When is whale-watching season in Jervis Bay, NSW?

Whale-watching season in Jervis Bay, NSW, varies depending on the migration patterns of the humpback whales. But a good rule of thumb is from mid-May to mid-November.

Whale-watching in Jervis Bay?

Jervis Bay on the south coast of New South Wales is one of many places on the east coast of Australia where you can go whale-watching.

To skip the explanation and book a Jervis Bay whale-watching cruise, head this way.

What species of whale can I see in Jervis Bay, NSW?

As on most of the east coast, the whales you can see in Jervis Bay are humpback whales. Every year, they migrate up the coast to their breeding grounds in the north, then come back south again once the waters in the south get warmer.

You can’t, however, see whales in Jervis Bay all year round. There is a limited whale-watching season, based around the migration times of the humpbacks.

6 Jervis Bay experiences worth booking now

See the dolphins and lounge above the water on a dolphin cruise with boom netting.
Explore the beaches, spotting wildlife on the way, with a sea kayaking tour.
Watch sunset on the beach, then explore the heavens with an astrophysicist on an evening stargazing experience.
Admire the migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
Try cycling on the sand on a Culburra Beach fat-biking tour.
Discover the lesser-visited hideaways on a hidden secrets cruise.

When is Jervis Bay’s whale-watching season?

The main whale-watching operator in Jervis Bay is Jervis Bay Wild. For most of the year, this operator runs dolphin-watching tours. But during whale-watching season, the boats are put to use doing whale-watching cruises.

Jervis Bay Wild runs whale-watching cruises in Jervis Bay between mid-May and mid-November. That’s a good enough rule of thumb for when the whale-watching season is, too.

Whale-watching season in Jervis Bay is from mid-May to mid-November.

When is the best time to see whales in Jervis Bay, NSW?

Whale sightings towards the beginning and end of the season can be a little bit patchy. So, for your best chance of seeing migrating humpbacks in Jervis Bay, aim for mid-June to mid-October.

How much do Jervis Bay whale-watching tours cost?

At the time of writing, Jervis Bay whale-watching tours cost $69 per person. The cruises last two hours and advance booking is strongly advised. Tours depart from Huskisson, and should be booked here.

Jervis Bay is also one of the best places in Australia to see dolphins. Dolphin watching cruises can be booked here.

Other things to do in Jervis Bay include sea kayaking tours, star-gazing experiences and fat biking tours.

While in Jervis Bay, you can take the Husky Ferry to Callala Beach in Myola, or Greenfield Beach and Blenheim Beach in Vincentia, just the other side of Moona Moona Creek from Huskisson. You can also go into the Jervis Bay Territory and enjoy the likes of Iluka Beach, Green Patch, Cave Beach and Murrays Beach.