Best Whale Watching Tours In The World

Best Whale Watching Tours in the World

One of the main things to bear in mind when you’re planning your trip is that there are many different species of whales, each with their own characteristics, behaviours and regions. 

Each tour selected below has been chosen for its unique encounters and experiences in order to give you a broad spectrum of options in various epic locations.

Overall Best Whale Watching Tour – Baja Grey Whale Expedition (Elsewheria)

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• Days: 7 days
• Price: $2,500
• Group Size: 4-12 travellers 
• Fitness Required: Easy-Moderate.
• Accommodations: Beachfront casitas and cosy lodges
• Meals Included: All meals are included.
• Service Level: Standard. You won’t find 5-star hotels, but you will find super cute places to stay nonetheless AND 5-star home-cooked meals!

If you’re after the ultimate whale watching adventure, then this offering from Elsewheria ticks all the boxes. With beachfront accommodation and endless vibes by the fire each night, you won’t want it to end. 

On this tour, you’ll make friends for life with a small to medium-sized group of fellow enthusiasts just as hyped as you are to hit the water and see the grey whales of Baja in all their majesty, up close and personal. There is literally no better way to experience this incredible place and these gentle giants in their natural habitat than this incredible tour. Not only that, but the Sea of Cortez may bring encounters with playful dolphins, curious sea lions, and even humpbacks and fin whales, as well as the elusive blue whale. 

The guides at Elsewheria have over a decade of experience exploring Baja, so they know this land inside out and will provide you with escapades and adventures that will last a lifetime. They know exactly where and when to be when over 10,000 whales come to give birth, many of whom will approach a well-guided boat. 

On this tour, you’ll be staying in remote beachfront eco-lodges with a private chef just for the group. You’ll also explore the untouched coastline of the Sea of Cortez by private boat with a captain who knows all the best locations for interactions. Then each night you’ll share in bonfires, educational talks and workshops under the Baja stars together with your new friends. 

Who is this tour best for?

Anyone who dreams of seeing Grey Whales in the most sun-drenched surroundings with great people, amazing weather and unmatched vibes. 

Cons

• Likely to sell out fast! 
• You’re probably going to be spoilt, and nothing else will match it again! 
• Takes place in February. Still great weather, but swimming might be a touch chilly. 

Most Beautiful Whale Swim in the World – Humpback Expedition in Rurutu

• Days: 4 hours.
• Price: $255
• Group Size: Up to 6 travellers 
• Fitness Required: Easy
• Accommodations: N/A
• Meals Included: NON
• Service Level: Standard.

If you’re looking for a less intense experience than joining a multi-day tour, then this adventure in Rurutu will be perfect for you. Think of it as a kinda beginner’s expedition where you don’t need to commit to being on a boat for several days, instead, you can give it a go in this spectacular location and see if it takes your fancy… spoiler alert, it bloody will!

Having said that, it’s still an incredible tour that packs a punch for the short amount of time it takes. You’ll have the opportunity to observe stingrays, blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and swim among colourful tropical fish. You might even get to swim with a pod of wild dolphins if you’re lucky. Either way, you’ll find yourself cruising and swimming in some of the clearest and most stunning waters in the world.

Who is this tour best for?

This tour is ideal for adventure travel lovers who are searching for a deeply authentic tour filled with wildlife and local expertise, but don’t want to commit to the time and money of a multi-day tour.

Cons

• Only takes place between August and November due to it being the optimal whale watching season
• Not ideal if you want to get a deeper connection to the whales
• Only lasts for 4 hours, rather than a full day or multi-day experience.

Best Budget Short Whale Tour – Azores: Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour w/ Marine Biologist

• Days: 3 Hours
• Price: $71
• Group Size: 12 to 25
• Fitness Required: Low
• Accommodations: N/A
• Meals Included: N/A
• Service Level: Standard

If you’re short on time and money, then this 3-hour tour offers the best bang for your buck you can get. The operators claimed that sightings are guaranteed as they use their VHF Radio to coordinate and locate whales and dolphins. In this area of abundant marine biodiversity, marine wildlife can be observed year-round, making it the perfect whale watching tour if you’re not one to overly plan ahead.

This specialised whale watching expedition tour is led by marine biologists who will give you a detailed briefing before your trip, providing information about local species, their migrational and behavioural patterns. It’s perfect for those who not only want to witness these incredible animals in their natural habitat, whilst also learning about them at the same time.

Who is this tour best for?

This tour is ideal for those who don’t plan their trip too far in advance and haven’t planned around whale watching seasons. It’s also ideal for those on a tight budget who want a quick but intense half-day tour that doesn’t mess about, but gets right to it instead.

Cons

• The tour only lasts 3 hours.
• Group sizes can be quite large on a relatively small boat.

Best Undiscovered Whale Migration Route – Blue & Sperm Whale Expedition in Timor Leste

• Days: 7
• Price: $4600 (Approx/ 3990 Euros)
• Group Size: Maximum 6 people + guides
• Fitness Required: Moderate
• Accommodations: AC hotel with a pool and a small fitness studio
• Meals Included: Group meals included.
• Service Level: Premium

If you’re looking for an intense week-long expedition into some of the world’s most uncharted waters, then this tour in Timor-Leste is the perfect option. This lesser-visited country is an adventure in itself, but by taking this intimate, high-end whale watching tour, you’ll get to see its wildest and authentic side. This tour isn’t about jumping on packed boats in areas blighted by over-tourism; it’s about supporting quality and ethical encounters with knowledgeable guides.

