Whale Watching Cruises

Whale watching in Eden,

Merimbula and Bermagui

Experience one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles on the planet.

Tens of thousands of humpback whales visit Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui each year on their annual journey to Antarctica. One of the best things to do in the Sapphire Coast is to witness this migration along our beautiful coastline.

Our cruises

Whale watching cruises commence in May and run until mid-late November. Cruises depart from Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui and you can be among the pods within minutes of leaving port.

Encounter the incredible

Every year, more than 45,000 humpback whales migrate along the Sapphire Coast, passing Narooma, Bermagui, Tathra, Merimbula and Eden on their annual journey between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef, making this region one of the best locations for whale watching in Australia.

During summer, humpback whales feed in the nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica. In late autumn, they begin their northern migration to the warmer tropical waters of the Pacific, before returning south in spring. The exact timing of the migration can vary each year depending on environmental conditions.

Humpback whales travel along the Sapphire Coast from May to November, with whale watching cruises in Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui offering incredible viewing opportunities. In addition to humpback whales, we often see southern right whales, minke whales, Bryde’s whales and blue whales, along with common and bottlenose dolphins, orca, Australian fur seals, penguins, flying fish, sunfish, turtles and many species of seabirds.

No two whale watching or wildlife cruise experiences on the Sapphire Coast are ever the same.

May - July

Northern Migration

We begin seeing humpback whales in May as they travel north to their breeding and calving grounds in the warm waters of northern Queensland. At this time of year, the whales are fat and full of energy from their summer feeding upon krill down in Antarctica.

The whales tend to travel out a little wider during the northern migration, however we have noticed that as the whale population has increased over the years, we are seeing an ever-increasing number of whales travelling closer to the coast.

In early winter we can sometimes be lucky enough to spot endangered southern right whales, often travelling with a calf in tow.

August - November

Southern Migration

The southern migration begins in August as humpback whales begin to return south as they travel back towards Antarctica. Groups of juveniles and sub-adults typically lead the migration, whilst pregnant mothers and mother-calf pairs bring up the rear. Adult breeding animals form the bulk of the migration in the middle stages.

During August and September, humpback whales can be sighted feeding in our abundant waters. In fact, the Sapphire Coast is one of the only locations where whales stop to feed on their migratory route. We often do not need to travel far to find large pods lateral and lunge feeding, and in 2020 and 2021 we also observed whales 'bubblenet' feeding. Being in the midst of a pod of feeding whales is a phenomenon few get to experience and one that you will remember for life.

From late September to late November, we see mothers bringing their new season calves back down the coast. These young calves are energetic and playful. It is simply beautiful and awesome to watch a mother teaching her young calf how to be a humpback whale - how to breach, how to tail slap, how to become one of the acrobats of the sea!

Whale Sighting Guarantee*

Joining a wildlife tour never has any guarantees, however you can trust our expert crew to do their best to find whales on all of our whale watching tours. The following applies to all whale watching tickets purchased directly from Sapphire Coastal Adventures.

If whales are not sighted on your cruise, you will be offered a free return whale watching cruise. This offer is valid for the current and following season.

If your booking is made through a third-party agent then the terms of the ticket apply.

Meet your crew

Our mission is to help you connect with the ocean. Our experienced and dedicated team are here to ensure you safely enjoy every minute of your journey and see our beautiful coastline and marine life from the best possible perspective.

Wildlife Cruises

One of the best things to do in the whale off-peak season is to embark on a marine wildlife cruise or fishing charter in Merimbula and Eden (November to May).