Sapphire Coastal Adventures Articles

Whale Watching on the Sapphire Coast: Why Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui Are Built for It

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:34:17 GMT

Explore why the Sapphire Coast is one of NSW’s best whale watching regions, with cruises from Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui.

G’day whale lovers,

There are whale watching destinations, and then there is the Sapphire Coast! Stretching along the far south coast of NSW, this region offers a front-row seat to one of the great natural journeys of the year: the humpback whale migration. From May to November, whales travel along our coastline as they move between Antarctic feeding grounds and warmer northern breeding waters.

With whale watching cruises from Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui, Sapphire Coastal Adventures gives visitors the chance to experience the migration from three uniquely different parts of the coast. Each departure point has its own feel, but all are shaped by the same pristine ocean, rugged headlands and deep cultural and historical connection to whale season.

Sheltered bays, open water, national parks and dramatic headlands!

What makes the Sapphire Coast so special is its location and geography. This coastline is carved by sheltered bays, open water, national parks and dramatic headlands, creating the perfect backdrop for whale watching.

It is not just a place whales pass by, they stop and rest, feed their young and socialise. It is a place where the migration feels closely woven into the landscape. Eden is especially tied to whale history. Sitting beside Twofold Bay, it has long been one of Australia’s most recognised whale watching towns. The area was once known for its shore-based whaling industry, but today its connection to whales is very different. Instead of hunting them, visitors now come to watch, learn and celebrate these incredible animals.

T wofold Bay, the home of Old Tom

Eden’s whale story is also one of the most unusual in Australia. The town is famous for the “Killers of Eden”, a group of orcas that were known to work with local whalers in Twofold Bay between the 1840s and 1930s. The best known of these orcas was Old Tom, whose skeleton is now on display at the Eden Killer Whale Museum. The museum preserves much of the region’s whaling history, including the story of Old Tom and the working relationship between the orcas and whalers. Older still is the connection between whales and the local Aboriginal people, whose culture and rich history with whales is unlike any other.

During the season, whales can pass through the area on both their northern and southern journeys. On their northern migration whales are often wider offshore, which makes our large, purpose-built vessel Bubbles, the ideal option for getting you up close to the energy and excitement. Bubbles operates from Eden during the northern migration meaning you can experience the history and magic of a whale watching cruise in comfort.

Whale watching adventures

The later season is especially loved by whale watchers, as mothers and calves may travel more slowly and closer to shore. Merimbula offers a different kind of whale watching experience. Sapphire Coastal Adventures’ Merimbula Whale Watching Adventure operates on selected days during the northern migration from May to July and the southern migration from August to early November. It is described as an adventure-style cruise, so guests are encouraged to bring a wet weather jacket and a sense of fun.

Spoiled for choice

Bermagui adds another layer to the Sapphire Coast story. Known for its striking coastal scenery, clear water and rich marine life, it is a beautiful departure point for people who want their whale watching experience to feel connected to a smaller coastal town. From here, the ocean feels close, open and full of possibility.

While humpbacks are the headline act, they are not the only marine life seen in these waters. Depending on the day, guests may also spot dolphins, seals, seabirds and other ocean wildlife. Sapphire Coastal Adventures also notes that sightings may include southern right whales, minke whales, Bryde’s whales, blue whales, orca, Australian fur seals, penguins, flying fish, sunfish, turtles and seabirds. That variety is what makes the Sapphire Coast so exciting. A whale watching trip here is not just about scanning the horizon for a tail. It is about stepping into a living marine environment where anything can happen.

If you're planning a trip in 2026, this season is going to offer plenty of opportunity. Come early for the northbound migration, come later for the southern return, or plan a coastal escape around Eden, Merimbula or Bermagui and make whale watching the hero of the journey. On the Sapphire Coast, the migration does not feel distant. It feels like part of the place, carried through the coastline, the town histories and the deep sapphire water just offshore.

Book your Sapphire Coast whale watching cruise with us today, and come share the magic of the humpback whale migration with us.

From the deck,

Captain Simon

5,300 nautical miles, 35 days at sea, a 40th birthday and a wake-up call for our oceans

Thu, 28 May 2026 01:30:09 GMT

Whale Dreamer has come home to the Sapphire Coast: 5,300 nautical miles, a 40th birthday and a wake-up call for our oceans

G’day from the Sapphire Coast,

It’s not every day you get to welcome a brand-new whale watching boat into your home waters, but that’s exactly what happened in Bermagui this season. After two years in the build, 35 days at sea, and 5,300 nautical miles in her wake, our newest vessel, Whale Dreamer, has finally arrived. She’s the boat we’ve been dreaming about for years, designed from the keel up to take whale watching on the Sapphire Coast to a whole new level, and there’s something pretty special about the fact that her very first port of call in Australia was right here at home.

After stepping off from the long delivery voyage from Thailand to Bermagui, I wanted to share a few stories from the journey, the good, the breathtaking, and the bits that gave us pause to think about the state of our oceans.

Two years in the build

Whale Dreamer has been a long time coming. She was built in Thailand by the same expert boatbuilder who crafted Bubbles, a team we trust completely after years of seeing how well Bubbles handles the waters off Eden and Bermagui. From the very first sketches, we had one goal in mind, to take everything we love about Bubbles and make it even better.

Two years of design, build, refinement and finishing later, she was finally ready to come home. Watching her transform from an aluminum hull into the finished vessel was something pretty special. She was even officially blessed by a local monk before setting off, which felt like the right way to send her on her maiden voyage across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

5,300 nautical miles, 35 days at sea

From The Gulf of Thailand we headed south through the Java Sea, around the top of Australia, and down the east coast to Bermagui, where Whale Dreamer will be readied for service before joining our Sapphire Coast fleet.

Thirty-five days at sea gives you a lot of time to take in the world from the wheelhouse. There were sunrises so soft and pink they didn’t feel real, sunsets that lit up the entire sky, glassy seas where you could see for miles, and big rolling swells that reminded us pretty quickly who’s in charge out there. And the quiet. A real, deep quiet you only ever find a long way from shore.

We had whales, dolphins, flying fish, seabirds, and even a few unexpected boardings from the odd squid. It was the kind of trip you spend a lifetime hoping to do.

A 40th birthday at Lady Elliot Island

A real highlight of the journey was pulling into Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, and a place I’ve always wanted to visit. As luck would have it, I happened to turn 40 while we were there. I spent the day swimming with green turtles and gliding alongside huge manta rays in some of the clearest water I’ve ever been in.

There aren’t many milestone birthdays you can mark by being eye to eye with a manta ray. It’s one of those days I’ll be telling stories about for the rest of my life, and a beautiful reminder of just how extraordinary our part of the world really is.

Coming into Bermagui

Pulling into Bermagui after 35 days at sea was a moment I’ll never forget. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of bringing your new boat into your home waters for the very first time. Familiar headlands, familiar swell, the same coastline we’ve worked for years, and now a new vessel ready to share it with all of you.

The Sapphire Coast is one of the most special stretches of coastline anywhere in the world, and we feel incredibly lucky to call it home. Whale Dreamer is going to be a beautiful new chapter for whale watching on the Sapphire Coast, and we can’t wait to start sharing her with our guests from the Spring.

A wake-up call for our oceans

It wasn’t all postcard moments though. One of our most lasting memories from the journey is just how polluted our oceans have become. We passed thousands of tonnes of plastic and rubbish floating in the open sea, sometimes drifting in lines that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Our propellers were fouled by ghost nets several times and had to be cleared by hand. We watched dolphins playing with plastic waste like it was driftwood, and motored past hundreds of small fishing boats working waters that, at this point, contain more plastic than fish.

Out here on the Sapphire Coast, we’re lucky to operate in some of the cleanest waters in Australia, but the ocean is one big interconnected system, and what happens upstream eventually finds its way down to us. It’s the kind of problem that can feel overwhelming, but the truth is small, everyday choices add up fast. Refillable water bottles, reusable shopping bags, picking up other people’s rubbish at the beach, supporting businesses that work to reduce harm. None of it feels like much on its own, but multiplied across millions of people, it’s how change happens

What to expect when you step aboard Whale Dreamer

Whale Dreamer has three full levels of walk-around decks, which means plenty of outdoor space for everyone to spread out and get close to the action. Whether you want the front row at the bow, the elevated views from the top deck, or somewhere quiet down the side, there’s a spot on this boat with your name on it.

Inside, the spacious cabin keeps you warm and dry when the wind picks up, with big windows so you never have to take your eyes off the water. She’s been built for comfort, stability and the best possible whale viewing, and her low-impact design means we can share these encounters with the whales in the gentlest way possible.

