The new south wales whale watching season runs from may november. The australian coastline provides bountiful opportunities to observe any number of whale species on their annual migration. It is not the most tourist season in sydney, but you should try whale watching if you are visiting the city during this period. Whale watching in australia has grown tremendously over the last decade. Our fantastic lookouts are perfect vantage points to. Whale watching in nsw nsw environment, energy and science. However, on occasion whale watchers are blessed with a sighting of minke whales and orcas. Southern right whales are also commonly seen in australian waters. Whale watching on the sapphire coast reconnect with nature. Whale watching sydney runs cruises from may to december and youre almost guaranteed to see a whale. But whale watching season differs throughout the country and so do the kinds of whales youll see. Select a region to find the perfect whale watching spot for you. During the northern migration, the humpbacks head north between may and august mostly to give birth and to mate in the coral sea waters. The cetacean, which is in average 15 meters long, reaches the coasts of uruguay between.
If you want to combine a whale watching experience with a unique stay in this beautiful part of new south wales, have a look at the imeson, mildenhall and thomson cottages in the cape byron conservation area. Whale watching season is upon us, and the new south wales coast is one of the best spots in the world to catch these majestic creatures in action. Whale watching season sydney cruise and aquarium visit. Weve been preparing our two boats, niels jonsson and sandvikin, the last couple of weeks after the now finished winter fishing season. During whalewatching season, youll see these majestic mammals from many headlands in sydney and at destinations from byron bay in the north to eden in the south. Keen whale watchers can download the free wild about whales mobile app, which helps users find the best locations for spotting whales, get realtime. Top spots for whale watching in australia tourism australia. Catch a glimpse of a humpback whale nsw government.
Whale watching tours and coastal activities take place at nsw national parks all. You can also download the free wild about whales app to help locate whales. Australia the best tips for whale watching in australia whaletrips. Jervis bay, sydney, port stephens, port macquarie and byron tweed heads. In nsw, its common to see humpback whales, southern right whales and dolphins, but you may also spot orcas, blue whales, minke whales and sperm whales. From ben boyd national park to sydney harbour national park, cape byron and beyond, find the best whale watching hot spots and coastal activities in nsw national parks. Towards the end of the autumn months, they begin their migration north to the warmer waters of. Nsw whale watching season wild about whales nsw national. The migration of humpback whales near nsw coast takes place between may and november. Find the best whale watching locations, cruises and other coastal activities within nsw national parks. The long whale season in australia between may and november no doubt contributes to its growing popularity. Whale watching in australia is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity along various. Katter would go to jail before downloading tracing app. Tips for whale watching season sydney 2015 youtube.
For more information about humpback whales and other whales we recommend you download the nsw national parks and wildlifes wild about whales app. They head north to the warm coastal waters of queensland and the coral sea to mate and give birth from late april to august, and return southwards from around september to november. Most whale watching charters offer 100% guaranteed viewing during migration season, but if you want to monitor the activity for yourself download the nsw whale watching app for recent sightingsm, real time updates and notifications of whale activity. Moonee beach and the nearby look at me now headland walk are standout whale watching spots.
Humpbacks on the move off nsw with 2019 migration season. Sep 07, 2017 the southern right whale is one of the animal species which arouses the most touristic interest in uruguay. A whale watching trip i went on elsewhere couldnt get closer than a couple of hundred metres to the whales. Get wild about whales and plan your coastal whale watching adventure now.
Get the latest sightings, learn whale facts and plan your next coastal adventure. Check out our pick of the best whale watching vantage points, tours and accommodation in nsw. Whale watching capital of australia hervey bay the calm, protected waters of hervey bay provide the perfect conditions for mother humpbacks to teach their newborn calves survival skills before continuing their migration along the queensland coastline from june to november every year. From whale watching cruises to clifftop lookouts in scenic national parks, there are many ways to enjoy whale watching season on the beautiful nsw south coast.
Every year, whales migrate along the nsw coastline. Keen whale watchers can download the free national parks and wildlife service wild about whales mobile app, which helps users find the best locations for spotting whales, get. Subscribe to naturescapes for the latest news from nsw national. The much anticipated 2016 whale watching season commences in may 15th, just short of two weeks from today. Humpback whales and southern right whales sail north for warmer waters throughout june and into july, and return southwards from around september to november.
Whale watchers can download npws free wild about whales mobile app to find the best vantage points, get realtime notifications of nearby sightings, log their own and more. Whale watching season 2018 is just around the corner. Best time for whale watching in australia about australia. Whale watching in australia is a popular recreational pursuit and a tourist activity along various coasts. Whales migrate in their thousands along the nsw coast, which stretches more than 2,000 km. Governmental regulations limit any whale watching tours to this time period.
