Underrated whale watching spots around the world
Discover 6 hidden gem whale watching spots around the world and find out everything you need to know about visiting these amazing locations!
For nature enthusiasts and animal lovers, whale watching is a must do activity, but where should you go for the best and most unique whale watching experience? Here are our top 6 hidden gem whale watching spots around the world and everything you need to know about visiting them!
Moorea, French Polynesia
The sister island of Tahiti and one of the beautiful gems of French Polynesia’s Society Islands, Moorea is a true nature lover’s paradise! Moorea is known for its serene atmosphere, turquoise lagoons, lush mountains, and luxurious white sand beaches. The island certainly offers an amazing array of water-based activities such as lagoon tours and snorkelling, and relaxing on the shore is absolutely the thing to do while in French Polynesia!
However, Moorea also boasts some superb whale watching – some of the best in the world! Humpback whales migrate to the warm and clear waters of Moorea from July – November to mate and give birth, giving whale enthusiasts and animal lovers the opportunity to get up close to these beautiful creatures during a whale watching tour! In 2002, French Polynesia declared itself a Marine Mammal Sanctuary, offering protection to the 20+ species of whale and dolphin found in its waters and the islands also have strict guidelines around whale watching. Even with guidelines in place, you can still have the opportunity to swim with whales in Moorea for an unforgettable and unique experience!
Maui, Hawaii
Humpback whales are found in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, but the two populations (from either hemisphere) are not known to mix! While the humpbacks found in French Polynesia swim up from Antarctica, the Northern Hemisphere humpbacks swim down from Alaska to the Hawaiian Islands. From November – April humpback whales come to Hawaiian waters to mate and birth. Hawaii and French Polynesia have opposite seasons meaning that between the two humpback hotspots, you can whale watch almost year round! While you can go whale watching from most of the Hawaiian Islands, including boat tours from Oahu and Hawaii's Big Island, the best place to spot whales is from Maui!
Maui is the second most visited island in Hawaii and it is known for its laid back vibes, incredible snorkelling, Mauna Haleakala (discover this sacred mountain by bike), and of course, its whale watching! The whales and their calves are particularly drawn to the shallow waters between Maui and Molokai as you will find out during your whale watching trip from Lahaina, once one of the largest whaling ports in the Pacific but now the go to spot for humpback whale watching!
Hermanus, South Africa
When people think of South Africa, perhaps the vibrant city of Cape Town comes to mind, or otherwise the country’s rich history and culture, stunning sandy beaches, fascinating wildlife, and incredible landscapes. One of the most picturesque regions of South Africa is the Garden Route where the mountains meet the sea, stretching from Mossel Bay to Storms River. Aside from its extraordinary views and idyllic towns, the Garden Route is also known for its active lifestyle and there are many adventures to be had along its shores, from paragliding in Wilderness to bungee jumping from the Bloukrans Bridge!
Nestled in the middle of the lovely Garden Route is the quaint town of Hermanus, a local favourite for many reasons including its unique whale watching experiences! In Hermanus, whales are so prolific that you can spot them right from the shore and there is even a local whale crier to alert you of sightings! Whether you want to spot whales while you hike along the coast or go on a whale watching boat tour from Hermanus or the nearby Ganabaai, Hermanus is the place to go if you love cetaceans! From July - November you can spot southern right whales; May - December is humpback whale season and Bryde’s whales can be seen year round in Hermanus.
Saguenay, Canada
Canada is well known to be a whale watching hotspot, but the best place in Canada, and one of the best places to whale watch in the world, is in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean between May - October! Located around 2.5 hours north of Quebec by car, Saguenay’s beautiful fjord is part of the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent marine park whose waters are home to 13 species of whale, including humpbacks, minke, fin, beluga, and though rare, blue whales (the largest animals on earth!).
From Saguenay, not only can you whale watch during a boat tour, but you can also spot whales whilst standing on the banks of the fjord. The Saguenay Fjord starts at Saint-Fulgence and empties into the Saint Lawrence at Tadoussac, which is the oldest village in Canada and is known for its incredibly picturesque bay. The fjord is also dotted with lovely quaint towns such as l’Anse-Saint-Jean, Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, and many more! For a different way to experience the fjord, you can go sea kayaking from Petit-Saguenay or sailing from l’Anse-Saint-Jean for a unique way to immerse yourself in Quebec’s natural beauty and get an even closer view of the whales!
Husavik, Iceland
Husavik is a quaint town in the north of Iceland that is a must visit for many reasons! While Husavik may be a bit of a trek from the capital Reykjavik, it is worth your time to make the trip: not only is Husavik believed to be one of the first settlements in Iceland but it is also the whale watching capital of Europe! Located at the edge of the Arctic Circle, Husavik’s nutrient rich waters are home to more than 20 species of whale: humpback, sperm, minke, fin, orcas, blue whales (most likely to be spotted between June/July) and more!
Because whale watching is so popular in Husavik, there are also many different tour options available. Whether you are looking for a smaller speedboat tour, a larger cruise, a sailboat whale watching tour, or even a science focused tour, you can find it all in Husavik! Husavik also has a whale museum to enrich your knowledge of whales even further and give you a truly in depth whale watching experience. Perhaps the best part about whale watching in Husavik is that the season lasts from April – September meaning that you will discover Iceland in full bloom! Husavik will be covered in lush greenery and bright flowers and the super long days mean that you can even sign up for a midnight sun whale watching tour in June and July!
Reunion Island
Reunion Island is a true pearl in the Indian Ocean and offers visitors a variety of unforgettable adventures in paradise! From caving in the lava tunnels of the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, to canyoning among lush waterfalls, there is so much to do in Reunion and possibly one of the most fascinating activities to do in Reunion is whale watching from June - October!
The waters around Reunion Island are home to 22 species of cetaceans including sperm whales, pilot whales, blue whales, fin, and most famously, Reunion is humpback whale haven! Whales are best seen along Reunion’s wild west coast from Saint-Denis to Saint Joseph! Right in Saint-Denis, you can spot whales from dry land from Le Barachois, the northern most point of Saint-Dennis, and from the Saint-Denis seafront you can even listen to humpback whale songs thanks to an offshore buoy with a radio transmitter. From Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, the most popular way to observe whales and dolphins is by going on a snorkelling boat tour for a whale watching experience unlike any other!
From the top of the Northern Hemisphere to the tip of the Southern Hemisphere and from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, whale watching can take you all over the world across all seasons! Now that you know where and when to go, you can build your dream trip. Whale watching is an awe-inspiring activity and when combined with an incredible locale and an itinerary full of other fun adventures, you are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime!