steel arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge frames the view behind. It is a classic photo opportunity that many visitors pay for separately.

The boat then heads east past Fort Denison, the small sandstone fort on its island, the harbourside suburbs with their bays and beaches, and the green headlands of Sydney Harbour National Park. While you cruise down the harbour towards the open sea, the crew serves your meal, so you arrive at the whale grounds well fed and ready to watch.

Sydney Heads, the gateway to the Pacific

Sydney Heads are the towering sandstone headlands that guard the entrance to the harbour: North Head on one side and South Head, with its red and white striped lighthouse, on the other. Passing between these cliffs is one of the most dramatic moments of the cruise, as the sheltered harbour suddenly opens onto the swell of the Pacific Ocean.

Beyond the Heads the water becomes deeper and bluer, and the skipper begins scanning for whale blows along the coast. The ride can be livelier out here, so if you are prone to seasickness take a tablet before you board. From the outer decks you also get impressive views back to the cliffs, which glow golden in the afternoon sun.

Humpback whales off the Sydney coast

Each year humpback whales travel along the east coast of Australia between their Antarctic feeding grounds and the warm waters of Queensland. From May to August they swim north to breed and give birth, and from mid-August to November they return south, often with newborn calves at their side. This is why Sydney whale watching season runs from May to November.

Out at sea you may see breaches, tail slaps, spy hops and fluke dives as the whales travel and play. The commentary explains each behaviour and tells you about the whales' long journey and how their numbers have recovered in recent decades. Whales are wild animals and every trip is different, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the best time for whale watching in Sydney is usually June, July and September to October.

On board: lunch, breakfast and space to watch

Passenger numbers are restricted on this cruise, which means generous elbow room in the cabin and along the outside decks. The daily lunch cruise serves a BBQ-style buffet; a sample menu includes spiced chicken, beef sausages with onion gravy, a potato dish, warm vegetable ratatouille, pesto pasta, coleslaw, chickpea salad, garden salad and fresh bread rolls, with several vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

On weekends, the morning cruise serves a hot breakfast instead, a lovely way to start the day on the harbour. Please let us know about any dietary requirements when booking. Drinks are not included but can be bought on board. Dress in warm layers and comfortable shoes, as it can feel cool on the open sea even on sunny winter days.