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Whale watching Sydney with lunch

4.5(5,576)

Multiple route options

Frequent departures

Scenic views

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Whale breaching near cliffs off Sydney coast.

Couple pointing at whales during a Sydney whale watching cruise.

Whale breaching in Sydney Harbour with city skyline and bridge in background.

Whale tail breaching near Sydney skyline during a whale watching cruise.

Two whales swimming in the ocean during a Sydney whale watching cruise.

Guests enjoying a buffet on a Sydney Whale Watching Cruise.

Man grilling sausages on a boat with Sydney Opera House in the background during a whale watching cruise.

Buffet spread on Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with salads and hot dishes.

4.7(23)

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Onboard Buffet

from

AU$104

Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change

4 hr

Meals included

4.7/5

(23)

Kristy

Jul 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Staff helpfull, very informative. Lunch was great and so much more than we expected. Vessell was clean. We saw dolphins, whales and a seal seas were a little rough but captain and crew did an aweome job

Trixia

Jun 2025

Verified booking

5/5

We had so much fun seeing the whales up close. It was a memorable experience because we saw a mum and its calf. The whales are everywhere. The crew were also amazing, plus the buffet was great.

Itinerary

TOTAL DURATION3 hours 55 minutes - 4 hours 5 minutes

FREQUENCYday, May–Nov; lunch daily, breakfast on weekends

MODE OF TRANSFERCatamaran

1 Boarding point

Circular Quay

Get Directions

Sights covered

Buffet breakfast/lunch

Humpback Whale

Bottlenose Dolphin

Australian Fur Seal

Albatross

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Relaxed 4-hour whale watching cruise with buffet meal and expert commentary.

Starting point: Departs from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay.
Everything you get: 4-hour cruise aboard the "Jerry Bailey," live commentary by a qualified crew, buffet breakfast (weekends only) or lunch (vegetarian and dietary options with notice), tea, coffee, water, and multiple viewing decks.
Why choose this: Spacious, comfortable vessel limited to 95 guests, delicious onboard meals, and consistently praised crew and sightings.
Sights: Sydney Harbour, Sydney Heads, plus migrating humpbacks and occasional dolphin pods or seabirds in the open ocean.

Relaxed 4-hour whale watching cruise with buffet meal and expert commentary.

Starting point: Departs from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay.
Everything you get: 4-hour cruise aboard the "Jerry Bailey," live commentary by a qualified crew, buffet breakfast (weekends only) or lunch (vegetarian and dietary options with notice), tea, coffee, water, and multiple viewing decks.
Why choose this: Spacious, comfortable vessel limited to 95 guests, delicious onboard meals, and consistently praised crew and sightings.
Sights: Sydney Harbour, Sydney Heads, plus migrating humpbacks and occasional dolphin pods or seabirds in the open ocean.

Inclusions

4-hour whale-watching cruise
Fully qualified crew onboard
Live commentary
Buffet lunch or breakfast (based on departure time)
Tea, coffee & water
Whale sighting guarantee: free rebooking within 3 years if no whales spotted

Exclusions

Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase onboard)

Tip: While capturing the classic bridge and opera house shot, seek unique angles like hidden coves, working harbors, or sailboats gliding by.
Choose comfort and safety: This experience is not the best fit for children under the age of 5 years.
The morning cruise with buffet breakfast is only available on weekends.
The lunch and breakfast menu can be tailored to suit vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free guests with sufficient notice.
In the unlikely event a whale is not sighted during the cruise, guests can cruise again for free, within 3 years.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

How do we collect reviews?

4.7

23 ratings

What our guests say

Trixia

Jun 2025Verified booking

5/5

We had so much fun seeing the whales up close. It was a memorable experience because we saw a mum and its calf. The whales are everywhere. The crew were also amazing, plus the buffet was great.

Kristy

Jul 2025Verified booking

5/5

Leslie

Aug 2025Verified booking

2/5

We didn't get the best experience we were expecting , because first , the weather wasn't nice , cloudy , windy and cool, the water was so rough that makes our boat rock so hard and makes people dizzy and throw up , most of the passengers got sick , people spewing in downstairs and second floor, one guy next to me was thrown out from his seat on the floor and tumbling twice . We didn't see any whales. But, the food was nice , crew are nice and helpful , assisting people throwing up. It's just the weather that no one can control . They offered us to re booking our tickets for free and valid up to 3 years , which is good and we appreciated that . Maybe next time we comeback to Australia will be able to see whales and have a calm and warm day., if it wasn't the bad weather , we would have a good day !

Teresa

Oct 2024Verified booking

5/5

There were 3 of us, first time whale watching and we were amazed we saw a pod of dolphins then some humpback whales breaching and got to see a Mum and baby. The commentary was fantastic, the buffet lunch was lovely. The staff were awesome, can't wait to go again. It was 10 out of 10.

Belinda

Sep 2024Verified booking

5/5

Seeing the whales up close and hearing facts abut them.

Sreymom

Sep 2024Verified booking

4/5

Bridget

Sep 2024Verified booking

4/5

Nitesh

Aug 2024Verified booking

5/5

Great crew, great food, and awesome tour.

Natasha

Aug 2023Verified booking

4/5

Seeing the whale's and being able to watch them in their natural environment 😁

kar

Sep 2023Verified booking

5/5

Ticket purchase was easy. The activity was good. Very organised and food was plenty. Saw plenty of whales and dolphins too!

