From the playful humpbacks to the giant blue Whales to the Killer Orcas, an encounter with majestic whales is undoubtedly an exhilarating experience There are around 90 species of whales spread across the oceans of the world. The massive beasts are always on the move through oceans, as they travel around the world to breed and feed. They migrate further than any other creature on Earth in search of food and warmer currents. Contrary to popular belief, the whales are not as elusive as you think.  They can be found in every ocean in the world and you can go whale watching in every country with a decent coastline. A whale-watching spot may be closer than you think. However, there are some locations where chances of sightings the whales are very high as the gigantic creatures come closer to the shore.

Each whale species has its preferred region depending on access to food and feeding habits. The gentle animals emerge in different parts of the world in different seasons, so you have to keep that in mind. Don’t waste your time visiting places where whales are rarely seen or are exploited for tourism.  Book with a reputable and licensed tour agency that knows the area and respects the whales and their space. Make sure that the trip adheres to ethical guidelines as increased human interference can disrupt the activities and cause stress to the gentle animals. If you are the ones that long to see these beautiful mammals in their natural habitats, here is the list of whale-watching hotspots around the globe.

PS: The Killer Whale or Orca actually belongs to the dolphin family. They were named ‘killer whales’ by ancient sailors as they were seen hunting and eating other whale species.  They are very powerful and can grow up to 32 feet long. So, while orca is technically not a whale, they have lots of characteristics that are common with whales. So, it is clubbed with the whales and called Killer whale. We have included Orca in our list.

1.  SOUTH AFRICA, AFRICA

Where in South Africa?
Hermanus (Western Cape)

When to go?
June to November with peak sightings during September and October.

Whales you can see?
Southern right whales, Bryde’s whales, Humpbacks

Why is Hermanus one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
Hermanus offers some of the best shore-based whale watching. There is no need to set foot on a boat to see the magnificent creatures. You can watch the whales from shorelines and cliff tops. Get on a whale spotting boat, if you want to get a closer look. As two oceans meet at the Southern tip of South Africa, it is a perfect shelter for marine life. The whales travel to the Western Cape from Antarctica to mate and give birth. The warm waters, shallow sheltered bays, and the huge diversity of marine life are just perfect for breeding whales. The annual Whale festival is celebrated every September in Hermanus to celebrate the return of the Southern right whales from Antarctica. The icing on the cake? South Africa has the highest population in the world for white sharks.

2.  ICELAND, EUROPE

Where in Iceland?
Reykjavik, Husavik

When to go?
April-October with peak season from June-August

Whales you can see?
Minke Whale, Blue Whale, Fin Whale, Sperm Whale, Sei Whales, Humpback, Killer Whale

Why is Iceland one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
Iceland is now known as the whale watching capital of Europe as more than 20 species of whales inhabit these waters. Excellent feeding grounds and undisturbed waters attract countless whales to the North Atlantic Ocean. The whales visit Iceland all year-round, but the peak season makes the sighting much easier. It is particularly easy to spot the shy Minke whale due to its huge numbers in the region. If you are lucky, you might get a chance to watch the whales emerging under a sky lit with the Northern lights. Can anything be more spectacular than that? You can also get glimpses of dolphins and porpoises frolicking nearby.

3.  ALASKA, NORTH AMERICA

Where in Alaska?
Throughout the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska – Juneau is the epicenter, Glacier Bay National Park

When to go?
April-September with peak sightings between June and September

Whales you can see?
Humpback, Orca, Minke Whales, Gray Whales, Blue Whales

Why is Alaska one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
The whale-spotting opportunities are tremendous in Alaska as the coastline extends over 6,000 miles and has numerous bays and jagged fjords. The incredibly nutrient-rich Alaskan waters have sufficient food for the gigantic whales. There is no need to head out to sea to see the mammals, as you can spot them from the shore. However, the sightings are always better from the sea. The region is also known for the humpback whales ‘bubble netting’ technique – a group of whales hunt collaboratively by creating nets of bubbles under the water and then launch themselves high into the air with wide-opened mouths to collect fish. This once-in-a-lifetime spectacle is seen only for a few weeks each year and you have to be very lucky to witness it. Keep a lookout for the seals, dolphins, and porpoises – the Alaskan wildlife is truly magical. The gorgeous backdrop of ice-covered mountains, pristine coastlines, and unspoiled glaciers are the added attractions. 

