Whale Watching Locations and Season Guide
Travel & Exploration
Bucket List
A symphony of sea life with whales and seabirds frolicking around a setting sun, as ships sail calmly in the distance
The allure of whale watching has swept across the globe, drawing enthusiasts to the shores of continents from North America to Africa. Each destination offers a unique tableau where the majestic dance of whales—be it orcas in British Columbia or humpbacks in the warm waters of Hawaii—can be observed in their natural habitats, during optimal seasons that ensure the best experience.
Navigating the vast options, from the icy vistas of Reykjavik, Iceland, where one can spy an array of whale species from April to October, to the tropical climes of Tonga, which hosts humpback whales between July and October, becomes an adventure in itself. Europe and South America also provide spectacular whale watching opportunities, with locations like Andenes, Norway, and Peninsula Valdes, Argentina marking themselves as must-visits for enthusiasts.
Such well-defined sightings periods and diverse locations guarantee that every whale watching journey, whether it’s witnessing the migration in Africa’s Hermanus or exploring the deep Pacific off Kaikoura, New Zealand, is both memorable and magnificent.
North America
Prime whale watching spots in North America and the best seasons to visit.
Victoria, British Columbia
Best from May to October for orcas, humpbacks, and gray whales.Monterey Bay, California
Year-round sightings; best for blue and humpback whales from April to December.Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Visit from April to October for humpback, fin, and minke whales.Juneau, Alaska
Ideal from April to September for humpback and orca sightings.Hawaii
Peak humpback whale watching from December to May.
Europe
Top locations in Europe for whale watching along with optimal seasons.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Best from April to October; humpbacks, minkes, and sometimes blue whales.Azores, Portugal
Sightings from April to October include blue, fin, and sperm whales.Tenerife, Canary Islands
Year-round opportunities; pilot whales and beaked whales common.Andenes, Norway
Visit in summer for sperm whales; orcas in winter.
Oceania
Ideal spots in Oceania for whale watching with key seasons.
Hervey Bay, Australia
Peak season is July to November for humpback whales.Kaikoura, New Zealand
Year-round sightings, best for sperm whales.Tonga
Visit from July to October to see humpback whales up close.
South America
Top whale watching areas in South America and prime seasons.
Peninsula Valdes, Argentina
Best from June to December for Southern right whales.Bahia Solano, Colombia
Humpback whales from July to October.
Africa
Best locations in Africa to watch whales and optimal viewing times.
Hermanus, South Africa
Ideal from June to November for Southern right whales.Watamu, Kenya
Humpback whale migration peaks from July to September.