Headout Guest

Aug 2024Verified booking

5/5

Yew

Aug 2024Verified booking

5/5

CRISTIAN

Aug 2024Verified booking

4/5

Siyao

Aug 2024Verified booking

4/5

Headout Guest

Aug 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

Jul 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

Jul 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

Jun 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

Jun 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

Jun 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

May 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

May 2024Verified booking

5/5

Headout Guest

May 2024Verified booking

5/5

Cheah

Jul 2024Verified booking

2/5

Did not see any whale. Only 3 seals. Very choppy sea condition and many people seasick. If weather not good snd slim chance to see whale then headout should have cancel the trip instead. Cruise staff said will give free voucher for rebooking but I have not received any yet. And if rebooking can only be done the following week I believe most customers must have already left Sydney to take advantage of it.

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Each year from May to November, thousands of humpback whales swim right past Sydney’s coastline. Whale watching here isn’t just easy, it’s one of the most accessible marine encounters in the world. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot a breach, a tail slap, maybe even a pod gliding by. You can hop aboard a speedboat, catamaran, rocket ferry, or cruiser, each offering a different vibe. Want to add a little indulgence? Some tours also serve up a full buffet lunch onboard. Sounds interesting to you? Let’s explore what this cruise experience includes.

Cruise specifics at a glance

Departure & duration
- Departs around 12:15 pm from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay
- Duration ~4 hr 15 min, returning by 4:15 pm
Price & tickets
- Adults: AU$104
- Children: AU$60
- Senior: AU$75
-Infants: AU$35
Food & drinks
- Dietary options: vegan, vegetarian & gluten-free
- Drinks: tea, coffee, water included; bar purchases extra
Sighting guarantee
- Free return cruise if no whales are spotted, valid for up to 3 years

Departure points

What to bring & how to prepare

Dress for the elements: Layer up! A windproof jacket, scarf, and gloves are lifesavers when the breeze picks up offshore.
Bring essentials: Water, sunscreen, a hat, and binoculars/camera will keep you focused and comfy while scanning for whales.
Prep for motion: Eat lightly before boarding, take motion-sickness tablets if needed, and focus your gaze on the horizon during any choppy stretches.
Arrive early: Plan to get to Eastern Pontoon about 15–30 minutes before departure. This gives you time to check in, find a good deck spot, and settle in.
Know the layout: Lower decks are wheelchair-accessible and sheltered, while upper decks offer panoramic viewing. Choose based on your mobility and wind tolerance.

Safety guidelines & responsible watching

Respect legal distance: Boats cruise slowly and maintain the required 100 m (or 300 m if calves are present) from whales, minimizing wake and disturbance.
Follow instructions: Crew and naturalists guide everyone’s movement on deck, and lifejackets and safety briefings are mandatory.
Be weather-ready: Rough seas may cancel or reschedule your trip. Operators typically offer refunds or free rebookings in such cases.
Leave no trace: Take all rubbish with you, avoid loud noises, and never throw anything overboard that could endanger marine life.
Drones stay high: If you're tempted to use drone, remember NSW law requires flights at least 100 m from whales and ideally above 30 m to avoid disrupting their behavior.

FAQs about whale watching in Sydney with lunch cruise

What’s included in the lunch cruise?

You’ll enjoy a ~4-hour cruise out of Circular Quay, a buffet-style BBQ lunch, hot drinks and water, live commentary from marine naturalists, and access to multiple sailing decks.

Is whale sighting guaranteed?

Yes, if no whales are spotted, you’re eligible for a free return cruise, often valid with the same operator for up to three years.

Can I choose a breakfast option instead?

Definitely. Weekend morning cruises depart around 8:15 am and feature a hot buffet breakfast, live commentary, and the same whale-sighting guarantee.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring warm layers and windproof gear, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars/camera, and motion-sickness meds if needed. It gets cool when cruising past Sydney Heads.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Lower deck seating and amenities are wheelchair-accessible. Access to upper viewing decks varies by boat, so check with the operator in advance.

Are drinks included, and can I bring my own?

Tea, coffee, and water are provided free. A licensed bar is on board for purchased beverages. Outside drinks are generally not permitted for safety reasons.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

It’s actually great for kids over five, with indoor cabins and kid-friendly commentary. Young children may find the motion challenging on windy days.

What happens if my boarding point changes?

Operators occasionally adjust departure locations due to tides, weather, or harbour events. You’ll be notified ahead of time, and boarding usually shifts to a nearby wharf with clear instructions.

From happy customers

Belbinder

United Kingdom

Juni, 2025

Experience was nice, waters was a little choppy and never managed to spot a whale. Have been given a free voucher valid for 3 years to rebook for free.

Sydney Whale Watching Speedboat Cruise

James

United Kingdom

Okt., 2024

Was an amazing experience. We saw ten whales really up close! Our guide was experienced, friendly and always got us the best views of the whales. A must do experience whilst in Sydney.

Sydney Whale Watching Speedboat Cruise

Davide

Italy

Juni, 2025

The overall experience was very interesting and fascinating, the expert guide was really informative about the whales. I had a problem with seasickness and the crew helped me promptly.

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Onboard Buffet

Glenn

Ireland

Okt., 2024

We managed to see 2 - 3 pods of humpback whales, for someone who lives miles away from the sea that was amazing. 1 thing you need to fix remove 7 Macquarie street from your meeting info.

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise

David

Australia

Sept., 2024

Seeing the whales. We were fortunate enough to have some quite close. For those who do not have sea legs, be aware many got sea sick . This is not a fault, but something to be considered.

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise