Whale Watching Sydney

Fantastic experience: Very good trip. The crew work hard to follow sightings of the whales and give a great running commentary

Fantastic experience: Had a wonderful time, being the end of whale season, we never seen any whales, but I really enjoyed being on the Ocean and the crew were excellent, the seas were rough and the crew helped where they could with those that were sick. I am looking forward to my next adventure with Fantasea

Fantastic experience: Had the best time on our tour. Felt really safe and informed. Also, there was a guy there taking some insane photos who I never got to thank for helping us spot the whales (he was in a blue ‘big freeze’ beenie hat) - I know he’s on the tours super regularly so if anyone could pass our thanks on that would be fab. Thanks for a great day :)

Positive experience: Herrliche Aussichten auf Stadt und Strände. Ausserhalb tatsächlich Wale gesehen ..beeindruckend. Die Fahrt per Jetboot sehr bewegt …Achterbahn fahren ist Kindergeburtstag dagegen ... Insgesamt sehr schön und lohnend .

Fantastic experience: Fantastic crew and experience - what a wonderful two hours!

Fantastic experience: The whale watching cruise was a dream come true. I'd wanted to see whales for years and was not disappointed. The boat was extremely clean and comfortable.

Positive experience: Die Crew hat alles toll erklärt. Wir haben ein paar Wale sehen können. Das Schiff schaukelt , wodurch manchen übel wird. Auf der Rückreise kann man gute Fotos von Opera und Sydney machen.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful whale watching trip, these guys are friendly and helpful and know where to find the whales - we had a fabulous outing with them and saw fantastic whales from a distant that doesn't upset them whilst allowing us to enjoy seeing them in their natural habitat - amazing

Fantastic experience: When my overseas visitors said they wanted to go whale watching in early September, I was worried that we had missed the migration of the Humpbacks. That proved to not only be unfounded but this was the most amazing whale watching trip of the five I have been on. A mother and her juvenile where making their way south and the mother was, apparently teaching the youngster how to breach. The little one (perhaps 5-8 m long?) kept diving then launching up out of the depths. Our guide said that it was building up muscle strength and that that 'slap' of re-entry sent a sound wave that could be heard over 1km away. We must have saw 2 dozen attempts by the young one. Some successful, some not so much. Then Mum showed it how! To see the two side by side, airborne and then crashing back.... well that's what everyone dreams of seeing and we saw it twice! If that weren't enough, the pair then 'mugged' us. The guide said it happens when whales get curious and come closer for a look. Regulations mean we couldn't move while they were close... what a shame! Fantasea indeed!

Positive experience: Thank you! The crew were kind and competent. Communication was good. The narration was informative. Kirin was especially personable! We saw very little of the whales, but enjoyed it! Tommy Joaquin Hancock

Fantastic experience: First time when we went to see the whales there were only one whale we got to see. Good thing is we got another voucher to come again. We recently went and it was amazing. Staff were nice and helpful. Highly recommended!!!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely beautiful! Trip was so much fun, we came along way n were on a family holiday n we added this at the last minute. Crew were friendly, whales were quite until the end of the trip but we did see a few and baby calves also. Highly recommend! If u get sea sick DONT GO, otherwise it’s a must. I’d definitely go again!! Thanks again Cheers Farlz n family

Fantastic experience: The best Whale cruise we have been on. Staff was very helpful and friendly. The boat was lovely. Watching the sunset on return into the harbour was lovely. I would really recommend the sunset tour.

Fantastic experience: The whale watching cruise was fantastic. Saw soo many whales! The Crew were lovely & looked after my son who was unwell. Would go again if we come back to Sydney!

Fantastic experience: A wonderful experience

Fantastic experience: Beautiful trip with a great speedboat. You get there very quickly and can get close to the whales. We also saw a shark next to the boat. Impressive

Fantastic experience: Great crew! Lots of whales thanks to the knowledgeable captain!

Negative experience: It was not worthed at all, the boat/ferry was rocking back and forth a lot, some people were puking because of that. Top of that the whales were in the ocean, so their tale was barely seen.

Fantastic experience: Had a great day out at sea. The Fantasea staff were really informative and we learnt a lot about whales while we were on the look out for them!

Fantastic experience: What a fantastic experience!!! The best money I’ve spent in ages!! The whales put on a spectacular show and then the cruise finished up with the most amazing sunset with Sydney city as the perfect backdrop!!! Will definitely go on this again. Staff were lovely and helpful.

Fantastic experience: Perfect experience. I will always remember it. Captain and crew were friendly and knowledgable. Saw sooo many whales.

Fantastic experience: it was a wonderful experience and the staff were friendly and had a lot of knowledge about the Whales I definely go again

Fantastic experience: Watched So many Hump back Whale. Some were ejecting waterjets from Head and lashing tail on water. All were of Giant size. Mind blowing experience.

Fantastic experience: Great experience Very knowledgeable and helpful staff

Fantastic experience: One of the best experiences. Loved the hilarious commentary. The staff are very helpful. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: A wonderful experience and crew members are amazing! A must activity in Sydney!

Fantastic experience: What a fantastic experience! The boat was respectful of The space they needed to keep between us and the whales, but we still saw so much. The staff were very informative and we were so blessed to be able to see a little calf who had just been born.

Fantastic experience: A great experience - we couldnt believe how many whales we saw and the effort the team went to to make sure we had the best viewing experience. Great knowledge also provided

Fantastic experience: This is my second trip with Fantasea whale watching. We took a smaller boat for this trip compared to the first trip. With the smaller boat, you are more likely to get wet if the sea is rough but the boat is able to travel faster and it will be easier to get to different locations to spot the whales. The captain is very knowledgeable and took great care of us. Would definitely recommend doing the tour with them

Positive experience: I saw whales for 4 to 5 times during this 2 hour tour. It would be nice if the duration is longer. It's super lucky to witness ceremony for the King Charles III on the sea, facing the Opera House and the harbour bridge!! Also, nice staff and immediate response from email. Thankyou for bringing precious memories to my Australia trip

Fantastic experience: Took the 2 hour express whale watch. Got us close and was lucky to see both an adult and baby breach. The baby did several somersaults complete out of the water!!

Fantastic experience: We had a great express whale watching tour with a caring crew and plenty of interesting information about whales, their numbers and migration routes. The journey took us out from Sydney harbour all the way down to Bondi beach, it was the first time that I as a long term resident of the eastern suburbs was able to see the coast line and the not so cheap mansions straddling it from the sea! Fantastic trip, thanks so much

Positive experience: Luckily we managed to see the whales after being on the choppy waters, even saw a few flips with the whales in their element.

Positive experience: Saw a number of whales on the 2 hour trip, well worth it. If you get sea sick easily, do take some meds beforehand! It was relatively calm seas when i went but still made me feel dizzy and a bit sick

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend fantasea cruises for whale watching. Great service. Great staff, very capable and helpful. Professional service.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous trip, knowledgeable guide and found whales quickly.

Fantastic experience: My Whale Watching experience with Fantasea in Sydney was nothing short of magical. From the moment we set sail, the crew's professionalism and passion for marine life were evident. The tour began with a comfortable and swift ride out to the open ocean, thanks to their purpose-built catamaran. The vessel itself, equipped with spacious decks and cozy seating, allowed for an immersive yet relaxed experience. What made the tour truly unforgettable was the close encounters with the majestic whales. The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly when we encountered a magnificent mother whale and her playful calf. Watching them swim gracefully through the water was a sight to behold, but nothing prepared us for the sheer joy of witnessing them leap out of the water. The mother and calf put on an incredible display, breaching and splashing, and our collective gasps of excitement echoed across the boat. It was a moment that filled our hearts with awe and appreciation for the beauty of nature. As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange, pink, and gold, the experience became even more magical. The soft glow of the sunset reflected off the water, creating a breathtaking backdrop for our whale watching adventure. The combination of the stunning views and the incredible wildlife made this journey truly unforgettable. The bonus? If you don’t spot whales, Fantasea offers a free return cruise, making it a no-risk adventure for nature lovers. I highly recommend Fantasea Whale Watching for both locals and tourists—it’s a must-do in Sydney for an awe-inspiring connection with the natural world.

Fantastic experience: Amazing tour experience and was so amazed that I could see the whales so clearly including two times when a child whale totally flipped out of the water (didn't get to get a photo!) along with Dolphins up close as a bonus too. Must have been very lucky as I am assuming it depends on the day, weather conditions, etc. Definitely Recommended!!

Fantastic experience: Well organised and very good captain and crew who got us to whales within 30 min. Vessel was clean, comfortable and offered good vantage points to see whales and dolphins.

Fantastic experience: We saw whales! Great experience. Lovely crew. Informative commentary. Comfortable ride:)

Fantastic experience: Great experience staff knowledgeable and friendly

Fantastic experience: Trip was amazing, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Managed to see a few pods of whales and even a couple of breaching whales. We will definitely be going again

Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic trip with Fantasea on their 2 hour express whale watching trip. The crew were amazing and we were so lucky to see so many whales. This is the second time I’ve been out with Fantasea and I loved every second! Thank you!!

Fantastic experience: This was a fantastic cruise! We had a bumpy ride (the crew warned us), but they came thru providing amazing views of many whales. I have great videos from the tour. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Had a great time and saw two whales slapping their tails for about 10 minutes! What a great experience!!!

Fantastic experience: Amazing！

Fantastic experience: viewing was fantastic! roaming around to let us watch the whales. Great work

Fantastic experience: We did it very last minute in the same week. The checking in system could be more efficient and improved with QR codes. Though time is spot on. Very professional team and always put safety first. The ferry is clean and well maintained. Our little one did really enjoy the experience. 3 hours of exciting ride. Thank You and we look forward for coming back again.

Fantastic experience: Humpback highway lived up to its name. Saw lots of whales, some tail flappping and some breaching. A very enjoyable trip

Fantastic experience: We have been wanting to go whale watching for a while and this cruise was totally worth it! As a family of four we had the best day. We saw more whales than we thought we would and Willow and Nick were both knowledgeable and accommodating. The boat was great. We loved hearing all the information about the whales and of Sydney Harbour as well. We would definitely recommend this company! Thanks guys for an amazing day! I’m sure we will see you again!

Negative experience: Unfortunately, my recent experience with customer service was very disappointing. The representative was rude and unprofessional, and they hung up the phone on me before I could find the location I needed. I hope the company can improve their customer service training to ensure a better experience for future customers.

Negative experience: Terrible. They didn't warn anyone that the ocean wasn't calm enough. Result: every single person was having hard sea sickness and nobody enjoyed. And, by the way, we saw just a few blows. Waste of time and money.

Fantastic experience: Did we see a lot of whales? Yes Did we see some dolphins? Yes Did we get to see whales breaching? Yes Did I also get really sea sick? Also yes if there’s a swell on the day you’re going not for the feint of heart. Probably 10% of the folks we had on board got sick- thankfully they hand out sick bags which are easy use. I just mention this as I’ve gone whale watching, fishing, and sailing in other countries and nothing was as rough as Sydney Harbour. Now this has nothing to do with this tour operator as it is 100% the conditions in Sydney. I’m thankful we went on a larger and more stable boat, some of the smaller boats looked like they were having a rougher time. Overall some of the best whale watching I’ve done with multiple sightings. Just maybe asses if you may get queezy with a lot of rocking!!

Negative experience: They advertise that they do whale watching at Terrigal but they don’t. False advertising

Fantastic experience: had an amazing time with whale watching sydney on 18/07! took us out safely and gave us lots of time to watch the whales that were swimming together as a pod. they also made the effort to ensure the boat was in prime viewing spots so i'm really appreciative of that. really do recommend them!!!

Fantastic experience: Bracing cold wind for these videos, well worth every penny.

Negative experience: The most inefficient process to book, you need to queue in at least 20min in line even if you have online ticket (that included bar code). I suggest you get rid of the online booking to not fool people that they save time.

Fantastic experience: 很遗憾，等了一个多小时转了一圈没有亲眼看到鸭嘴兽

Fantastic experience: Sehr freundliches Personal, wir sind pünktlich um 9 Uhr abgefahren. Als dann die ersten Wale gesichtet wurden, wurde der Motor ausgeschalten und ausreichend Abstand zu den Tieren gehalten. Es wurde auf die Wale geachtet , wie diese sich verhalten und nicht darauf gedrängt den Leuten an Board so viel Wal und Nähe wie möglich zu geben. Danke dafür und für dieses tolle Erlebnis!

Fantastic experience: Lovely

Positive experience: Wonderful experience saw a bunch of whales I recommend this cruise! But make sure it is during the peak whale season only critique is you need to bring food with you because it is a long trip they don’t serve food and drinks unless you pay. Chips were 3.50$

Fantastic experience: No big impact, long aftertaste. Could have realized the beautiful creature exists.