4.  SRI LANKA, ASIA 

Where in Sri Lanka?
Trincomalee (East), Mirissa & Galle (South)

When to go?
June-October (East), November-April (South)

Whales you can see?
Orca, Sperm Whale, Humpback Whale, Blue Whale, and Bryde’s Whale

Why is Sri Lanka one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
Sri Lanka lies within a Protected Zone in the Indian Ocean and is fast emerging as the hotspot for watching whales. The warm waters around Sri Lanka offer plenty of feeding opportunities for the whales as deep-sea trenches are located just offshore. Sri Lanka has exceptional sighting records as the island’s southernmost tip nudges a dip in the ‘continental shelf’, loved by the Blue whales. The coast of Mirissa and Galle is probably the best spot in the world for spotting the mighty blue whales, especially from February to March. Nowhere in the world do the astounding creatures swim so close to the shoreline. The playful dolphins will whizz past your boat as you are busy spotting the cetaceans. There is the option to fly across the water in a small plane and enjoy an overhead view of the beautiful animals.

5.  CANADA 

Where in Canada?
Vancouver Island

When to go?
May to September (orca), March-April (Grey)

Whales you can see?
Southern resident Killer whales, Humpback, Minke whales, Gray whales

Why is Vancouver one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
If you want to see the Southern resident killer whales (orca), Vancouver Island in Canada is the place to be. The gorgeous surrounding snow-capped mountain ranges make the trip truly memorable. In terms of consistency, it is hard to beat Vancouver waters and there are very high chances of seeing the mammals closely. Most whale-watching tours start from the city of Victoria. The northern coast has more than 250 resident orcas besides some other popular species. The island’s west coast is an ideal place to see the migration of 20,000 grey whales, as they pass the island’s pacific coast between March and April. Multiple tour options are available to watch the whales, but one of the best experiences is by kayak.

7.  THE AZORES, EUROPE 

When to go?
March-September, March-May for Blue Whales

Whales you can see?
Sperm Whale, Fin Whale, Blue Whale, Humpback, Orca, Sei Whale

Why is Azores one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
This far-flung archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world. The Azores is found off the coast of Portugal and serve as a way-station for the whales traveling across the Atlantic during the summer months. The nutrient-rich, sheltered waters and warm temperatures are perfect for the whales to live permanently or pass by. There are around 20 types of whales (including some rare species) that inhabit waters around the Azores. You can spot the resident sperm whales pretty much any time of the year. One of the highlights is to watch the sperm whales spy hopping – vertically poking the head out of the water to get a better view of activities near the water’s surface. Whale-watching is one of the main reasons for tourist inflow to the remote volcanic islands. If you are not fond of boats, you can observe them from the vigias (whale observation posts) dotted around the breathtaking islands.

7.  NEW ZEALAND, OCEANIA 

Where in New Zealand?
Kaikoura in South Island

When to go?
All Year-round for Sperm Whales, June-July for Humpbacks, December-March for Orcas

Whales you can see?
Sperm Whale, Blue Whale, Orca, Pilot Whale, Bryde’s Whale

Why is Kaikoura one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
Kaikoura, a tiny seaside town in South Island (New Zealand), is a preferred haven for whales. Tectonic plates collide and ocean currents meet off Kaikoura, creating a very abundant food chain. It attracts the sperm whale, who is their permanent resident and gathers along the coast throughout the year. Kaikoura is one location, where you will encounter sperm whales quite easily. If you are lucky, you might be able to get a glimpse of the Blue Whale frolicking in their natural habitat. Swimming and snorkeling alongside the gentle dolphins, whales, and seals are also an option. You can also spot the whales from the skies in a small plane and appreciate their size and beauty from above.