Whale watching twice each year ulladulla experiences the migration of several species of whales. Whale watching season whale watching nsw reflections. Whale watching is a popular pastime in australia, whether from the land or on a whale watching tour. Dont miss out on an unforgettable experience this whale watching season, visit the. The whale population of the southern hemisphere spends the summer months feeding in antarctica. Between may and november, thousands of majestic humpback and southern right whales make their way along the coast in an incredible annual migration. Learn about different whale species you might see and tips for spotting them, take photos and share. The best spots to whale watch on the central coast. Offering coastal sightseeing and whale watching tours in newcastle and lake macquarie. Whale watching season whale watching iceland tours. Whale app app wild about whales nsw national parks. May 08, 2019 the whale watching season in sydney is between may and november each year but some times are better than others to increase your chances of seeing whales. Great whale watching opportunities mixed with the added bonus of being in one of australias best holiday destinations.
Coastxp is a premier hunter coast adventure boat experience. One of the best ways to take a selfguided whale watching tour is to download. From 2hour trips to multiday cruises, whale watching during whale season is a highly popular activity. Each whale swims past the sydney coast over a 6 hour period, so they may pass us in the night time when no one is watching. See how the season progresses with the whale sightings counter. Whale watching australia 2017 sydney, gold coast, hervey. Today, the mere report of a sighting sends a thrill of excitement through the community. Whale watching season starts in nsw abc news australian. With its unspoiled beaches and lush vegetation, the coffs coast is an idyllic spot for a whale watching adventure. Visit nsw national parks for a whale of a time nsw. May 26, 2017 find out more about the best whale watching vantage spots along the nsw coast, to learn about whale behaviours and different species of whales, and to download the free wild about whales mobile app to log and view the most uptodate whale sightings near you, go to wild about whales. Narooma whale watching narooma charters see whales.
Whale watching in nsw every year, whales migrate along the nsw coastline. Whales love a harbour and sydney has one of the best. Interested in the latest whale sightings off the nsw coast. Today, nothing can match the might of the tourism dollar, as everyone has discovered with whale watchers hailing from around the world to join admiring australians as onlookers and, in doing so, inject invaluable cash into the economy and help boost physical efforts to saving the whales. Whale watching in sydney highlights from destination nsw on vimeo. Whale watching season in banderas bay and the pacific ocean near puerto vallarta officially begins december 8 th and runs through the winter until march 23 rd. From may to november we are blessed to have thousands of humpback whales passing through our warm waters. With a huge journey that averages around 5,000kms each year, this movement of whales is one of the longest migratory voyages of any mammal on earth. I understand there are reasons but it was still massively underwhelming. Boats, planes and helicopters operated by whale watching tour operators are a common sight along the east coast. Available for android and ios, download the wild about whales app and log. Whale watching in sydney more than 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises can be found in waters surrounding australia. From tweed to eden, the nsw coast provides perfect vantage points to see these majestic ocean giants. Whale season dates the whale watching season officially starts on june 1.
Known as the humpback highway, humpback and southern right whales are the most commonly sighted, but you may also spot orcas, blue whales, minke whales and sperm whales. Apr 30, 2009 the whale watching season started in late april. Spectators on both the east and west coasts have the chance to enjoy their own whale show, twice a year, as the mammals travel to and from antarctica for what should be known as the worlds longest lunch feasting on all types of fish, krill, and plankton. There are a number of different migration and whale seasons. Compare whale watch tours whale watch tour bookings. Would be nice to include day tours and boat trips in sydney. Overview of whale watching season in sydney from april to november tens of thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast of sydney, between their winter feeding ground and their summer breeding ground along the east coast of australia. Whale watching in sydney official sydney tourism website. Wild about whales is a celebration of whales along the nsw coastline. Whale watching nsw whale watching season, activities.
Whale season attracts humpback and dwarf minke whales between may and september to the warm waters of the great barrier reef. We could hardly believe it when the whale breached john our skipper said i could hardly believe it. At this time of year in the pacific northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9. I was told by an art gallery owner in provincetown in mid april that whales had been spotted from land thats a bit unusual, but it happens, and it tends to suggest that the whale watching season will be a good one. An estimated 30,000 humpbacks will travel along the nsw coastline in coming months and imagine whale watching tour veteran frank future says the region is in for a bumper season. Whale watching adventures in south coast nsw whale. A special moment during a whale watching cruise in sydney.
The high season for whale watching in nsw is in full swing. Was humpback whale migration season begins mandurah. It has been provided free of charge for you to get out and enjoy nsw s coastal national parks during the annual whale migration season from may to november. Depending on the season, you can watch the whales on their way north or. Humpback whale breaching off the coast of sydney, nsw. Coastal national park visitors may be lucky enough to see more than one species of whale, with southern right and minke whales often spotted during the season. There was a time when residents of the hobart suburb of taroona complained of being kept awake by the sounds of whales snorting in the river derwent. The east coast of australia is like a highway for the humpback whale migration which sees the whales travel from the cold waters of the arctic, north to the warmer waters off australias north coasts. Download wild about whales and enjoy it on your iphone, ipad and ipod touch. A wide variety of whales are seen on our whale watching tours including humpbacks, southern rights, fin whales, brydes whales, sei whales, blue whales, and killer whales, and large pods of dolphins are an added delight.