Fantastic experience: 是一个不错的体验，如果运气好就能拍到跳起来，如果运气不好可能只能看到喷水。

Fantastic experience: Very enjoyable.

Negative experience: Whale Watching Guarantee is a lie. They define it as 2 considerable sightings for customers. But later if you didn’t have that good experience they would just say it is captain’s call to allow rejoining and he didn’t include rejoining for this trip.

Positive experience: io personalmente mi sono divertita molto e sono rimasta soddisfatta! ma c’è da ammettere che se soffri anche un minimo la barca secondo me questa esperienza diventa un incubo diverse persone hanno passato tutto il tempo a vomitare

Positive experience: Of course watching whales can't be guaranteed, but our not so good experience is more connected to overexcited guests running everywhere than the excursion itself.

Fantastic experience: Good experience spotted few whales in 2 hours in the morning session 9am-11am

Fantastic experience: Awesome day out

Fantastic experience: Captain cook whale watching is awesome experience.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous experience. Boat was spacious, fairly smooth 20 minute ride out to the Tasman Sea and within minutes, we were on track for a breaching whale and followed a family for about 1 hour. Dolphins joined at one point too and great commentary on the boat. Being the humpback highway, highly recommended for viewing!

Fantastic experience: I had the most excellent time being a part of this intimate tour with enough space to move around, bask in direct sunlight on the bow of the boat, cop a light sea spray holding onto the side rails or just chill in a comfy seat under shelter. Our captain Rob was very professional but also down to earth, even bringing his daughter along so that she could capture some pro shots of the 3 whale pod which we became acquainted with about an hour into our mission. Rob knows the ocean well and he knows how to navigate in a way that seemlessly adapts to our surroundings, from gunning it out of the gates and into the deep blue to cruising at snails pace a mere 300metres away from our epic whale pals. Special mention to Metta the whale expert/guide who taught us HEAPS of cool stuff about whales and how we can help to prevent them from starvation by leading more conscious lives. In summary 》Whale Tales Rock! They are a short walk from the trains, easy to find, well organised, on time, super friendly, wise, skilled, safety first, whale whisperers. I would definitely go again!

Negative experience: Took the tour few days back. Kindly dont go getting impressed by advertisement photos and vidoes. I took 2 hour whale watching and could only see hardly 2 whale glimpse from far distances (Whale wont jump out of water or stay out of water for few seconds) Its not worth the money as you could not even see this glimpse from closeby. It might be we had unlucky day but I would just like to make everyone understand what to expect in it

Fantastic experience: Amazing, we were lucky to see these whales being playful and doing backflips

Fantastic experience: Yesterday's whale watching experience at the beautiful sunset hour was truly mesmerizing. The crew of the boat was professional and friendly, making sure everyone was comfortable and informed about the trip. We were lucky enough to see a group of humpback whales breaching and playing in the water, giving us a show of a lifetime. The guide was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts about the whales and their habitat. The boat had a comfortable seating arrangement and offered excellent vantage points to view the whales up close. The sunset added an extra magical touch to the whole experience, making it truly unforgettable. Overall, it was a fantastic whale watching trip, highly recommended for nature lovers.

Fantastic experience: Awesome experience, will definitely do it again!

Fantastic experience: Great trip from Darling Harbour, all around Sydney Harbour with interesting commentary and facts. Ninety minute trip and excellent value for money.

Fantastic experience: Lovely day out on the Fantasea cruise boat. The ladies at the counter on Darling harbour were very helpful. We took the boat to go to the Taronga Zoo, and was very enjoyable and fun, we passed the Harbour Bridge and the Opera house and the views were spectacular. Boat was large had plenty of space on both upper and lower decks. Good facilities and the commentary was helpful regarding all the surroundings.

Fantastic experience: Originally booked a "Shore" excursion as lead-in to our cruise itinerary ex Sydney. No connection to local (Fantasea acting as "sub-contractor") system, but Fantasea staff very helpful in fixing our trip to Taronga Zoo via cross-harbour trip. Definitely the experts in the short or longer haul trips on the water.

Positive experience: It was good experience, I would say 3 hours cruise was bit too much but the 2 hours would be nice.

