Newcastle cruises

Newcastle cruises run on two stretches of water: the open Hunter Coast and Lake Macquarie, the big saltwater lake nearby. Humpback whale watching, sea caves, a guided nature walk and a sunset dinner cruise all leave from different jetties, so it helps to match the trip to where you're staying.

Whale watching cruises from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

Humpback whales pass this coast on their annual migration, and the whale watching cruises run for around two hours during the season, which the listings put between May and November. The Whale Watching Cruise in Newcastle leaves from Dock C at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club in Wickham. The eco-tourism vessel gives unobstructed 360 degree views, and a guide gives marine commentary while you watch for breaching and tail slapping humpbacks.

The Lake Macquarie Whale Watching Cruise is a small group trip from Chalmers Street Jetty in Swansea. It heads through Swansea Channel before going offshore, and long-nosed fur seals and bottlenose or common dolphins are worth watching for along the way. More on the season is on our Newcastle whale watching page.

Coastal and lake adventure tours

When the whales have gone, the same operator, CoastXP, keeps the boats busy. The Newcastle Coastal Adventure Tour runs 30 kilometres down the Hunter Coast in about two and a half hours, past Newcastle Harbour, old World War II coastal forts and surf beaches, to the sea caves at Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay. It's seasonal, listed from November to May.

The Lake Macquarie Ocean Explorer Tour is the short one. It's a 75-minute adventure boat ride from Chalmers Street Jetty to hidden sea caves, Moon Island Nature Reserve and Catherine Hill Bay, with dolphins, seals, turtles, penguins and seabirds all possible sightings.

For something that mixes water and land, the Lake Macquarie Adventure Cruise and Nature Walk takes about four hours. You cruise from Speers Point Public Jetty past Pulbah Island Nature Reserve, step ashore for a guided 2 km walk through the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, and lunch is a grazing box.

A sunset dinner cruise on Lake Macquarie

The Lake Macquarie Sunset Dinner Cruise leaves from Booragul Public Wharf, next to the Lake Macquarie Art Gallery, and runs about two and a half hours while the sun goes down behind the Watagan Mountains. Dinner is a BBQ with local king prawns, scotch fillet steaks, gourmet sausages and salads, followed by a plated dessert. A licensed bar is on board, and it sails on Friday and Saturday evenings, with some midweek dates in the warmer months.

Choosing between the Newcastle cruises

Time and season decide most of it. The Ocean Explorer is the quickest, the nature walk cruise takes most of a morning, and whale watching runs between May and November.

Starting points differ too, so check the departure details on each trip page before you plan the day. If you'd rather stay dry, browse our Newcastle activities or flying experiences.

Frequently asked questions

When can you go whale watching from Newcastle?

The Newcastle whale watching cruises follow the humpback migration, which the listings put between May and November. The Newcastle Coastal Adventure Tour runs from November to May instead.

Where do the Newcastle cruises depart from?

Newcastle cruises depart from four points: Dock C at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club in Wickham, Chalmers Street Jetty in Swansea, Speers Point Public Jetty and Booragul Public Wharf on Lake Macquarie.

Are jackets provided on the Newcastle whale watching cruises?

Yes. The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie whale watching cruises both provide weatherproof jackets, though warm clothing underneath is still recommended.

What if I get seasick on a Newcastle cruise?

The offshore waters off Newcastle are described as generally calm, but the operator suggests that anyone who suffers from sea sickness takes tablets or pressure bands before boarding.

Is there a Newcastle cruise with dinner?

Yes. The Lake Macquarie Sunset Dinner Cruise from Booragul Public Wharf serves a BBQ dinner and a plated dessert, with a licensed bar on board.

Local tip: the sunset dinner cruise sails on Friday and Saturday evenings, so those are the days to stack a morning lake trip before it. Check the morning session runs on your date and you can watch Lake Macquarie go from breakfast light to moonrise.

Whale watching in season, sea caves on the Ocean Explorer and dinner as the sun drops behind the Watagans are the standouts on Newcastle cruises. Pick your jetty, pick your boat, and see you on the water. All good days are waiting.