But if you have your binoculars ready and want to explore at your own pace, its possible. Whale watching adventures in south coast nsw visit nsw. Weve been walking sydneys coastline for years, so here are our tips on how to take advantage of nature to get the best out of your whale watching time. Memorial day through late august we offer whale watching at sunset. Download our free app to find the top whale watching spots in nsw and submit your sighting. The ultimate guide to whale watching in sydneys waters. National parks make up almost 50 per cent of the nsw coastline and provide some of the best vantage points to. In may, whale groups including humpbacks and southern.
Every year, humpback whales and southern right whales migrate along the nsw coastline. The best time for whale watching in this region, however, is between july and september. The whale watching season in sydney is between may and november each year but some times are better than others to increase your chances of seeing whales. We are excitedly anticipating the beginning of the upcoming whale watching season. Peak whale watching season in full swing port macquarie news. Thousands of whales are seen from highlight locations including. Top 8 whale watching spots in nsw australian geographic. Photos above were taken by staff of go whale watching owned by merimbula marina. You just have to go whale watching in sydney with kids. From eden in the south to byron in the north each location is witness to the majesty of the humpback whale migration. Tracking app fears and new covid19 cases recorded in nsw. This app is the official whale watching guide to new south wales developed by the nsw national parks and wildlife service. Its my favourite time of the year, the northern humpback migration to hervey bay to breed, mr future said. See southern right and humpback whales during australias whale watching season between may and november.
From may to november, the pacific coast migration goes from south to north and back again as the whales seek warmer water for the winter months. Off the coasts of california, there is no shortage of whale watching tours available for whale season. Coastxp whale watching and sightseeing tours, newcastle nsw. To give yourself the best chance of spotting whales is to go with an expert. As our passengers and staff can attest, last year was nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you take a whale watching cruise, hop from cliff to seaside cliff with your binoculars or simply laze on a beach and wait for that telltale spout of water, heres where youll find them. The whales are a little early for the official whale watching season which begins on july 1, when whales head north for breeding. You will also see dolphins surf the wake of the vessel as it moves along at a steady speed. Jun 25, 2012 authorities in nsw have said that this week is one of the best of the whale watching season with large number of the mammals heading north on their annual migration. He predicted port macquarie residents may spot from 80100 whales per day in peak season, with a total of 20,000 migrating through our waters. Up north, byron bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in nsw. You can go whale watching all winter and spring may november in sydney. The australian whale sanctuary was established in 1999 to protect dolphins and.
The waters of the great australian bright marine park are one of the most. Keen whale watchers can download the free wild about whales mobile app, which helps users find the best locations for spotting whales, get realtime notifications of nearby sightings, and record their sightings. The warmest times to go will be during the beginning and end of the season, as theyre not in the deepest part of winter, but a sunny day in winter. Across nsw, there are plenty of vantage points to see the splashing sensations from may to november every year. The ten best spots for whale watching on the nsw coast. New south wales whale watching whale watch tour bookings. We saw migaloo for the first time in 2014 and in 2011 we were lucky enough to see an all white humpback whale calf, so chances have doubled to see an all white whale. Nsws coastal national parks during the annual whale migration season from may to november. Weve been walking sydney s coastline for years, so here are our tips on how to take advantage of nature to get the best out of your whale. You can also stretch out your sea legs with a whale.
Whale watching in nsw more than 30,000 whales make their way along the nsw coast from may to november each year. Home topics wildlife top 8 whale watching spots in nsw top 8 whale watching spots in nsw from may to november each year, australias east coast transforms into a whale watching hot spot, with vast numbers heading north to breed after a summer spent feeding in antarctic waters. Take the plunge and explore our parks, go whale watching and discover what there is to see and do. The season can be split into two parts depending on the direction of travel for the majority of whales during this time. The migrating population is named the group 5 southern hemisphere humpback whale population or the australian east coast humpbacks. Many of these coastal parks and reserves provide excellent viewing opportunities for whale watching. However, it is important to do your research before embarking, as not all whale watching tours are created. Best whale watching in sydney with kids the kid bucket list.
The season is split into two distinct sections depending on the direction of travel of the majority of whales at that time. Whale watching is a popular pastime in sydney in the winter and spring. Aug 31, 2017 whale watching in sydney is one of most interesting attractions during winter season. Thats when boat charters and tour groups will start taking people out to view the whales, and tourists flock to places. The first day of winter today marks the official start of the whale watching season around sydney and the new south wales east coast.
During whale watching season, youll see these majestic mammals from many headlands in sydney and at destinations from byron bay in the north to eden in the south more than 50 per cent of the planets species of cetaceans whales, dolphins and porpoises. Whale watchers have already logged over 4,000 whale sightings on our free wild about whales app, so its shaping up to be a great whale watching season. Jun 18, 2015 the 10 happiest countries to live in the world 2019 seen as the worlds safest countries duration. Southern right and minke whales may also be spotted off the nsw coast during migration season.
Everyone knows the magical feeling of spying one of the majestic mammals from afar so, in the spirit of sharing, weve found the top seven spots to see them from the shore. The wild about whales website and app lists all the best viewing locations. Plan your next coastal adventure with australias first official whale watching guide to new south w hales. Whale watching season off the popular gold coast region begins around the end of may until october. Mar 24, 2020 best time to see whales in sydney, weatherwise.
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