These cruises operate in the morning and afternoon and have had a 99% success rate at spotting whales. Some of the marine mammals you should look out for when whale watching include: Seals: Fascinating social animals that can be found up and down the NSW coast. - Klook Malaysia Male juvenile whales will form bachelor pods and leave their original pod. An exciting range of lunch and dinner cruises on Sydney Harbour 26 January. We were able to see many whales during our experience.One thing which could be improved was better communication about where to meet for the cruise as there are two check-in offices. This allowed onlookers to photograph and watch the whales, whilst allowing them to swim where they liked and be left relatively undisturbed. In November 2007, a female humpback whale and her calf paid a short visit to the harbour. When brought down onto the water from the extended position they create a forceful splash which can be heard from quite a distance, both above and below the surface. Calm seas … We recommend you eat lightly before and during the cruise. With the onset of winter, Captain Cook commences its whale watching cruises to give guests the opportunity to catch these majestic mammals in action as they migrate from the south in search of warmer climes. An aggressor can cock its tail up in the air and then bring it down heavily on an opponent in a disagreement over territory. It took another 90 years before they were announced officially protected. Whale watching cruises will operate from Saturday 16 May through to Sunday 01 November, 2015. This movement is a sure sign that the creature could become aggressive. Pec Slapping great job!Product: The weather was perfect and we saw whales. For a flexible harbour sightseeing option, select a 1 or 2-day ferry pass allowing you to hop on and off at famous harbourside attractions including Circular Quay, Manly, Watsons Bay, Shark Island and Taronga Zoo. It was fantastic to get back on the water after a late start to the season to see the majestic whales on their annual migration. Humpback whales have a small dorsal fin located nearly two-thirds of the way down their back, and their backs steeply arch as they dive – this is how the humpback got its name and it helps whale watchers distinguish them from other species. Most humpback whales make exceptionally long journeys every year between their feeding and breeding sites. Increasing visits We did the afternoon cruise and was lucky enough to have still waters and plenty of whales around! Southern Rights’ have an enormous head which makes up one quarter of their total body length. Adult whales In the adult stage, whales of both genders start searching for mates with whom to breed. Bryde’s whale Travel sickness tablets are generally most effective if taken prior to the cruise. Lobtailing or tail slapping and fin slapping These whales have all been subject to considerable human exploitation. Our unique Harbour Experience cruise helps to bring to life the unique stories of Sydney through smart mobile commentary of the people, places and the events that have made Sydney harbour the most beautiful and exciting natural harbour in the world. Karen, NSW. Early settlers recognised the importance of whales to the economy and quickly established shore-based whaling stations on the northern side of Sydney Harbour and on the far south coast of NSW. However, the IUCN also recommends ongoing monitoring of the impact that the expected rise in Arctic temperatures have on minke whales in that region. The Southern Right whale is a baleen whale and one of 3 species classified as right whales. Good safety. On this cruise, you can listen to the stories of Sydney while cradling a glass of sparkling or your favourite wine. The Odontoceti include beaked whales, bottlenose whales and dolphins. The degree of intelligence of whales and porpoises is still to be determined however, their sophisticated behaviour and ability to learn suggest they have a capacity for complex thinking. Whale research   Rorquals – Norwegian for “furrowed whale” – have a number of longitudinal folds of skin running from below the mouth back to the navel. To ensure speedy and efficient check-in, please ensure you have completed the Passenger Contact form prior to arrival as this is a legal requirement of all open water cruises in case of emergency - submit online or download the form here & return by email to [email protected] after you have made your booking. 10 Oct. Our Family really enjoyed the afternoon sailing off the coast of Sydney and seeing the many whales, some quite close. They are carnivorous and opportunistic hunters who feed on a wide range of species including: Orcas hunt in groups (pods) of 3 to 40 individuals using highly effective, cooperative hunting techniques, which is why they have the nickname ‘wolves of the sea’. Nice and friendly crew, loved their enthusiasm! It is not known how many of these whales inhabit Australian waters, but extraordinarily, a Bryde’s whale swam up the Manning River near Taree, in Northern NSW in 2004. Very close to an inquisitive whale. This is an open water cruise and you will experience sea motion. Not crowded. Up to 3 hour cruise. Whales in Australian waters Captain Cook Cruises: Whale Watching - See 2,607 traveler reviews, 1,385 candid photos, and great deals for Sydney, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The cruise takes approximately 80 minutes and departs regularly throughout the day from Circular Quay between 9:30am and 3:00pm. They breath air, give birth to live young and suckle their calves through mammary glands. In NSW, the strap-toothed beaked whale is one of the most commonly stranded species of beaked whales. This ensures that when they return the next year, their calves will be born in more temperate conditions. WHALE watching is back in Sydney and Captain Cook Cruises is making a splash, offering huge savings. There has long been an association between the Aboriginal people along the coast and whales. Good views up top. Whale life cycle   These animals spend winters in temperate and subtropical areas and travel to polar regions for summer. Whales sighted: 7 | 3 pods: 2x adults; 3x adults, 1x calf; 1x adult. Bottlenose dolphins are a relatively common site along the entire NSW coastline. A perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. An estimated 12,000 southern right whales are spread throughout