Sightseeing Cruises

Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Brekkie/ BBQ Lunch

Duration

4 hrs

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.8/5(47)

Heather G

Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Buffet food beautiful. I felt that there were too many people cramped at the tables for lunch. I have had better whale experiences, but I appreciate that has nothing to do with what you offer!! People being sick around me , outside, put a bit of a dampener on the experience for me. Overall, I'm pleased I did the cruise. The 2 whales inside the Heads made it all worthwhile

Melanie B

Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
Well managed cruise. Crew were fantastic and professional. Managed to see a couple of whales which was great. Food was suitable for the conditions and well presented. Plenty of areas to see from inside our outside. Great entertainment with the 'heaving' passengers.

Myungsik P

Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
We had a great time! There was plenty of time for whale watching without feeling rushed. The boat wasn't overcrowded, which made the experience much more enjoyable. Also, the lunch buffet was quite decent and reasonably good.

Macy G

Solo
Verified booking
Jul 2026
It was fantastic, food was great, our host was fantastic giving us a heap of information regarding whales, the ocean, Sydney etc. We really had a wonderful day so thank you
    • 2.5-hour or 4-hour whale-watching cruise (as per option selected)

    • Fully qualified crew onboard

    • Live English commentary

    • Breakfast or BBQ buffet lunch onboard (as per option selected)

    • Tea, coffee & water (as per option selected)

    • Whale sighting guarantee: free rebooking within 3 years if no whales spotted

    • Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase onboard)
  • Embark on an unforgettable 4-hour whale watching cruise aboard the purpose-built "Jerry Bailey" — designed for comfort, optimal viewing, and expert-guided marine adventure. With freshly prepared meals, knowledgeable crew, and stunning views of migrating whales, this experience delivers the ultimate in relaxation and wildlife discovery on Sydney’s waters.

    Getting started

    Begin your journey at Circular Quay, where you’ll check in for either the morning breakfast cruise or the midday lunch cruise. Once onboard the spacious “Jerry Bailey,” the friendly and fully qualified crew will greet you, introduce key safety information, and offer you tea, coffee, or water to get you settled. Then, you’ll set off past Sydney Harbour’s iconic skyline toward the open ocean in search of humpback whales.

    What to expect

    This 4-hour cruise offers a longer, more relaxed, and immersive whale watching experience, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the journey, savor your meal, and encounter the magnificent humpback whales during their annual migration.

    Choose from:

    • Breakfast cruise: Enjoy a freshly prepared hot breakfast onboard, perfect for early risers, with vegetarian and dietary accommodations available with prior notice, available on weekends.

    • Lunch cruise: Midday tours feature a buffet-style assisted service lunch, with similar flexibility for special dietary needs.

    Throughout the cruise, your expert guide will provide live commentary, sharing fascinating insights into whale behavior, migration, and marine conservation. With guest numbers intentionally capped at 95 (on a vessel that holds 180), you have more space to move between the multiple outdoor viewing platforms and the indoor lounge for the best vantage points.

    And thanks to the whale sighting guarantee, you can rebook another tour for free within three years if you don’t spot any whales during your cruise, though sightings are frequent and the crew is known for their success rate and dedication.

    Features

    • 4-hour premium whale watching cruise: Plenty of time to travel beyond Sydney Heads and observe whales in their natural habitat at a relaxed pace.

    • Whale sighting guarantee: No whales on your cruise? Receive a free return cruise valid for up to 3 years.

    • Expert live commentary: Fully qualified and passionate crew offer engaging insights and answer questions about the whales and local marine life.

    • Fresh meals onboard:

      • Hot breakfast on weekend morning cruises

      • Buffet lunch on midday cruises

      • Vegetarian and special dietary accommodations available (request in advance)

    • Comfortable purpose-built vessel:

      • Multiple spacious outdoor decks

      • Indoor lounge with large windows

      • Limited capacity for more personal space and better views

      • Licensed bar on board with beverages available for purchase

    • Complimentary tea, coffee & water: Available throughout the cruise for added comfort.

    • Consistently outstanding reviews: Praised for food quality, knowledgeable crew, and reliable whale sightings.

    This cruise is perfect for guests looking for a well-rounded, comfortable whale-watching experience with added perks, including great food, expert guides, and generous viewing space. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or a first-time visitor, this tour promises lasting memories on the open sea.

  • TOTAL DURATION3 hours 55 minutes - 4 hours 5 minutes
    FREQUENCYday, May–Nov; lunch daily, breakfast on weekends
    MODE OF TRANSFERCatamaran
    Timeline
    Map

    1 Boarding point

    Circular Quay

    Get direction

    Sights covered

    Buffet breakfast/lunch

    Buffet breakfast/lunch

    Humpback Whale

    Humpback Whale

    Bottlenose Dolphin

    Bottlenose Dolphin

    Australian Fur Seal

    Australian Fur Seal

    Albatross

    Albatross

    Sydney Opera House

    Sydney Opera House

    Sydney Harbour Bridge

    Sydney Harbour Bridge

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 47 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

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    What our guests say

    жанар У

    Couple
    Verified booking
    3 weeks ago
    Everything was wonderful, a truly memorable experience! It lived up to all my expectations.🥰😘👍

    Heather G

    Family
    Verified booking
    3 weeks ago
    Buffet food beautiful. I felt that there were too many people cramped at the tables for lunch. I have had better whale experiences, but I appreciate that has nothing to do with what you offer!! People being sick around me , outside, put a bit of a dampener on the experience for me. Overall, I'm pleased I did the cruise. The 2 whales inside the Heads made it all worthwhile

    Cynthia C

    Family
    Verified booking
    3 weeks ago
    Beautiful day, tasty lunch, good commentary and we saw several whales.

    Jing S

    Family
    Verified booking
    3 weeks ago
    nice boat with delicious food. was amazing to see the whales

    Tracy J

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Last week
    Actually seeing whales an the very supportive crew!

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