Layers of warm clothes, waterproof warm/jacket and non-slip shoes.
Accessories: Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses & Camera.
Bring food & drinks. Some snacks/drinks available for purchase on board.
Take sea sickness tablet one hour before cruise, if desired.
Whale Watching Sydney FAQ: Tours, Tips & What to Expect
Discover answers to common questions about whale watching tours in Sydney, including best times to go, what to bring, tour duration, and humpback sightings.
Mostly humpback whales during migration (May–Oct). You might also see minke, southern right, Bryde’s, sei, or even blue whales, bottlenose dolphins, Australian fur seals, sometimes orcas and false killer whales have been observed.
We run whale watching adventures throughout the annual migration of Humpback Whales. They journey northward from mid May through July, with some still heading north and others beginning their southern journey in August. From September to late October, they return southward. Any period within this range offers excellent opportunities for whale watching. However, after 2o years filming and observing whales off Sydney Captain Dean recommends June to late July as the peak season for Sydney. During this time, we observe the highest concentration of whales on their northern migration, witnessing large pods and a diverse range of behaviors.
Boats stay at least 100m away, but curious whales sometimes come closer—this is called a “mugging.”
Well that’s up to the behaviour of the whales. Regulations exist to safeguard these majestic creatures. By law, all boats, whether for whale watching or recreation, must maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from adult whales. Humpback whales, known for their curiosity, may approach boats closely. At times, they come so near that the boat’s movement is restricted, a phenomenon affectionately termed a ‘mugging.’ However, such encounters do not occur on every tour.
Breaching and behaviours like pectoral slapping or spy-hopping aren’t guaranteed, but Captain Dean explains all behaviours we do see on board.
We love seeing whales breaching too! However, let’s keep our expectations realistic; breaching doesn’t happen every day. As wild animals, whales exhibit diverse behaviours, and our goal is to respectfully observe them during our encounters. Captain Dean is dedicated to navigating around whales with care. Ultimately, the behaviour we witness is entirely at the whales’ discretion. Just like us, they have their own unique personalities and moods each day as they migrate. To fully appreciate the range of whale behaviours, multiple whale watching trips may be necessary, although occasionally, we’re fortunate enough to witness various behaviors within a single tour. Captain Dean will explain the behaviours we see on your cruise and the theories behind why whales breach, pectoral slap and spy hop.
At Barefoot Whale Watching, it means we’ve seen at least one whale three times during the tour.
Typically, during our whale watching tours, we spend time with multiple whales, sighting them repeatedly. At Barefoot Whale Watching Sydney a ‘whale sighting’ means that we’ve successfully approached at least one whale and observed it on a minimum of three occasions. It’s essential to understand that whales spend most of their lives underwater, only surfacing to breathe, which they do every 5-20 minutes. Therefore, our ability to view them is limited to these moments when they come to the surface.
We offer a 100% whale sighting guarantee. You’ll get a free return tour, valid for the current season. No refunds apply unless your tour is cancelled.
Rest assured, we make every effort to ensure whales are sighted on our tours. However, it’s crucial to understand that whales are wild animals! In the rare event that no whales are spotted during your tour, we extend the opportunity for you to join another whale watching adventure at no extra cost. This offer is valid for the current season only and cannot be transferred. Please note that this offer does not entitle you to a refund. If no whales are sighted during the final weeks of the whale watching season, a voucher will be issued for the following season’s whale watching tours.
Our Whale Watching vessel BAREFOOT BLUE will arrive at Eastern Pontoon Wharf on the East side of Circular Quay right on your pickup time so don’t be late! We recommend arriving 15min prior to your departure time. Goggle Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4LaPDjkoa3jhgGAv7?g_st=ic
Yes. Circular Quay is serviced by trains, ferries, buses, and taxis. Plan via Transport NSW.
Our tours depart on time so please plan your trip to the city to arrive in plenty of time. The boat will not be able to wait for you if you running 5 minutes late.
We recommend visiting http://www.transportnsw.info/and using their trip planner. Sydney Ferries–Services to Circular Quay Wharf depart from many harbourside wharfs around Sydney. This is Sydney Ferries central hub and our departure wharf is only a short walk away at Eastern pontoon.
Please check timetables for full schedule on Transport NSW Info call: 131 500 or www.131500.com.au Train–Circular Quay station is a 5 min walk from Eastern Pontoon Wharf Bus–Sydney Busses and all Hop-on Hop off bus services in the city stop at Circular Quay Taxi–Ask to be dropped at Eastern Circular Quay or Moore Steps on Macquarie St, walk down the steps and the wharf is on your right.
Tours go ahead in rain but may be cancelled for rough sea conditions. You’ll be notified and offered a reschedule or refund.
Our tours are reliant upon favourable ocean conditions. Typically, we don’t cancel tours solely due to forecasted rain. However, heavy rainfall can impede visibility and hinder our ability to locate and track whales. Factors such as wind strength and direction, as well as swell height and direction, influence our decision to GO or NOGO a tour. We rely on forecasts provided by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to make informed decisions.
You’ll be contacted via email or SMS. We’ll offer to reschedule or provide a refund, depending on how you booked.
