Where Do Whales Go After Leaving Sydney?
By the end of November, the whale watching season in Sydney comes to a close. But the journey for the whales is far from over. As the last humpbacks leave our coastal waters, they continue travelling south along the NSW coastline, bound for feeding grounds near Antarctica.
This return journey marks the final leg of the humpback migration. While tours pause over summer, the whales continue their movement, covering thousands of kilometres before eventually making their way back north in the new season.
After breeding in the warmer waters of Queensland and the Coral Sea earlier in the year, humpback whales begin heading south from around September. By the time they reach Sydney, they are often travelling in smaller groups at a more relaxed pace, especially the mothers guiding their newborn calves.
Once they pass Sydney’s headlands, most continue toward the cooler waters of the Southern Ocean, where rich feeding grounds await. These areas, often located off the coast of Antarctica, are packed with krill and other small prey that help the whales regain the energy lost during their months of migration and fasting.
You may notice that later in the season, particularly in October and November, whales appear closer to the shore. This is largely because mothers travelling with calves stay in shallower waters for protection.
The calves are still building strength for the long journey south, so the pace is slower and sightings are often more consistent near the coastline. This is one reason November remains such a special time to go whale watching in Sydney, as these final passes can be calm and memorable.
Sightings throughout the season include a variety of marine life, with species like southern right whales and common dolphins often seen during tours and detailed in Whales in Sydney.
The first signs of the northbound migration usually appear off the NSW coast in May, when the whales begin returning to warmer waters for the next breeding cycle. Sydney is one of the best places in Australia to observe both the northbound and southbound legs of the migration, thanks to its proximity to deep water and sheltered harbour access.
Tours will return in June 2026 as the migration begins again, and planning information will be updated closer to the season. In the meantime, you can explore more about the experience, timing and departure details throughout our website.
Even though whale watching tours have wrapped up for the year, the whales continue on their way. Their journey is a reminder that these seasonal visitors are part of a much larger natural rhythm, one that stretches from the tropics to the Southern Ocean and back again.
We will be ready to welcome them, and you, when they return in 2026.