Port Stephens Whale Watching: Your 2026 Guide

Each year, up to 40,000 humpback whales travel past the Port Stephens coastline during their annual migration, making this one of the best whale watching destinations in Australia. The 2026 whale watching season runs from May to November, with daily cruise departures from d'Albora Marina in Nelson Bay.

Humpback whales are the stars of the show. These extraordinary animals are famous for their acrobatic displays launching their massive bodies from the water in full breaches, rolling with their fins outstretched and their tails slapping. 

Whether you want to get out on the water aboard a dedicated whale watching cruise, or prefer to scan the horizon from a clifftop lookout, Port Stephens has you covered.

When is the best time to see whales in Port Stephens?

The whale watching season spans six months, but different times offer different experiences:

May–July: Active, playful adult humpbacks heading north. High energy displays and breaching are common.
September–November: Whales return south, now with newborn calves. This is the best time to spot mothers and babies travelling together.

Peak season weekends book out fast, especially on-water cruises. Book your cruise in advance to avoid missing out.

Whale Watching Cruises from Nelson Bay

Getting out on the water gives you the closest encounter with these magnificent creatures. All whale watching cruises depart daily from d'Albora Marina, Nelson Bay, with morning and afternoon departures.

Moonshadow-TQC Cruises with over 40 years experience and some of the largest vessels in Port Stephens will get you close to the whale action. Their 2.5-hour whale watching cruise departs daily at 10am and 1:30pm throughout the season. Spacious viewing decks make it easy to watch as humpbacks roll, breach, and slap their way along the "Humpback Highway." You'll likely spot resident dolphins and fur seals along the way too.

Image: Moonshadow-TQC Cruises

Alternatively, set sail aboard a 16-metre-long catamaran with the friendly and knowledgeable crew from Imagine Cruises. Witness the whales as they migrate past the outer islands of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and flocks of oceanic sea birds.

Image: Imagine Cruises

Aquamarine Adventures offer a "Whale Watching Express" trip which takes 90 minutes. Head straight out to the whales, making for less time travelling out, and more time with these incredible animals! Lookout for dolphins and pay a visit to the Fur Seals and watch as they laze on the rocks at Cabbage Tree Island. This shorter boat trip is ideal for people short on time and who like smaller groups. Envision holds just 22 people, so it feels more like a private adventure.

Image: Aquamarine Adventures

Land-Based Whale Watching Lookouts & Activities

Port Stephens has some of the finest free headland vantage points on the NSW coast. Bring binoculars, look for the tell-tale "blow" (water spout), and watch for tail slaps, pec slaps, and full breaches.

Tomaree Head Summit Walk, Shoal Bay

A beautiful walk in its own right, and once you reach the top you’ll have 360-degree views to spot the whales swimming by. Follow the track amongst gums and natural bushland, where you’ll start to catch idyllic views as you wind your way to the top. Tomaree Head Summit Walk is the ultimate whale watching lookout with 2 viewing platforms and a picnic table where you can sit and soak up the view. Don’t forget the camera and binoculars!

Barry Park Lookout, Fingal Bay

Head to the end of Marine Drive at Fingal Bay and you'll discover Barry Park with a purpose-built whale watching platform. There are benches on the headland and an easy well-signed boardwalk track which will take you around the headland. Take a thermos, a snack and a set of binoculars and keep your eyes peeled on the horizon. Barry Park also lines up with the Tomaree Coastal Walk, a stunning multi-day trail that hugs the coastline of Port Stephens, passing some of the best elevated whale watching vantage points in the region. If you're visiting during whale season, even tackling a short section of the trail is well worth it for the views alone.

d'Albora Marina Whale Explorer Map, Nelson Bay 

A brilliant school holiday activity for families. Head into d'Albora Marina Nelson Bay and pick up a free physical Whale Explorer Map, then follow the self-guided route around the waterfront ticking off whale watching points and discovering fun facts along the way. Make a day out of it and explore the strip of restaurants, cafes, and shops before heading out on a whale-watching cruise. 

Boat Harbour Headland

A local favourite just 15 minutes from Nelson Bay. Head to the end of Noamunga Street, Boat Harbour, where a short walk from the car park brings you to a rocky platform with sweeping coastal views and a prime spot for scanning the horizon for passing humpbacks. For families, the nearby Boat Harbour Whale Watching Path is a lovely signed trail through the bush with whale-themed markers along the way making it a fun way to keep the kids engaged while you keep your eyes on the ocean.

Birubi Beach and Birubi Point, Anna Bay

One of the most scenic whale watching spots in Port Stephens. Birubi Beach stretches out before a breathtaking backdrop of the Worimi Conservation Lands - Australia's largest moving sand dunes rolling down to meet the sea. Walk along the beach and around the rocky headland to find your vantage point, and keep your eyes peeled for humpbacks cruising past. A truly stunning spot at any time of year, but utterly magical during whale season.