The Best Whale Watching Worldwide
One of the most whale-loved (pardon the terrible pun) outdoor activities for many travelers is whale watching. Though we absolutely recommend that you book a planned tour, trust us when we say it is worth the effort! At Tripmasters, we have prepared some information for you to help you plan when and where to travel for the best chance at seeing these majestic creatures. Depending on where you go, you may see the mammoth Blue Whale, Humpback Whales, Minke, Pilot, Sei, Fin, or Gray Whales, or everyone’s favorite the Orca (also known as Killer Whales, pictured above). One of the coolest things while on a whale-watching excursion is that you often get to see other marine animals: Dolphins, Sea Lions, Seals, Pelicans, Bald Eagles, and more! So be sure to keep your eyes peeled. It’s like a safari at sea.
Year Round Options: Incredibly, in some places, it is possible to see whales and other popular marine life year-round. While you may still choose to travel during a specific season to leverage the best weather, these destinations are known for whale watching throughout the year! What is more incredible is that often you can see whales from the shore in these places because their waters are so hospitable, though we still urge you to use the activities links on the following pages to book a tour because getting up close and personal with these beautiful animals is a joy!
Winter (December through March): Winter is one of the best times to see whales! Conversely, summer is also a great option, but we will get there next. The reason is that so many whales are migrating during the typical winter months, moving towards more tropical waters. Of course, there are over 80 species of whales, and not all of them follow this same pattern. However, during these months, we suggest the following places to catch the migration of Humpback Whales, Gray Whales, Blue Whales, and Orcas. Fun fact: Tofino (British Columbia), Canada sees great Grey Whales in both March (as they head back towards cooler water) and in October as they begin to migrate south in search of warmer seas. If you choose to check out Tofino, go in March when the town hosts the Pacific Rim Whale Festival.
Summer (July through September): The summer months present the next best opportunity for whale watching across multiple places around the world. Summer is, again, when whales are migrating from much warmer seas near the equator to cooler waters in the reaches of the north and south. This means the weather is probably going to be a bit cooler for you too, even if it is summer (believe us, being out on those boats to catch glimpses of whales can get windy!).
Spring (April through June) and Fall (September through December): Of course, not all whale pods move at the same pace or the same time as others. Where one group may pick up and move north at the slightest increase in water temperatures during the summer, others might wait. Pods travel together and may be in close connection with other pods, but that doesn’t mean separate pods will always migrate when their friends do! That’s why in some places there is so much overlap. For example, as mentioned above in Cape Cod, peak whale season happens to be summer, though it is possible to see them as early as April and as late as November. Here are some additional places where you can catch whales in the “off-season.”
We hope you have enjoyed learning a bit about where you can visit to see whales! They truly are incredible creatures, along with their mammal cousins the dolphin and porpoises, which you can often see alongside the monster whales during migration! But you won’t be disappointed by the wildlife you encounter during a whale-watching excursion. If you need more inspiration, check out our pages for Whale Watching in the Northeast and Whale Watching on the West Coast. If eco-friendly travel options, zoos, aquariums, and other animal adventures are your thing, see the additional pages below for more, more, more!!! Then book your trip with Tripmasters and add on expert-guided tours and excursions from the activities links on each page (where available). We can’t wait to help you discover the world.
