The city of Sydney is home to one of the most expansive natural harbours in the world, offering beautiful beaches, breath-taking scenery and an abundance of marine life. Whales are annual visitors to the shores of Sydney, spotted between late May to early November during their breeding migration from Antarctica.
How many people spot whales in the wild?
Despite their yearly holiday to the city’s waterfront, only 1% of the world’s population sees a live whale in their natural habitat, making boat cruises a popular bucket list for many visitors and locals in NSW. The number of whales visiting our waters peaks between mid-June and mid-July, with occasional sightings recorded from the beaches and parklands across Sydney and further afield. If you’re hoping for a successful whale spotting season to add to your 2022 bucket list, it is highly recommended to head offshore for the best views and guarantees of up close sightings. Boat cruises offer advanced whale tracking technology, as well as local guidance and knowledge to guarantee you a safe and memorable whale experience!
How do the three stages of whale migration affect my chances of a sighting?
After a summer of feeding in the well-stocked waters of Antarctica, whales begin their annual migration north to breed in the safe, warm waters of North Queensland. The season can be divided into three main stages to help prospective whale watchers increase their chances of offshore sightings, based on the migration pattern and stages in the breeding season. May typically kicks off the start of the north migration period, with sightings increasing every day until the start of August when many of our marine guests continue their journey on towards Queensland. The southern migration begins in the final weeks of winter when the more curious and adventurous whales begin their descent back to Antarctica. The last stage of migration in October-November offers the opportunity to spot mothers and their calves starting their first journey together back to the feeding grounds.
What type of whales can I see?
The East-coast of Australia welcomes humpback whales to their waters every winter, with more than 40,000 migrating through Sydney over 7 months. Humpbacks are often referred to as the acrobats of the ocean, engaging in many spectacular jumps and behaviours for visitors to witness up close during one of the seasons. You may also meet southern right whales, dolphins, seals and the rare blue whale whilst offshore whale spotting.
Famous whale activities to look out for:
Humpback whales can put on quite a show during their migration journey, with their behaviours changing over the season. From masculine displays of attention from the boys to motherly love with calves, there are some unmissable sights to be seen on a whale watching cruise.
Breaching whales:
A form of communication, or possibly even a whale in need of a date! The northern migration period is filled with breaching whales, leaping out of the water in an intense, unforgettable display. Some theories suggest males breach in the early part of the migration to show their dominance to prospective mates, however, it is still unclear the exact reason these magnificent 40-tonne creatures lift themselves above the water’s surface and into the air.
Spy hopping:
Whales are curious animals and occasionally they pop their heads out of the water to have a look at what’s happening on the surface. Interestingly, during spy-hopping, whales don’t use their tail flukes to stay upright. Instead, they use their pectoral fins to tread water, much like humans do.
Tail slapping
Another flirting technique in the 7-month mission for a ‘holiday fling’ is, female humpbacks are believed to use tail slapping to entice the interest of their male counterparts. This act releases an irresistible scent to potential matches close by, altering them so that she is ready for some romance on arrival to the Great Barrier Reef.
Fluke up dive
Humpbacks dive underwater for around four to eight minutes between surfacing for a breath. This whole process requires a lot of cooperation from the whale’s entire body, resulting in the occasional tail lifting out of the water to allow depth for the dive before total submission.
Choose Any Boat with your whale-spotting cruise this season!
Whale watching Sydney is a thrilling experience. Our dedicated whale team prides itself on being able to provide you with the biggest selection of whale spotting cruises available in the city, with packages catered to many different occasions and group sizes. We bring with us a superior understanding of migratory routes and navigational skills, bringing you as close to the action as possible, without disturbing the safety and sanctuary of our marine visitors or onboard guests! Secure this must-see bucket list experience during your next visit to Sydney this winter!
