It is the question we get most often at the booking desk. Not “will we see whales”, but “which cruise should I take, the morning or the afternoon?”
The best time to see whales in Jervis Bay is really about the kind of day you want, because our 10am and 1pm cruises each have their own character. Both run daily through the season. Both put you among the same humpbacks. Here is what our crew would tell you about each.
The 10am cruise
Winter mornings on this coast often start still and glassy, and there is something special about heading out onto flat, quiet water with the light coming up over the bay.
Calm water also makes the whales easier to pick up. A humpback gives itself away with a blow, the misty spout it pushes out when it surfaces, and on a smooth sea you can spot one from a long way off. Fins, fluke prints and the arch of a back all read beautifully on a still morning.
The morning cruise also leaves your whole afternoon free in Huskisson, which is why a lot of day trippers take it.
The 1pm cruise
The afternoon has its own advantages, and plenty of regulars will not take anything else.
- The light. Afternoon sun sitting behind you is lovely for photography, especially with the Beecroft Peninsula cliffs as a backdrop.
- The warmth. The air has had all day to come up, which makes it a very comfortable cruise in the middle of winter.
- The start. Huskisson is about two and a half hours from Sydney and from Canberra. The 1pm lets you drive down at a civilised hour, have lunch in town, and still be on the water the same day.
Either way, our crew are out on this water every single day of the season. They know where the whales have been tracking and where to point the boat, morning or afternoon.
June and July are the peak of the northern migration
Timing your day is one thing. Timing your season matters too, and right now we are in the thick of it.
The northern migration runs May to August. The whales are travelling with purpose, heading for warmer breeding waters, and it is the most powerful stretch of the year to be on the water:
- Steady traffic past the bay, day after day
- Fast, dramatic behaviour: tail slaps, pec slaps, full breaches
- The chance of a heat run, where several males chase a female at speed. It is loud, chaotic and unforgettable
From September the whales come back south with newborn calves and the cruises turn into slower, closer encounters. Both halves of the season are wonderful. They are simply different.
What to bring in winter
It is cooler on the water than it is in the car park, so come prepared and you will be very comfortable.
- A weather jacket or jumper, plus a beanie
- Sunglasses and sunscreen. Winter glare off the water is stronger than people expect
- Drinking water
- A camera with some zoom, if you have one
So what is the best time to see whales in Jervis Bay?
Honestly, whichever one gets you on the boat. The 10am gives you still water and a free afternoon. The 1pm gives you warmth, good light and an easier drive down. Both are two hours out among the migration with a crew who love it.
We depart from the terminal inside Fishermens Wharf, 15 Field Street, Huskisson. Check in 30 minutes before your cruise time.
