Top tips for whale watching season in Sydney as experts share concerns

• Whale watching season in Sydney officially starts on May 1 but there were a smattering of sightings weeks ago.
• Around 40,000 humpback whales travel from sub-Antarctic waters to the Great Barrier Reef every year.
• Migration normally peaks in Sydney in July but whales have already been seen further north.

Sydney welcomes most of its visitors during the summer months but 8.7 million visitors travelled to the Harbour City for winter last year. Between Vivid, Sydney Comedy Festival and unforgettable whale watching experiences, there’s much more to Sydney beyond the its beautiful beaches and sun-soaked summers. Destination NSW is, in fact, leaning into the ‘coolcation’ movement, positioning the city as a must-visit winter destination.

READ MORE: Take a kayak tour of Vivid Sydney at the Maritime Museum this year.

The whale watching season is one of the season’s highlights, peaking in Sydney in July. But despite the season only officially starting yesterday, there have already been a number of sightings further north, which has experts worried.

What you need to know about Sydney’s whale watching season

Throughout summer, humpback whales feed on krill in Antarctica, before undertaking some of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom. Swimming more than 3,500km north to Queensland, the go in search of warmer waters to give birth. They swim north from May through to July and begin their southward return journey from August, with sightings lasting to around October time.

In Sydney and along the NSW coastline, the season peaks around the end of June and throughout July. In October and November, whales are often seen closer to shore, taking their time as they return south with their newborns in tow.

It’s not just humpback whales that you’re in with a chance of seeing— it’s common to also see southern right, orcas, minke, blue whales and dolphins across NSW.

Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, south of Sydney, is one of the best lookouts, but other top vantage points include the Grotto Point Aboriginal engraving site in the Northern Beaches and the cliff-top walking trails from Bondi to Coogee, Dover Heights to Watsons Bay and the South head Heritage Trail from Camp Cove to Hornby Lighthouse.

READ MORE: 6 best walks and scenic trails to explore in Sydney.

The Fairfax Walk in Manly is also a fantastic spot, known for frequent sightings of migrating whales. People in Manly were surprised by an early visitors last weekend, as a young humpback, almost five-metres-long, swam between moored yachts near Little Manly around 7.30am on Saturday, April 26. It’s not the first sighting in NSW this year either, prompting concerns from experts.

“It’s definitely an earlier season for whales heading north”

Whales aren’t normally seen around Little Manly Beach, but it is perfectly normal for humpbacks and southern right whales to swim into harbours to for a look around and a quick break while on their long journey north.

The calf’s break wasn’t so restful though, as it “unfortunately became distressed” and gave “a warning to those getting too close,” ORRCA said online. Thankfully the whale turned around and exited the harbour around 9am, but it’s an important reminder for bystanders to keep clear of the migrating mammals.

Experts are even more concerned, however, about how early sightings have started this year. Whales were recently spotted further north at Port Macquarie.

Britt Anderson, a project officer with the marine wildlife team at the National Parks and Wildlife Service said “While the bulk of the population is yet to come through, it’s definitely an earlier season for whales heading north.”

Record lows in sea ice have reduced the amount of krill available for whales to feed on. Thankfully, the humpback population on the east coast has bloomed from less that 100 whales in the 1960s to more than 40,000 now. It’s one of the greatest conservation successes of the past 50 years. But food stress is one of the many threats that whale populations still face, with newborns and yearlings being abandoned by mothers earlier than expected, as they struggle to find enough food.

Tips for whale watching season

The whale population needs all the help it can get as it battles against endless threats. When watching their migration past Sydney this season, make sure to keep the following in mind.

On water

Distance: Stay at least 100m away from whales if you’re on a boat, kayak, or any other water vessel (paddleboards included), and 300m if a calf is present. 

Speed: Travel at a slow and constant speed, minimising wash within 300m of whales. 

Awareness: Pay attention to whale behavior, as some actions like fin slapping can be signs of danger. They’re clever creatures who will warn you if you’re getting to close—make sure you listen.

Breaching: Be extra vigilant on windy days as it can lead to more breaching. 

On land

You may feel safer on solid ground but it’s important to still be aware of your surroundings, especially on coastal walks, as many vantage points have exposed cliff edges. Maintain a safe distance of at least five meters from edges and rock platforms.

Otherwise, we would recommend taking warm clothing, sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat on sunny days, and a pair of binoculars so that you don’t miss a single sighting.

We love summer in Sydney as much as the next guy, but the magic of winter is really quite spectacular. Whale watching season is just the beginning.