JERVIS BAY WHALE WATCHING & DOLPHIN CRUISES
Dolphin Tour
See our resident Bottlenose Dolphins that live in Jervis Bay Marine Park, all year round, in some of the cleanest, clear water in the world.
The South Coast Passage
Jervis Bay Passage Tour
Breathtaking natural beauty fringed by spectacular national parks of long beaches, with the finest white sands in the world.
Kayaks, Canoes, SUP Board Tours
Whale Cruise
Witness the majestic beauty of our migrating Humpback Whales. A life changing experience set against rugged cliffs and ancient sea caves.
Private Tours
Summer Boom Netting
See our resident Bottlenose Dolphins, spectacular sea cliffs and enjoy the adrenalin rush of boom netting along unspoiled white beaches.
Portside Cafe
Jervis Bay Wild offers a range of breathtaking Whale Watching & Dolphin cruise options for you, your family and your friends to enjoy all year-round. Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching with us in beautiful Jervis Bay is a fantastic way to experience the excitement of pure nature like never before. We also offer other awesome activities throughout the year, which can be found below or on our Cruise Options page.
Jervis Bay Dolphin Cruises
One of our most popular tours, our Dolphin cruise (Dolphin Tour) is offered year round. Within beautiful Jervis Bay you’ll encounter countless bottlenose Dolphins, happy to play beside our boat and show off their swimming prowess. Our Dolphin cruises will get you up close to the Dolphins in their natural habitat, while also showcasing the serene nature of the Jervis Bay Marine Park. Your 1.5 hour Dolphin cruise takes you through sparkling, clear waters and past sandy white beaches. Bottlenose Dolphins are an incredible species of Dolphin, known for their constant “smile.” These Dolphins generally travel in small groups, or pods, and it is a breathtaking site to catch a glimpse of these sleek and agile creatures as they dive, jump, and swim through the bay waters. On your Dolphin cruise, you’ll see the graceful Dolphins as they are happy to swim close to our boat, racing each other at speeds of up to 37 km/hr.
Jervis Bay Whale Watching
Humpback Whales are famous for their extensive migrations- the longest of nearly any animal species. Because the baby Whales require warmer waters to grow safely, the Whales in the Southern Hemisphere move north in the winter time. During these months they pass both north and south, giving us the perfect chance to catch a glimpse of their lengthy journey on a Whale watching cruise. Between May and November each year, superb Whale watching is to be had on our Whale Cruises. This 2 hour tour offers an unforgettable experience as you spot the majestic migration of humpback Whales through Jervis Bay. The Whale watching adventure takes you past glorious cliffs at Point Perpendicular and stops by a natural lagoon known as Honeymoon Bay. If you’re lucky enough to visit the area in October or November, your Whale watching experience may include some unique sightings of female humpbacks nursing their young in the bay.
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What to Know Before You Book Your Cruise:
What will I see on the tour of Jervis Bay?
Our famous Dolphin cruise introduces you to our resident bottlenose Dolphin colony, which numbers between 80 & 90 members throughout the year. You’ll see the Dolphins leaping through the clear ocean waters and swimming right alongside our vessel, Port Venture. In addition to the Dolphins, you’ll see other wildlife living, hunting, and playing in their natural habitat, and you will have the opportunity to see many stunning scenic areas of the bay.
How long does the Dolphin cruise last?
Your cruise with us lasts for approximately 1.5 hours. You should arrive 15 minutes prior to departure to ensure for a timely embarking. Our Dolphin cruises set out daily all year long, setting off at 10:30am and 1pm each day.
What should I bring on the Dolphin cruise?
You don’t need to bring along much when you cruise with us at Jervis Bay Wild. We provide you with spray jackets to keep you dry, but it can get chilly out on the water, so we suggest you pack a light jacket. Bottled water is recommended to keep you hydrated under the bright Australian sun, and don’t forget your camera, to capture every unforgettable moment during your Dolphin tour. Most of all, bring along your sense of adventure!
Did you know?
- Bottlenose Dolphins develop a “signature whistle” when they are young to help identify them–much like our first names!
- Bottlenose Dolphins can stay underwater for as long as 15 minutes and can dive to depths of up to 260m.
- The human brain weighs roughly 1200 grams, but the Dolphin brain weighs up to 1600 grams. This may account for their unique intelligence in the animal kingdom.
- Bottlenose Dolphins can swim as fast as 32 km/hour, but typically move at more moderate speeds of around 7-12 km/hour.
- When baby Dolphins are born, their mothers will bring them quickly to the surface to take their first breath. The young bottlenose Dolphin will remain alongside the mother until it reaches the age of 3-8 years.
A Whale watching trip is one of the best adventures to be had in Jervis Bay. During the winter months, Humpback Whales visit our region during their yearly migrations.
Why do the Humpback Whales visit Jervis Bay?
Humpback Whales travel from the cold arctic waters of the Southern Hemisphere, north, towards warmer oceans for breeding and birthing their young. The Whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any animal in the wild. Moving into the more temperate waters, the Humpback Whales pass through the waters off the South Coast and lucky Whale watchers can catch sight of these awesome creatures.
When is the best time of year for Whale watching?
Whale watching occurs during the months of May through November, the cooler months in southeast Australia’s climate. During this period, Whales may be spotted at any time, but their migration patterns fluctuate naturally. Typically, October and November is prime time for a Whale cruise, as mother humpbacks nurse their young Whales in the waters of Honeymoon Bay.
How long does the Whale cruise last?
You’ll spend two fun-filled hours aboard our boat on your Whale watching journey. Departing twice daily at 10:30am and 1pm, you should be ready to go at the cruise terminal approximately 15 minutes before your tour is set to leave.
What should I expect to see on my Whale watching trip of Jervis Bay?
We have a great spotting record, so the chance of seeing Whales on your cruise is extremely high. You’ll observe Whales swimming and breaching, blowing water from their spouts, and maybe even leaping and turning in the air. It’s a thrilling experience to watch the Whales at play. In late winter/early spring, you are also likely to spot baby Whales keeping close to their mothers. In addition to the incredible Whales and other wildlife, you’ll enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of Jervis Bay. The Whale watching tour carries you throughout the entirety of the bay, and you’ll pass pristine white beaches, visit the gorgeous lagoon of Honeymoon Bay, and travel alongside Point Perpendicular’s towering cliffs.
Did you know?
- The humpback Whale can weigh as much as 48 tonnes and grow to lengths of up to 15 metres.
- Humpback Whales live and travel in massive colonies known as pods, sometimes with as many as 20,000 Whales!
- While human beings breathe naturally and instinctively, humpback Whales must “remember” to do so. Some scientists believe that Whales sleep (and still breathe) by effectively “turning off” half of their brain at a time.
- As Whales migrate, they travel at only around 2 km/hour, adopting a leisurely pace and socialising with one another as they go.