Top 20 Whale Watching and Dolphin Cruise Experiences Around the World

Whale watching and dolphin cruises offer some of Earth’s most awe-inspiring wildlife encounters. From the icy waters of the Arctic to the tropical seas of the Indian Ocean, here are 20 of the best whale watching spots and dolphin cruise experiences around the world.

Top 20 Whale Watching and Dolphin Cruise Destinations

America

Monterey Bay, California, USA

Monterey Bay is a hot spot in the North American region for watching. This whale watching spot is known for year-round sightings of humpbacks, Blue Whales, and orcas. This is by far one of the best places to visit Blue Whales.

Vancouver Island (Tofino), Canada

This whale watching hotspot is active from March to October, when grey whales migrate. Killer whales live in this area. The spot has a rich marine biodiversity, with sea lions and various marine bird species spotted. It also offers one of the best scenes to watch whales.

Maui, Hawaii, USA

In Maui, a whale watching spot, you can encounter many humpback whales. In fact, Maui is known as the Humpback whale capital of the sea. During the December to April time period, the whale watching site truly comes to its tower, where you can see a full display of Humpback whales. There is an annual Whale Festival happening in February to March, which focuses on celebrating the conservation of whales.

Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

This is a hotspot for Gray whales, blue whales, and fin whales. The Baja Peninsula is a famous hot spot for gray whale nursing grounds. It is a UNESCO-protected site, which helps in conserving these friendly whale species.

Europe

Husavik, Iceland

Husavik is the whale watching capital of Europe. Many people travel to Iceland to embark on whale watching journeys in Husavik. Usually, blue whales and Humpback whales are spotted from June to August. During the 24 daylight days in Summer, you can also engage in Midnight sun tours, which add a unique twist to your whale watching trip.

Tromsø, Norway

It is known for its orca and humpback whale sightings in Europe. The best season is the cold winters, from November to January, when these species come to the surface to feed on herring populations. You can have pretty close encounters with these species in these whale watching spots.

Madeira Island, Portugal

Madeira Island off the coast of Portugal is the best place to see Sperm whales in Europe. You can see these giant creatures almost every time of the year, along with pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. With stunning scenery, your whale watching and dolphin cruise trip in the Madeira Islands would be something out of a postcard.

West Cork, Ireland

West Cork is known for Fin whale sightings and Humpback whale sightings from August to October. Sometimes, these creatures are followed by Orcas, allowing you to watch them. With the small boat tours, you will have an exclusive feeling about watching whales in this area.

Oceania

Kaikoura, New Zealand

Kaikoura is a hotspot for Sperm whale sightings, which can be seen all year round due to the special geographical formation underwater, with large underwater canyons. Humpbacks and orcas can also be seen in this area from June to July and December to February.

Picton, New Zealand

Picton is another amazing location in New Zealand, which offers sheltered waters for dolphin and whale sightings. Orcas and Humpback migratory pods can be seen from May to October. With small, grouped tours and a bunch of other activities to enjoy onshore, Picton is one of my favorite spots to go whale watching in the world.

Hervey Bay, Australia

Hervey Bay, Australia, is a significant resting spot for migrating whales. These resting whale pods can be seen from July to November. This is also a special nursery ground for whales with abundant food sources. An annual celebration of Whales in August promotes conservation efforts and makes the public aware of the importance of these creatures.

Africa

Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique

Bazaruto Archipelago, located off the East Africa coastline, is a hotspot for Humpback whale sightings. From June to October, these creatures are seen when Humpback whales migrate from warm waters to cooler nutrient-rich waters. Apart from these hales, you will also see bottlenose, spinner dolphins, and dugongs.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar‘s best season is from July to October, when Humpback whales start migrating. These migrating whales like to rest in waters just off the coast of Zanzibar, allowing travelers to watch these amazing creatures in full flow. You can choose a dhow cruise to increase the authenticity of watching whales in Zanzibar.

Hermanus, South Africa

Hermanus is the best onshore spot to whale watching without boat. Southern right whale calves and mothers come really close to the Hermanus areas, giving the best views of these mothers and their babies. The whale watching season starts in June and ends in November, so make sure to visit Hermanus if you are visiting South Africa during that period.

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Walvis Bay is another spectacular location off the coast of the African continent. There are Heaviside’s Dolphins, which are endemic to Namibia, and you can see them in abundance in this bay. Apart from them, you can see southern right whales during the whale watching season, from July to October.

Madagascar (Nosy Be)

Nosy Be in Madagascar is a world-famous hotspot for Humpback whale breeding. The warm water conditions offer the best conditions for the caves to grow. The whale watching season starts in Early July and goes until mid-September, giving you ample opportunities to see these majestic creatures during this time window.

Asia

Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa is one of the few whale watching spots where you can see whales all year round. It is on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, beside whale migration paths. You can see Sperm whales, blue whales, bottlenose dolphins, and spinner dolphins. Blue whales are only available in their migrating season, which is from November to April, but you will be able to sight Sperm whales all year around.

• Did you know? Sri Lanka is known as ‘Bali 2.0’

Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

Trincomalee is another site in Sri Lanka that offers spectacular whale watching conditions. It is famous for being less crowded than Mirissa but packs a punch like any site in the world. The whale watching season starts in March and goes to September, allowing for seeing large blue whales. Sperm whales can also be seen year-round in this spot.

Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa is known as a Humpback whale winter haven worldwide and a marine life enthusiast’s paradise. Large pods of Humpback whales gather off the coast of Okinawa for breeding and nursing. In these small exclusive whale watching tours, you can also see dugongs and other rare marine mammals.

Hualien, Taiwan

Hualien is another spectacular whale watching spot in South Eastern Asia. Whale watching and dolphin cruise comes to its full flow from May to October, when you can spot Sperm Whales and Orcas. There are also abundant dolphin species in the waters.

Whether you’re seeking the thrill of a dolphin cruise or the majesty of whale watching, these destinations offer unforgettable experiences. From boat-based tours to opportunities for whale watching without a boat, there’s something for every marine wildlife enthusiast.