Whale Watching Safari

Sydney’s most exciting and most personal whale watching experiences.

Whale Sightings Guaranteed.

If whales are not sighted on your tour, come out again for free!*

Whale watching season runs from mid May until early November.

This year it is expected that up to 45 000 humpbacks are going to make their annual migration past Sydney as they travel from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef and back. Come on a tour with us to observe these majestic creatures on their journey. You might even see a breach or two!

Ocean Extreme offers the most exciting and most personal whale watching experiences in Sydney.

With multiple boats and multiple departure locations, Ocean Extreme has the tour option that is perfect for you.

Operating the fastest commercial vessels in Sydney, Ocean Extreme is able to get you to the whales quicker than ever before. The open design of our vessels, along with their low position in the water, offers an unparalleled, unobstructed and up close viewing experience. Ocean Extreme promotes responsible & respectful whale watching.

We are so confident of finding whales on every tour that we GUARANTEE it. If whales are not spotted on your adventure then come out again for FREE.*

Book now


*If whales are not spotted on a tour, each passenger will be issued with a reride credit for another tour during the same season. The credit is non-transferable, therefore it must be used by the original participant. If the tour takes place in November then the credit is valid the following season.

Recent Sightings

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4 months ago
Ocean Extreme

Ended the season on a high 🙌

Last trip of the season today and we picked up a mother and calf just outside the heads. Calf gave us a couple of breaches. Great trip.
Epic season! Thanks to everyone who came out. 🙏🚀🐳
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Ended the season on a high 🙌 

Last trip of the season today and we picked up a mother and calf just outside the heads. Calf gave us a couple of breaches. Great trip. 
Epic season! Thanks to everyone who came out. 🙏🚀🐳Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
5 months ago
Ocean Extreme

Some pics from a mother and calf cruising off Dee Why today. 🐳 ... See MoreSee Less

Some pics from a mother and calf cruising off Dee Why today. 🐳Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
5 months ago
Ocean Extreme

Found whales on both trips today. 8am was tipped off about some whales in close to Long Reef headland and there ended up being three pods in there enjoying the shelter from the southerly. 11am found a mum and calf offshore of Long Reef, head lunging into the huge swell. And a big sun fish ☀️ 🐟 ... See MoreSee Less

Found whales on both trips today. 8am was tipped off about some whales in close to Long Reef headland and there ended up being three pods in there enjoying the shelter from the southerly. 11am found a mum and calf offshore of Long Reef, head lunging into the huge swell. And a big sun fish ☀️ 🐟Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
5 months ago
Ocean Extreme

Pics from our 8am trip today. 🚀🚀

No luck on the 11am today. All passengers receive a credit valid next season.

This season finishing Monday 6th. 📅
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Pics from our 8am trip today. 🚀🚀 

No luck on the 11am today. All passengers receive a credit valid next season. 

This season finishing Monday 6th. 📅Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
5 months ago
Ocean Extreme

Mum showing her calf how it’s done 🚀

2:49pm this afternoon off Curl Curl Beach.
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Mum showing her calf how it’s done 🚀

2:49pm this afternoon off Curl Curl Beach.Image attachment
5 months ago
Ocean Extreme

25 mins from the CBD of Sydney. Hard to believe. Love this city.

📷 3pm this afternoon.
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25 mins from the CBD of Sydney. Hard to believe. Love this city. 

📷 3pm this afternoon.
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What is the best time of day to see whales?

This is the question we get asked the most often. The answer is there is no time that is better than any other. The whales are migrating up and down the coast 24 hours a day. There is an equal chance of finding some whales at all times throughout the day.

Where to go whale watching?

Some good land based whale watching locations include: North head, Long Reef, Vaucluse, Cape Solander. At different times of the year the whales track different distances off the coast. To see the whales up close you will need to go out on a boat. We head anywhere from 1km to 20km offshore depending on the migratory route of the whales at that point of the season.

How long does whale watching take?

Ocean Extreme uses the fastest vessels in town, so we can get you to and from the whales quicker than any other boat. Thus, our tours don’t last as long. A tour can take about 2 hours if we board at Circular Quay and about 1.5 hours if we depart from Manly Wharf.

When is the whale, dolphin, seal watching season?

From mid-May to late November, locals and tourists alike can watch the whales migrating along the Sydney coastline. Dolphins are quite common around the coast of Sydney and you can spot them any time of the year. The same goes for seals. Our seals are here nearly all year round.

What to wear for whale watching?

Unless it’s a windy day, you don’t have to worry about getting wet. We also supply spray jackets to keep you nice and dry. In the winter months, it can get very cold out at sea. Thus, you need to wear several layers under our jacket to stay warm throughout the trip. Wear a beanie and gloves on colder days.

What to bring whale watching?

Whether you’re watching the whales from the shore or at sea, you must wear sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your eyes and skin from the harsh glare of the sun. And of course—don’t forget the camera! But if you want, Ocean Extreme can also take your photos for you.

Is whale watching bad for whales?

Whale watching can be bad for whales if the skipper of the boat isn’t responsible or doesn’t know the correct rules for driving around whales. We have been operating tours for over 14 years and always show upmost care. We are required to keep our distance from the whales (100m) and it is up to the whales if the decide to approach our boat. Humpback whales are naturally very curious and they do often approach us however we cannot force this interaction.

What kind of whales can be seen around Sydney?

It is predominantly humpback whales that we see off Sydney and generally in New South Wales. Very occasionally we will spot minke whales, southern right whales, pilot whales, killer whales and one blue whale was spotted in 2015.

How much does whale watching cost?

For a memorable whale watching experience on the Ocean Extreme vessel, it will cost $119 per person. Check out our bookings and vouchers page page for tours leaving Circular Quay and Manly Wharf. Contact us if you have any questions.

Check our whale watching and celebrities photo galleries.