Positive experience: We didn’t see any whales to start with. But there was also no seating outdoors which was a bit annoying

Fantastic experience: Friendly and knowledgeable staff, convenient from Darling Harbor, noted that the boat will stop at Circular Quay to pick up more passengers. In the timetable, the departure time are 30 min apart for both piers and it is actually the same trip. We saw a lot of whales, 5-6 rounds altogether, once she was breaching entirely emerged to the air for several times. However, I got really bad motion sickness and still feel it a week after, even I did not have vomiting like some other poor passengers that had to hold on their sick bags. Despite the sea sickness, I think it is worth to go.

Negative experience: I was mislead by someone to go to Wharf 6 so I went there and waited in the queue. For the couple in front of me, the receptionist was happy and welcoming. For me, he tried to ignore me at first, then no greetings whatsoever. I showed him my ticket and his tone when he said it's not theirs wasn't really kind. He told me where to go but his overall behaviour wasn't good so for future trips I will not choose this company.

Fantastic experience: Worth the money. For those who have a burning passion for wildlife photography. This will be worth it. For those animal lovers, go for it. For those who have some level of seasickness. PLEASE pay attention to the crew and smile at the sight of breaching humpbacks :), you’ll have a good chance of avoiding it and having the time of your life just as I did :)

Fantastic experience: Such a lovely experience to see these magnificent creatures at a safe distance. The tour guide was lovely and knowledgeable as well, the time was sufficient enough to see these great creatures. Five stars and a recommended activity if you wish to witness such beautiful and magnificent mammals.

Fantastic experience: This was the highlight of our excursions at Sydney. We were blessed with luck as we spent all three hours in presence of whales, with all behaviours witnessed at close quarters. Even dolphins kept us company when boat was moving fast. Will highly recommend Fantasea as the operator.

Positive experience: Food was rushed, wasnt hot enough. Didnt seemed that marine team knew where to find whales. It was us public who found the whales. It was totally relied on us. Whales were too far. Didnt get a fair closer look.

Fantastic experience: Gentili ed efficienti. In perfetto orario. Attenzione e possibilità di mare grosso quindi attenzione x chi ha ilal di mare. Viste un sacco di balene

Fantastic experience: Best place to go whale watching in Sydney! Great staff and location to do this

Fantastic experience: Great trip even if you don't see whales (we did).

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic experience!

Fantastic experience: Amazing whale watching experience but not limited. The vibe, the friendly staff and the nature makes it to perfection (we saw some dolphins too). There are a lot of Chinese tourists on the boat, literally 2/3 of them. Those who complaining about getting sick might didn’t take recommended medicine before-hand for seasickness. Worth the money? I would happy to pay two times higher for such an experience.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful 3 hrs time in the sea watching the whale.. Good team and fantasy ferry by name the commentary was done by makenzie she was wonderful.. In explaining guiding and helping us tourist.. Refreshments were available ,before boarding one the guide briefed us about all the cautions and what to be careful of on the sea and it was all together an awesome experience..Lovely whale watching.. Would go back again!!

Negative experience: Boarded on 17 July 2022. Very bad experience. The small boat is not at all fit for the purpose. Australian authority should not allow such boats to operate at high seas. No safety and provision to withstand the high swell. We couldn’t watch anything, had to come back abruptly (paying 110 AUD each). Ladies and children were omitting and crying for return. Such small boats should not be used for this purpose.

Fantastic experience: Great

Fantastic experience: Had a great time, even though it was winter!

Fantastic experience: Was a great day out

Fantastic experience: Danke für die tolle Tour heute Vormittag! Die Tiere wurden NICHT angefüttert, es wurde Abstand gehalten, der Motor ausgeschaltet ... somit haben sich sogar Delfine in die Nähe getraut! Man sollte niemals die Erwartungen haben, die Tiere in Massen zu sehen oder anfassen zu dürfen. Es kommt ganz auf den Tag drauf an. Ich empfehle, oben auf dem Deck auf der linken Seite Platz zu nehmen und die Kamera griffbereit bereit zu halten. Die Wale und Delfine springen so schnell! Der Moderator hat uns fachkundige Informationen gegeben und wir waren exakt 2 Stunden unterwegs.

Negative experience: no the place smelled like vomit, 90% of the people were sick i was so sick that i slept of an hour because of how sick i was was $200 worth it NO!

Fantastic experience: Best boat by ocean. Been several times and was great enjoyment. Did a small blow up boat trip and hated the bouncy of it and driven by little mad cowman. This nice boat is super not bouncy and very happy to sit. Booked two trips soon and look fwd to having nice smooth fun