Make no mistake, this is a premium expedition where you’ll return to land each day and stay in a comfortable and modern air-conditioned hotel with a pool, gym and onsite restaurant. This makes it easy to socialise with your fellow travellers and be well rested for another day of adventures. Here you’ll spend each day on and in the water, snorkelling and free diving to experience swimming with blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins.

Who is this tour best for?

For travellers who like to go off the beaten track and discover remote locations untouched by mass tourism. This trip is also for those who have a passion for marine life and want to spend considerable time in their presence.

Cons

• For some, this can be quite an intense expedition, and it’s not for those without a passion for whale spotting.
• Timor-Leste can be a difficult and expensive place to reach.

Best Cold-Water Whale Watching Tour – Orca & Humpback Safari in Norway

• Days: 7 to 9 hours (approx.)
• Price: $200
• Group Size: Max 140 (on a large ship)
• Fitness Required: Low
• Accommodations: N/A
• Meals Included: N/A
• Service Level: Basic

If you’re looking for a whale watching experience that is a little less intense than some of the others, then this tour departing from Tromso is ideal. Rather than an intimate expedition, here you’ll be on a much larger boat (ideal for those with sea sickness and not wanting the intimacy of sharing a small craft with a few people) with a large number of travellers, whilst also having ample personal space.

This day trip allows plenty of time to observe the whales and other marine life that call these waters home, whilst also giving you time to take a break and soak in the views. The specially selected craft is a hybrid-electric boat, meaning it silently glides through the water without disturbing the creatures you’re out spotting. With two indoor saloons with panoramic windows and three outdoor observation decks, it’s up to you if you sit inside in the warm or brave the cold air.

Who is this tour best for?

For those who want to add a low-key whale spotting tour, which offers a casual and less intense experience.

Cons

• The tour is on a large sightseeing boat with many other people.
• Sightings are much more sporadic and from a distance.

Best Family-Friendly Whale Tour – South Africa Hermanus Experience

• Days: 1.5 – 2 hrs.
• Price: $87
• Group Size: up to 40 on the boat.  
• Fitness Required: Low
• Accommodations: N/A
• Meals Included: N/A – But water is available on board and a welcome coffee.
• Service Level: Standard

We all know kids can get fed up with long activities, so this South African whale watching trip is the perfect way to keep the kids entertained without risking a meltdown! At only 1.5 – 2 hours, there’s no risk of any family member feeling like they’re being dragged around all day if it’s not their thing! But let me tell you, whilst it might be one of the shorter trips, it packs a lot in and is perfect for family travel.

Taking place in Hermanus, known as the whale watching capital of the world, sightings here are all but guaranteed. Your boat will search well-known spots where the whales hang out and switch off its engines as they come up to the boat themselves for a bit of people watching! Wild hey! Plus, they have several knowledgeable guides on board to answer any questions you might have.

Who is this tour best for?

For those who don’t want to commit to a long all-day or multi-day whale watching tour, but still want the opportunity to see whales and dolphins up close with a guide.

Cons

• It’s the shortest tour on this list at 1.5 – 2 hours.
• The boat can be quite busy with lots of people.

Quick Guide to Planning a Whale Watching Trip

Alright then. Now I’ve covered the different options for tours, I’ve got a few extra tips, must-know bits of info and advice to make your trip even more epic. 

Best Time of Year for Whale Watching Around the World

The best time of the year to whale watch isn’t a simple thing to answer. This entirely depends on which species of whale you’d like to see, what hemisphere you’re travelling in and what weather conditions you want during your trip. 

Let’s break it down. 

Humpbacks: 

• Alaska: June–September
• Mexico (Baja California): December–April
• Australia (East Coast): June–November
• Hawaii: December–April

Orcas: 

• Norway: October–January
• Canada (Vancouver Island): May–October
• New Zealand: December–March

Blue Whales: 

• Baja California, Mexico: December–April
• Pacific Northwest (U.S. & Canada): May–October

Southern Right Whales:

• South Africa (Hermanus): June–November
• Argentina (Peninsula Valdés): June–December
• Australia (Great Australian Bight): May–October

Travel Insurance for Your Whale Watching Holiday

Whilst whale watching is a super chill activity in beautiful surroundings, all adventures overseas come with an element of risk, especially on open water. To be on the safe side and make sure you’re able to enjoy the experience without worry, get yourself some good travel insurance before heading off. 

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

What to Pack for a Whale Watching Trip 

Now you’ve decided which trip you’d like to take. Next comes packing for your adventure. Whilst it might seem no different from any other trip (and in this respect, you’ll still need to pack your undies!), there are a few specific things I recommend packing. 

• Waterproof windbreaker
• Motion sickness tablets (even if you think you’re fine!)
• Telephoto lens and high-quality camera gear/ spare memory cards, and batteries 
• Binoculars 
• Thermal underlayers for cold-weather tours
• Dry bag for camera/ phone/ wallet 
• Waterproof cover for your bag 
• Reusable water bottle 
• Eco-friendly sunscreen
• Swimming gear 
• Quick-dry towel 
• Quick-dry clothing 
• Flip flops for the beach 
• Grippy boat suitable shoes 
• Portable battery pack

Final Thoughts on the Best Whale Watching Tours in the World 

Ok. So there you have it. Hopefully, now you’re armed with all the information you’ll need in order to select the best whale watching tour in the world for you, your interests and availability. 

Personally, I love the Elsewheria Baja trip. It combines incredible scenery, great weather and endless opportunities for seeing whales with passionate and knowledgeable guides. 

Have you ever been whale watching? Where did you go, and where is next on the list? (Because we all know it’s never a one-and-done experience!)