10 of the best whale watching destinations in the world

Diving is a long contemplation of the seabed, but it is also observing one’s own silence to discover hidden beauties. Seeing his whale is a spiritual journey because if Moby Dick was a vengeful whale, all the others are of rare sweetness and we must free Willy! Observing whales in their natural habitat is more than a dream, it is a dreamlike reality that does not touch only the privileged … Admiring cetaceans can be done in the four corners of the world because our planet is full of wonders that we have left to discover. We invite you to discover 10 splendid spots to observe the whales so welcome to our marine matrix!

1.South Africa

South Africa and especially Hermanus is one of the most impressive and cheapest spots! Without a boat you can admire whales from the coast without leaving the mainland ground. Walker Bay is a spot at the tip of South Africa, you can see kilometers of rocky cliffs allowing you to see right whales only present in the southern hemisphere.

Preferred period : June to December.

2. Patagonia

Patagonia is not only the land of giants with big feet according to legend, it is a country made of landscapes of beauty. Right whales, sea lions and penguins coexist in peaceful waters and particularly on the peninsula of Valdès. It is possible to observe whales on the Pacific coast of South America Ecuador, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru. Colombia is a spot to favor because if they are specialists in the culture of coffee and other illicit plants, whales do not sulk this splendid spot. Studies show that their fertility rate is among the highest in the world because the tourist pressure is lower, a magnificent vision of uninhibited whales.

Preferred period : from June to December, the breeding season is from July to October among the best spots the port of Buenaventura.

3.Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the most unspoiled spots in the world, you can see humpback whales between January and February. Most species feel so good that every year from November to April, thousands mate, especially on the island of Maui.

Preferred period : To meet the humpback whales aboard your sailboat the best time will be between January and February.

4. Alaska

How not to succumb to the desire to watch whales from your Kayak, Alaska is a paradise on sea for gray whales, orcas and humpback whales. Excursions from Seward and Valdez are organized as Gray Whales migrate between the many islands on the southeast coast of Alaska. If you want to see Minke whales create an underwater cyclone to hunt schoals of fish, you will see a show of pure force! The beauty of the Fjords and the deep waters will take your breath away, but if you are keen to see humpback whales migrating into crystal clear waters, summer is the most beautiful time.

Preferred period : The ideal period for observation begins in May and ends in September.

5. Quebec and more specifically the St. Lawrence Estuary

Who would think that whale watching in Quebec could be a beautiful sight? To observe whales or belugas, this place as well as Canada and Vancouver Island are prime observation spots. Tadoussac is the Eden of whales, watching them is one of the flagship activities of the region: splendid!

Preferred period : July-August.

6.The Dominican Republic: Samana

Before swimming in warm waters and relaxing, whales travel more than 5,000 kilometers across the Bahamas, Dominica and Guadeloupe. Yet it is in the Dominican Republic in Samana Bay that the humpbacked whales find strength to impress the females after their long journey … Yes if you think that the female humpback is the kind to mess with anybody comes along you are wrong ! To seduce it looping and jumping cats will be necessary … Samana is the largest whale watching site in the Caribbean, if chilly whales leave Canada to bathe in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea it is to breed. In these warm waters hundreds of humpback whales will give birth to their young baby usually from mid-January to mid-March. Samana is the birthing matron, the place where whale mothers give birth to their babies born of effort and comfort.

Preferred period : from January to March.

7. Iceland

Seeing whales often seems to be a distant dream literally and figuratively, and yet your goal can easily be achieved if you go on a visit to see Björk in Iceland. Reykjavik, Husavik, Hafnafjordur, Reykjanes, Vestmann Islands are places with exceptionally rare shows. To observe the famous blue whale, whales, sperm whales, killer whales and porpoises but especially the humpback whale, the pilot whales or the whales of Minke will not be any more an optical illusion. Thanks to boat trips in fjords, you can admire them on excursions. This exceptional country and these fish-rich waters are rich in plankton and krill essential for their survival, and attract nearly 23 species of whales! For centuries whaling has been practiced in Iceland but the tourism of the beauty is the new deal !

Favorite period : an incredibly bright summer, but the favorable waters make it possible to see them from April to October.

8. The best European spots

It is quite possible to see whales in Europe, I decided to summer every options :

Canary Islands

In the waters of La Gomera and Tenerife, 28 species of cetaceans swim in the Atlantic currents, you will also find sperm whales: many trips to the sea are organized to observe the whales off the coast.

Portugal : the Azores

The Azores archipelago is one of the places to go if you want to see the whales and their procession of dolphins. Its strategic position in the center of the Atlantic is most advantageous because many species thrive there. Sperm whales, fin whales and bottlenose whales, blue whales seem to have found a complete pantry …

Favorite period : you can admire these marine species from May to October, especially near the islands of Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge.

Mallorca

In the heart of the Balearic Islands there are 21 species of cetaceans: dolphins and whales will therefore be faithful to the position. It is possible to see them all year, so book your diving trip as soon as possible to see them as soon as possible!

9. New Zealand: Kai Koura

There is no more beautiful place in the world for watching sperm whale than in Kai Koura. This whale with its original shape is 18 meters long and weighs 50 tons … This show will be unique for your eyes amazed because the sperm whale is often accompanied by its procession of dolphins, sea lions and birds of all kinds.

Preferred period : June and July.

10. In Australia

It is possible to see whales on the south and east coasts of Australia. Particularly recognizable as they migrate to Antarctica, 3 whales stand out from their species: the Southern Right Whale, the Humpback Whale and the Minke Whale are the most common. Brisbane is one of the famous spots because you can admire hundreds of humpback whales, Albany is also a place of beauty.
Australia is notorious for its whale cemetery, this event known since ancient times has grown in recent years. The ecosystem and the malnutrition are probably the reasons for this “collective suicide” To see whales fail on the coast is not the spectacle of your dreams, so to see these wild animals you will have to show respect and observe distances of security.

Preferred period : between May and October.

Tips for a sublime journey

There is no need to go around the world on a catamaran to see the great ladies of the seabed, each month of the year can be an opportunity to meet nature if overfishing does not decimate a species on the way ’extinction. Let’s be silent, contemplative and admiring of the beauty that is offered to us as long as it exists!

Written by Florence Fifi