the southern hemisphere, compared to an original population before whaling of more than 100,000. Some of these rock engravings and paintings are estimated to be over 1000 years old. Service: Great boat trip, excellent guid with good explanation and funny too. Whaling of southern right whales The adage ‘people make a place’ is also more relevant in Sydney than anywhere else in the country. The starboard side is usually closest to the shore and the port side closest to the harbour action. Head Lunge Marine turtles: 6 of the 7 species of marine turtles found in the world can be found in Australian waters, Sea and Shore birds: These birds spend most of their life feeding and breeding in the marine environment, GOLD DINNER - Food, service and atmosphere beyond expectations. It is believed the worldwide population of the blue whale is estimated between 10,000 and 25,000, and are currently considered an endangered species. Pre-purchase your entry to any of Sydney's attractions and beat the queue when you arrive. Toothed whales tend to eat squid, octopus, crustaceans, fish and occasionally other marine mammals. Are seats assigned? Will I get seasick? The arrival of industrial whaling using faster boats and harpoon guns allowed for increased hunting on blue whales, and by the 1960s the species was nearly extinct. On this cruise, you can listen to the stories of Sydney while cradling a glass of sparkling or your favourite wine. They are not migratory, but are known to move between inshore to offshore waters to follow food. Special payment and cancellation conditions apply to all special offers and special events. If purchased through an agent, please refer to the agent’s terms &conditions. We did the afternoon cruise and was lucky enough to have still waters and plenty of whales around! Book online now. Overall a great experience. This behaviour is rare but could be to do with feeding, as a calf is often seen bobbing around its mother's tail at this time. The callosities on the head are made of hard material, similar to human finger-nails, which appear white due to large colonies of whale lice called cyamids. Luxury awaits. Dolphins can sometimes become stranded, either alone or in groups. These days, southern right whales delight whale watchers with their peculiar looks and crowd attracting antics, like breaching and headstands. Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast, and Port Stephens on the NSW Mid North Coast are wo of the best places to see dolphins. In fact some whales are so elusive that the only information we have about them comes from when they become stranded. Whales have been entering Sydney Harbour for centuries. In these situations we are required to slow down gradually, stop and wait until the animal moves beyond the approach zone. They have an average length of 12 metres, and the female is longer than the male. Its the moments in between that make the cruise truly special. Baleen whales will wean their calves by their first summer when they are less than a year old, while toothed whales take up to 3 years to be completely weaned. The gestation period in most whale species is 11 to 16 months. Great experience, would definitely go again next season! Adolescent whales Pectoral Stroking Let people know to bring own snacks and drinks. Orcas have 10 to 12 pairs of interlocking, powerful, conical teeth in both jaws. Blue whales have greyish blue skin with white spots and a small dorsal fin set far back on their body. This however does not stop whales from taking matters into their own hands for a close look of us! Once extended, the fins can be waved about. This can be heard for great distances by others and is probably associated with marking position. Breaching Often referred to as the gentle giants of the sea, they capture our fascination like few other animals. All whale watching cruises include expert commentary from marine specialists with a passion for whales. Beaked whales are highly specialised to dive to great depths and remain submerged for prolonged periods—20 to 30 minutes is common, and 85 minute dives have even been recorded. This species is distinguished from others by: The Southern Right whales has very dark grey or black skin, with occasional white patches on the belly. Songs Ongoing research may identify new species based on genetic information. Our unique Harbour Experience cruise helps to bring to life the unique stories of Sydney through smart mobile commentary of the people, places and the events that have made Sydney harbour the most beautiful and exciting natural harbour in the world. In late autumn they begin an annual migratory route to their winter breeding and calving grounds in the warmer tropical waters of the Pacific. What to bring Dolphins are second only to humans in intelligence. In June and July these majestic marine mammals migrate north for breeding before returning south with their calves from September to November. To the delight of passengers, whales and dolphins often approach the vessel. Our whale watching cruise will take guests into the open water and outside the heads where you may become affected by motion sickness. Breeding will often take place seasonally in migrating species but in others it seems to occur throughout the year. These whales can weigh 12 to 20 tonnes. The dorsal-finned rorquals include the largest animal on earth, the blue whale, which can grow up to 34m in length. Bookings can be confirmed 24 hours prior, subject to availability. Cruises are subject to cancellation due to weather and other operational requirements. So, there is really no need to fight and rush to get those upper seats when actually you will get the better view and close up look of whales from the lower deck. But no one really knows exactly why – yet. Other rorquals that can be found in coastal Australian waters are the fin, sei, Bryde’s and minke whales. When a whale breaks the surface and falls forward instead of backward the action is called a head lunge. They adopt a single blowhole on the top of the head, which was formed from one of the nostrils becoming dominant over the other, rather than from them fusing together. Size wise, beaked whales range from 4 to 13 metres in length and can weigh from 1 to 15 tonnes. Rock engravings and contemporary stories show the strong relationship between local Aboriginal people, whales and The Dreaming. 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