Hello seafarers,
Each year between May and November, Sydney's coastline comes alive with one of nature's greatest spectacles along the Humpback Highway. While humpback whales are the most frequently seen and celebrated, they’re not alone out in the big blue. From the enormous blue whale to the stealthy minke, there are a variety of incredible species that visit Sydney’s waters during the migration season.
In this guide, we'll explore the types of whales you're most likely to encounter, those that appear less frequently, and how to identify them based on their unique characteristics. Whether you're watching from the deck of a cruise or scanning the sea from a cliffside lookout, knowing what to look for makes every sighting more exciting.
Humpback whale
Our most frequent and flamboyant visitors are humpback whales with over 40,000 of them visiting Sydney each season as they migrate to and from Antarctica. Seen from May to November, humpbacks are famous for their spectacular breaches and acrobatics.
Humpback whales are easy to recognise thanks to their long white pectoral fins, knobbly heads covered in tubercles (bumps on their upper and lower jaw), and small dorsal fin set far back on a distinctive arched back.
The humpbacks that visit Sydney are generally part of the eastern Australian population which are known for their striking black-and-white contrast with predominantly white bellies which can be seen when they breach or roll at the surface. This white colouring is a key identifier and contrasts with populations in the Northern Hemisphere and some other Southern Hemisphere groups, which often have darker undersides.
Southern right whale
Southern right whales are a very special Sydney visitor, most likely spotted between June and August. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, they remain an endangered species today and are less understood than other species like humpbacks.
Unlike the predictable patterns of the humpback migration, southern right whale movements remain more mysterious. We know they travel between sub-Antarctic feeding grounds and temperate nursery areas, but their specific routes and timing around the east coast of Australia, especially near Sydney, are still the subject of ongoing research.
These whales are round in shape and slow-moving with distinctive callosities (rough patches of skin) on their heads that are unique to each individual, much like a fingerprint. They lack a dorsal fin and often float at the surface, often close to shore in shallow, sheltered bays and beaches where they rest and nurse their young.
Southern rights are usually spotted travelling alone or in mother-calf pairs, or occasionally in small groups of 2-3 whales.
Minke whale
Occasionally seen between June to August, minke whales are sleek, speedy and elusive. They rarely breach, making them hard to spot, and their surfacing is quick and precise.
The minke whales seen in Sydney are usually dwarf minke whales, a subspecies of the common minke. At 6 to 8 metres long, they are smaller than their northern relatives and known for their distinctive white flipper markings, often referred to as "armbands" or "shoulder flashes". Keep your eyes peeled for a small curved dorsal fin and a brief blow, often gone before you blink!
Much of what we know about this subspecies comes from research in far north Queensland, particularly on the Great Barrier Reef, where they are known to interact with snorkellers in June and July. However, their migration routes and population numbers remain poorly understood, and sightings near Sydney are sporadic.
Bryde's whale
These warm-water whales make occasional appearances throughout winter and spring. Although Bryde’s (pronounced “BROO-dus”) whales prefer warmer waters, the EAC (East Australian Current) carries warm tropical water southward along the coast bringing with it favourable temperatures and prey which can attract Bryde’s whales to Sydney. These whales are known to follow food rather than fixed migration routes, so when baitfish concentrations rise near Sydney, Bryde’s whales may move in to feed.
Bryde’s whales travel solo or in pairs and can be mistaken for sei whales due to their similar size and shape. They have a unique three-ridged head and often surface slowly while feeding.
Orca
Often called killer whales, orcas are actually the largest members of the dolphin family, not true whales. They’re part of the broader cetacean group which encompasses whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and are widely considered the ocean’s top apex predator. Orcas are uncommon but thrilling visitors to Sydney’s waters, most likely seen between July and September.
Travelling in tightly knit family pods, orcas use coordinated hunting strategies and complex vocal communication to hunt. Orcas belong to different sub-groups which informs their distinct diets, behaviours and hunting strategies. Each sub-group passes down its hunting techniques culturally with young orcas learn specialised skills from their pod.
Orcas are unmistakable thanks to their striking black-and-white colouring and tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fins, which can reach up to 1.8 metres high in males.
Blue whale
The largest animals on the planet, blue whales are exceptionally rare in Sydney waters. Seen only a handful of times in the last 100 years, blue whales tend to travel in deep water and may be seen between August and October during offshore krill booms. Blue whales can be up to 30 metres long with a heart as big as a small car! Their immense size is supported by a diet of tiny krill, which they consume in vast quantities during the feeding season.
How to see whales in Sydney
For the best chance to encounter these incredible whale species up close, nothing beats a Sydney Harbour whale watching cruise. At Go Whale Watching Sydney, we're out on the water every day during the season, closely following the movements and behaviours of the whales. That local knowledge helps us position our premium whale watching vessels for the best possible sightings.
Book your whale watching cruise today and see who you meet out there!
Happy whale spotting,
