Whale Watching

Discover Whale Watching

Spotting whales in the wild is one of the most special nature experiences you can have. Usually you take a boat trip to spot them, although in some rare cases it is possible to watch them from land. Coming face to face with some of the largest animals on this planet in their natural habitat creates deep and memorable impressions. Whales are found in almost all the seas of our world. And there are many places where you can watch whales, among others in Canada, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Whales are generally divided in two species, baleen whales and toothed whales. In general, baleen whales are larger and feed by sifting plankton out of the water through their mouths. Some examples of these whales are humpback whales, gray whales, and blue whales. Toothed whales on the other hand, are usually smaller and have teeth. They feed on mammals and fish such as penguins, seals, and smaller whales and dolphins. Killer whales and dolphins are probably the most well-known members of this group.

Special Whale Watching Tours

Travel Agents specialized in Whale Watching

Countries which are best for Whale Watching

More about Observing

Whale watching in the Azores

The waters around the Azores are some of the best places in the world for whale watching. This is a not to miss activity during your trip in the Azores. Over 25 different whale species migrate in the Atlantic Ocean near these islands. The best time to visit the Azores for whale watching is from April to September, as the rainy season lasts from October to April. There are different tour operators that organize trips to watch whales and various boats like dinghies, catamarans, and fiberglass boats are used. The dinghy gets you the closest to the water and the whales and it is fast moving, but you’ll wet for sure. Make sure to book your whale watching trip at the beginning of your holiday as excursions are sometimes rescheduled due to the weather.

Canadian whale spotting

Whale watching in Canada is a very popular activity. It is possible to spot whales on both the East and West coasts. However, especially around the West coast and Vancouver Island you will have the biggest chance to encounter whales. The most common species seen here are killer whales and humpback whales. Beluga whales are mostly found in the waters to the West. Still, for any encounter you will have to get lucky as these are wild animals and they do not follow any schedule. You can spot whales all year round, but the best time to admire these giant animals is during the summer. Some species of whale migrate during the winter months to the Southern Hemisphere.

The whales of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an excellent place to watch whales. You can find them in the south of the island. The town of Mirissa is the most popular base from which to look for whales and dolphins. There are several agencies that provide tours to spot these animals. This is a white sandy beach town and whales love to visit the waters just off the coast. Large animals of over 30 meters are often spotted just from the coast. With those sizes they are just impossible to miss. Trips out on the water to spot these animals are often accompanied by a guide or naturalist who will explain more about these animals and their behavior.