8.  MEXICO, NORTHERN AMERICA

Where in Mexico?
Baja California

When to go?
Year-round with peak sightings between February-April

Whales you can see?
Grey Whales, Humpback, Sperm Whales, Fin Whales, Blue Whales, Bryde’s Whale

Why is Mexico one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
The Baja California peninsula in Mexico sits in nutrient-rich waters and is a preferred sanctuary for whales all around the year. It separates the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean and is a perfect breeding ground.  The subtropical, sheltered waters of the Sea of Cortez have been called ‘World’s Aquarium” due to their prolific marine life. It hosts dolphins, sea turtles, and everything from blue whales to Bryde’s whales. Three are three major breeding lagoons in Baja California – San Ignacio Lagoon, Magdalena Bay, and Scammon’s Lagoon. Between January and April, grey whales come into the shallow lagoons to breed and raise their enormous calves. Grey whales are very friendly and they may bump your boat or come near you for a hug.  After April, they embark on their incredible migration to Alaska.  Grey whale’s yearly migration between mating lagoons of Mexico and the feeding grounds of Alaska, is one of the longest migrations by any marine creature in the world. Baja California is also a fantastic place to see and swim with whale sharks. The southern tip of the peninsula is popular amongst humpback whales.

9.  CALIFORNIA, NORTH AMERICA

Where in California?
Monterey Bay

When to go?
Year-round, but summer has the most sightings

Whales you can see?
Grey Whales, Blue Whales, Orcas, Humpbacks

Why is California one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
The long coastline of California is one of the most remarkable places to see gentle mammals. The migration of 20,000 grey whales takes place along this coast as the whales travel between Alaska and Mexico. Besides the migrating grey whales, there are lots of other whale species that inhabit the region at different times, so you are always sure of sightings. The town of Monterey is the prime hotspot for whale-watching cruises and tours. The area is rich with other marine life like sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, and sea otters.

10.  HAWAII, NORTH AMERICA 

Where in Hawaii?
Auau Channel between Maui and Lanai

When to go?
November to May, but peak season runs from January to March.

Whales you can see?
Humpback, Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales, Melon Headed Whales

Why is Hawaii one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
Hawaii is not only known for its turquoise waters, lush rainforests & picturesque beaches. The region is a whale magnet and one of the best places for observing whales. The safe and warm waters of Hawaii attract humpback whales. Approximately 10,000 humpbacks migrate to these tropical islands from frigid Alaskan waters to mate, breed and rear their young. They linger for months so that their calves grow strong enough to leave for cold rich waters further north. From November to May, the waters of the Hawaiian Islands, particularly Maui’s shorelines, are abuzz with acrobatic, social, and curious humpbacks.

11.  SCOTLAND, EUROPE 

Where in Scotland?
Isle of Mull, Orkney, Shetland Islands

When to go?
Year-round, but May-September is the best time

Whales you can see?
Minke Whale, Orcas, Fin Whale, Sperm Whale

Why is Scotland one of the best whale-watching locations in the world?
The peaceful waters surrounding the west coast of Scotland are one of the premier destinations for whale-watching in Europe. About one-third of North Atlantic’s whale population (including sperm, fin, humpback, and minke whales) migrate every year through the western Scottish coast. However, some cetacean species are resident year-round. This stunning corner of the British Isles is home to the minke whale. They can be seen devouring fishes, seals dolphins, porpoises eagles & puffins. If you want to see orcas, head further north to Orkney.  Orcas tend to kill in pods (groups) consisting of around 30-40 whales. It is a sight that should not be missed as spotting a group of whales is definitely a mind-blowing experience.

Besides this, there are few other destinations like San Juan Island (Washington), Strait of Gibraltar (Spain), Hervey Bay (Australia), Nunavut (Canada), Dominica, and the Antarctica Peninsula. So, which of these locations excites you the most?