Whales of Sydney Lunch Safari
Combine Sydney’s ultimate wildlife experience with a scenic harbour cruise and a light onboard lunch. This will be an unforgettable and adventurous afternoon in Sydney!
Highlights
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Trip Details
TRIP DETAILS
Price
From $3080 per boat (includes lunch for 2)
Additional persons $150pp
Lunch details
A light picnic-style lunch is provided
Tour times
12:30pm-4:00pm (approx)
Availability
7 days a week, whale season is June to October. Surcharges may apply on public holidays and some exceptions apply
Departure & Return
Circular Quay
Maximum Group Size
8 passengers
We Provide
- Knowledgeable, local skipper & guide
- Soft drinks
- Light lunch
- Bottled water
- All safety equipment
Please Bring
Warm top/jacket: It is essential to bring a protective jacket and dress warmly because temperatures off the coast of Sydney during Winter and Spring can be cold, and the boat is open-style for the best viewing, but subject to wind and occasional sea spray.
Footwear: soft-soled, non-marking shoes permitted. No heels.
Your Boat
Our tough, ocean-going Axopar 37′ sports cruiser is sleek and fast, and will get you to the action quicker. The vessel won 2017 European Sports Boat of the Year and is perfectly suited to off-shore waters. The boat seats 8 guests (plus skipper) and is equipped with rain protection, downstairs toilet facilities, and plenty of space for moving about the boat to spot whales and marine life. Find out more about your boat here.
Good to Know
Weather: To ensure guests safety and comfort, we will only run safaris when we deem the conditions to be acceptable, based on winds and swell. We will advise within 48 hours if the conditions are not suitable, so that we can arrange an alternative date.
What You'll Do
Your adventure begins as we make our way speedily towards the entrance to the harbour and then out past Sydney’s famous beaches and rugged cliffs to the whale watching area in deep blue Pacific Ocean waters, just a few kilometres off the Sydney coast.
We’ll get you to the whale grounds after your light lunch, where our experienced captain will instruct you on how to spot the whales, just like the early whaling boats did for hundreds of years. Be the first on board to shout “thar she blows” and feel the excitement when you spot your first whale or pod. Your captain will then manoeuvre the vessel into the best whale watching position, providing expert commentary, so you feel as close to these magnificent creatures as possible.
You may also get the chance to spot bottle-nosed dolphins or local fur seals off South Head, but the real stars of the show are always the magnificent whales.
The Migrations
Between May and August is the ‘Northern Migration’, when the whales are heading north from Antarctica to their breeding and calving grounds in the warmer waters around the equator. During the ‘Northern Migration’ you can see grand surface breaches, lob tailing, and chin slaps as the males show off their dominance to attract females.
By early September the whales are heading back to Antarctica on their ‘Southern Migration’ when you’re more likely to see mothers with newly born calves swimming close to the shore. While baby whales are born with a natural ability to swim, other behaviours are learnt, so you can expect to see baby whales imitating their mothers.
