Whale Watching Season in Sydney: Best Viewing Spots, Species Guide & Cruise Info
- Alec Smart
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Humpbacks, History & Where to Spot Them: Your Guide to Whale Migration on the NSW Coast
By Alec Smart
The annual whale migration season is in full flight, as an estimated 40,000 cetaceans make their way up the east coast to warmer waters for feeding and breeding.
Between early May until late August, whales journey northwards through the Tasman Sea to the Coral Sea, and out into the South Pacific Ocean, many of them in close proximity to the shore.
From mid-August until late November, the cetaceans return; the early southbound travellers on route to the Southern Ocean bypass the late northbound, often socialising as they cross paths.
Humpbacks, which feature distinctive fluted chins and long fins with up to 11 bumps known as ‘tubercles’, are, along with southern right whales, the most common of the migratory cetaceans in our waters. Around 30,000 (of the approximately 80,000 humpbacks worldwide) travel up and down the east coast of Australia every year.
Humpbacks and grey whales travel the longest distances of all whales – some swim a 10,000km round trip during their migratory cycle! Males often leap completely out of the water - known as ‘breaching’ - during demonstrations of strength generally intended to impress females.
However, only a few species of dolphins migrate, often travelling in pods among the whales, and they trek significantly shorter distances, preferring instead to follow the seasonal movements of their favourite fish prey.
Cetacean/whale facts
The word ‘cetacean’ is derived from the Ancient Greek ‘ketus’, meaning ‘monster-sized fish’, although they are not fish but warm-blooded mammals that give birth to live young, breathing air through a nostril ‘blowhole’, not filtered through gills.
There are 86 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises worldwide - all marine-dwelling carnivores with diets that range from minuscule plankton to fish to other whales.
45 species of cetacean are found in Australian waters, including 10 large whales, 20 smaller whales, 14 dolphins and a single breed of porpoise. Some of them are seasonal, others reside all year round.
Cetaceans can be divided into two categories of feeders:
Baleen, which have thin, frayed-end strainers for teeth through which they filter small marine creatures like plankton and fish.
Toothed, which generally prey on fish and squid, although some, like orca (aka “killer whales”, which are actually large dolphins and not whales, despite their name), also hunt seals or other cetaceans.
Humpbacks and Bryde’s whales engage in ‘bubble net’ feeding, an intelligent hunting tactic requiring group cooperation and coordination. After surrounding a school of fish, one whale dives beneath the shoal, then exhales carbon dioxide from its blowhole. This has the effect of enshrouding the fish in clusters of spiralling bubbles, disorienting them.
Then, another whale emits a loud noise beneath the confused fish, which panics them into swimming upwards in fright. The cluster of whales then forms a tight circle and follows their prey upward, their mouths agape to swallow the doomed fish at the ocean surface.
Humpbacks have been recorded remaining underwater for up to an hour. Orcas seldom remain underwater longer than 15 minutes and when hunting need to breathe frequently.
Whales and dolphins can’t breathe while they’re asleep, but they’re adept at snoozing parts of their brain while an active part enables them to stay afloat, breathe and watch for predators.
Where to watch whales in Sydney?
There are several great vantage points around Mosman and Sydney for whale watching, and humpback whales are sometimes spotted swimming into the harbour. Top spots include Middle Head, Bradley’s Head, and nearby North Head. Don’t forget your binoculars — the first sign a whale might be nearby is a big puff of mist as they surface for a breath.
If you want to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures, we recommend booking a trip with Ocean Extreme. There are two cruises daily, with pick-up options from Circular Quay or Manly Wharf. As soon as you're aboard, you’re headed straight into the action - at speed! The best part, you’re guaranteed to see a whale or you cruise again for free.
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