Whale Dreamer joins our 2026 fleet

She’s joining us in the Spring after a stint in Sydney for the northern migration. It's already shaping up to be one of our best seasons of whale watching on the Sapphire Coast yet. We’re running daily whale watching cruises from Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui from September through November, and we’d love to welcome you aboard.

Book your Sapphire Coast whale watching cruise with us today, and come share the magic of the humpback whale migration with us.

From the deck,

Captain Simon

Looking for the Best Things to Do on the Sapphire Coast?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:02:11 GMT

G’day cruisers,

If you’re in search of the best things to do in the Sapphire Coast , we’ve got something special for you. This spectacular stretch of coastline is known for abundant wildlife and wonderfully wild times on the water. From Eden to Bermagui, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the region, but if you ask us, the real magic begins offshore.

At Sapphire Coastal Adventures, we spend our days exploring this extraordinary part of the world on board our specialised whale watching boats, and we can tell you first-hand that some of the best things to do in the Sapphire Coast are the ones that bring you closer to the ocean. We operate whale watching tours, marine wildlife cruises and fishing charters in Merimbula, Eden and Bermagui, and our mission is to help connect people with nature and inspire them to help preserve and protect it.

One of the most unforgettable experiences in the region is Whale Watching on the Sapphire Coast . Every year, tens of thousands of humpback whales migrate along this coastline from May to November. The Sapphire Coast is especially remarkable because whales don’t just pass through but also rest, nurse calves and feed.

See adults that stretch almost 16 metres long on the move during the northern migration or encounter mothers and calves cruising more slowly on the southern migration. Every journey is different, and that unpredictability is part of the beauty.

Whale Watching Cruises Merimbula

Merimbula whale watching cruises run during the northern migration from May to July and the southern migration from August to early November, with whales often sighted within minutes of departure.

It is also not uncommon to find mothers and calves in Merimbula Bay. That’s a big reason Whale Watching Cruises Merimbula rank so highly among the best things to do in the Sapphire Coast.

Whale Watching Cruises Eden

Eden is described as Australia’s premier whale watching location , and for good reason. Set around spectacular Twofold Bay, Eden combines extraordinary marine life, and deep maritime history into one unforgettable experience.

There’s something special about seeing humpback whales in a place so strongly shaped by the sea.

Whale Watching Cruises Bermagui

Further north, Whale Watching Cruises Bermagui add another brilliant option for visitors exploring the region. Bermagui is a stunning seaside village with a rugged, volcanic coastline and access to rich marine waters near Montague Island and the continental shelf.

The setting is wild and beautiful, and the region is known as a marine hotspot.

Wildlife Cruises Merimbula

Not visiting during whale season? No worries. There are still plenty of incredible things to do on the Sapphire Coast, especially if you love wildlife and coastal scenery. Wildlife Cruises Merimbula running from November to is a fantastic way to explore the region’s marine environment outside the main whale migration months.

Encounter dolphins, seals and seabirds in their natural environment while taking in the stunning beaches and colourful headlands.

Wildlife Cruises Eden

Likewise, Wildlife Cruises Eden are one of the best off-season experiences in the region. The Eden Wildlife Cruises are known for their rare sightings of penguins, turtles, and in Twofold Bay and also takes in historic landmarks such as Boyd’s Tower, Davidson Whaling Station and Edrom Lodge.

That combination of nature, scenery and local history makes Wildlife Cruises Eden one of the most rewarding things to do in Eden.

Fishing Charters Merimbula

For travellers wanting a more hands-on adventure, Fishing Charters Merimbula gives guests the chance to head offshore with an experienced crew to catch a feed of fresh fish. This is one of those classic coastal holiday activities that never goes out of style.

Whether you’re a keen angler or simply want to try something different on your trip, Fishing Charters Merimbula offer a fun and memorable way to connect with the local marine environment.

Why an Ocean Adventure Belongs on Your Sapphire Coast Itinerary

There are countless things to do on the Sapphire Coast, but few compare to the feeling of being out on the water. Whether you choose an exhilarating Whale Watching Cruise or explore our spectacular coastline onboard a Wildlife Cruise , Merimbula, Eden and Bermagui offer the kinds of experiences that stay with you long after you’re back on land.

If you’re visiting during whale season, Sapphire Coastal Adventures offers a whale sighting guarantee on eligible direct whale watching bookings, with a free return cruise offered if whales are not sighted.

We hope to see you this whale seaso n!