In the event of a tour cancellation, an email and/or an SMS text message will be sent to the contact person listed on your booking. If you’ve booked and paid directly through our office or online booking system, we’ll reach out to you to offer the option to reschedule your tour for an alternate time. If rescheduling isn’t possible, a full refund will be provided. Please note that if you’ve booked through a third-party agent or are using a gift voucher or discounted voucher, the terms specified by your voucher or booking agent will apply.
Open ocean can be choppy. Take motion sickness meds at least 1 hour before boarding. There’s a pharmacy 200m from the wharf.
Our tours venture into the open ocean, where even on the calmest days, there can be some motion. For those not accustomed to sea travel, we recommend consulting your local pharmacy for preventive measures. They may suggest tablets, magnetic wristbands, or other remedies to alleviate seasickness.
Dress in warm layers, wear non-slip shoes, and bring a waterproof jacket, hat, sunglasses, snacks, and a camera.
EXCELLENT
Based on 171 reviews
Posted on Google
Grace T
19 October 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazinggg! Saw breaching whales
Posted on Google
Madhav Raman
19 October 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great cruise with amazing deckhand staff and captain! We went on the final boat trip of the whale watching season! Saw plenty of whales breach and the staff took extra care of all of us on board! Highly recommend barefoot whale watching tours for your next expedition!
Posted on Google
Thibaut Bellessort
19 October 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sensational ! We were lucky enough to have an incredible show with the whales
Thanks to the crew for this adventure ;)
Posted on Google
Hadda Tamene
19 October 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Une belle expérience qui restera inoubliable ! Nous avons vu plusieurs baleines et l’une d’elle s’est approché de nous pour nous applaudir ahah
Posted on Google
SueLyn Cheang
12 October 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Incredible whale watching. You can see that they are a small postnate team who genuinely care about the animals. They are very knowledgeable. They tried multiple times to get us whales to see. They don't scare the whales away by being too close, but we got super lucky on the last day of the season.
Also the boats are super comfortable, took a damn good nap otw back hahahah Thanks guys!
Posted on Google
Judith Krieger
9 October 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Oh my gosh, we had the most incredible experience with Barefoot Whale Watching yesterday! We had at least 6 whales gliding around, and then one came right up to the boat and turned slightly to look at us. Then another one! Later in the trip, we saw a large splash in the distance, followed by more, which our guide, Tom, explained was the splash after a breach. The Barefoot team was great, and the commentary was really interesting. Just a really special day.
Posted on Google
Brenda Deane
4 October 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
It was an amazing experience, the crew was very helpful and informative all the time, pointing at the direction of the whales while navigating. We’ve got to see a lot of whales💗 100% recommended!!
Posted on Google
Agus Ramirez
30 September 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Best whalewatching company in Sydney, been out with them a few times this season and every experience is incredible and better than the previous one. The crew is amazing and the data from the marine biologist really teaches you about the whales you're seeing. They're super helpful and respectful towards customers and the environment. Can't miss whalewatching with them!
Posted on Google
Cherokee Bolden
29 September 2025
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Definitely recommend doing this tour! Everyone was very nice and accommodating through the whole experience. We were in luck and had so many sightings of whales!
Verified by Trustindex
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
What Our Customers Are Saying…
From giant splashes to jaw-dropping moments our guests can’t stop raving about their whale-sized adventures! 🐋💬
“
Our family had the most amazing time on the whale watching tour! The children were absolutely thrilled to see dolphins and seals up close, and learning about the different whale species from Captain Dean and his crew made the experience both fun and educational. The crew’s enthusiasm was contagious, and their respect for marine life was admirable. We appreciated the extra measures taken to ensure our comfort and safety throughout the trip. It’s not just a tour; it’s an adventure that brings you closer to the wonders of the ocean. We can’t wait to come back!
Sally Badlen
Team Manager
“
Absolutely breathtaking! From the moment we set sail with Captain Dean and his crew, we knew we were in for a special day. The crew’s passion for the ocean and its inhabitants shone through, making our whale watching experience not only educational but truly heartwarming. We were lucky enough to witness a Humpback whale breaching right before our eyes – a moment I’ll cherish forever. The professionalism and knowledge of the team made us feel safe and welcomed throughout. A must-do for anyone visiting the area!
Paul Mann
CEO
“
What an incredible adventure! The trip exceeded all my expectations. The crew’s expertise ensured we were in the right place at the right time to see the whales in their natural habitat. The highlight of our day was seeing a pod of dolphins racing the boat, which was an unexpected and delightful surprise. Captain Dean’s dedication to marine conservation was evident, and it added a meaningful layer to our experience. The boat was comfortable and well-equipped, making the whole experience seamless and enjoyable. Highly recommend this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Jane Urer
Promotions Executive
SYDNEY WHALE WATCHING
Whale Season Is Here!
🐋 Small Groups. Front Row Views for Everyone. ✨ Don’t Miss the Magic — Tours Are Filling Fast! ✔ See Humpbacks Up Close | ✔ Family-Friendly | ✔ Secure Online Booking
