One year of whale watching at a glance: our whale planner!
We are often asked where is the best place to go whale watching at this or that time of year. Our whale planner provides a helpful overview of the best places to observe whales from January to December. Have a good trip!
JANUARy
At the beginning of the year, thousands of humpback whales gather in the waters off Hawaii to give birth to their young. The best time to see them: December to May. Great alternative: In Norway and Iceland, you can watch many whales (orcas! humpbacks! sperm whales!) and the northern lights at the same time. Perfect winter trip!
FEBRUARy
Every year, thousands of grey whales migrate back and forth between Mexico and Alaska – this is one of the longest maritime migrations in the world. Between December and March/April, they breed in the warm, shallow bays of Baja California. After that, they make the long journey to their rich feeding grounds in the north. Besides: It's high season in New Zealand! Sperm whales can be seen off the beautiful coast of Kaikoura almost all year round!
March
In March, you can witness a quite unique hunting technique on the Valdes Peninsula in Patagonia: orcas intentionally beach here to hunt seal pups directly on the beach. There is almost nowhere else in the world where orcas hunt in this way. Those travelling from the Argentinian Atlantic coast to the Chilean Pacific coast can also see blue whales: Between December and April, they give birth to their young in the Gulf of Corcovado. Also worth a trip: in Tofino and Ucluelet, Canada, the people celebrate the arrival of the first grey whales.
APRIL
Time to meet the giants of the sea! Blue whales are the largest animals that have ever lived on this planet. However, there are not too many places where you are likely to encounter them. The Azores are one of them! Blue whales pass the small Atlantic islands on their way north, along with a few other large whales – best time: between April and May!
MAy
Spring in the Canadian Arctic: this is where you can meet bowheads, belugas and narwhals right at the ice edge. And polar bears. And walruses. A slightly more accessible alternative: Greenland! To the west of Disko Bay, off Qeqertarsuaq, you may also be lucky enough to see some of the arctic whales before they follow the breaking ice and migrate further north at the end of April, beginning of May.
JUNe
In summer, all of North America's coasts are perfect for whale watching: Quebec, British Columbia, New England and California are among the best places in the world to see whales. On the east coast you can spot fin whales, minke whales and blue whales, in the west mainly orcas and grey whales – while humpback whales are everywhere. What to be mindful of, especially in North America: There should never be more boats than whales.
JULy
Summer in Iceland and Norway! Both are excellent for whale watching. If you like volcanic wastelands full of waterfalls and glaciers, Iceland is the place for you. If you prefer to see impressive fjords and kilometre-high cliffs, Norway is the place to be. There you can mainly see sperm whales, in Iceland mainly humpback, fin and minke whales, in the west also orcas and sperm whales. Alternative: California is beautiful all year round, but in summer you can see lots of different whales, including blue whales!
AUGUST
The perfect time for Greenland! Travel by boat between gigantic icebergs – accompanied by humpback and fin whales. Not quite as cold but also full of glaciers: Alaska! On a boat tour through the magical Inside Passage, you can encounter orcas and humpback whales. Alternative: In Argentina, the massive right whales are now breaching very close to the coast.
SEPTEMBER
September is the ideal time to spot orcas and bears on Vancouver Island! Telegraph Cove in the far north is often referred to as the "orca capital of the world". And rightly so! At the same time in Australia: Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to the northern coasts of Western and Eastern Australia to breed. Perhaps the best place to see baby humpback whales splash around: Hervey Bay in Queensland.
October
Each year, more than 400,000 people travel to South Africa to observe the southern right whales. They are most frequently encountered between July and October. As they often come very close to the coast, they can also be seen very well from land. Fun fact: In Hermanus there is a "whale crier" whose job it is to blow a horn whenever a right whale is spotted.
NOVEMBER
In the land of kangaroos and koalas, you can now enjoy excellent whale watching – especially humpback whales, right whales and blue whales. The humpbacks are already on their way back to Antarctica in November, but you can still meet them on the southern east coast. In the far south, you will mainly encounter right and blue whales. Good alternative: In New Zealand, the peak season for sperm whale watching begins, while in California it's mainly grey and blue whales that can be seen now.
DEcEMBER
If you like it warm and cosy in winter, you should simply follow the grey whales to Mexico: Between December and April, they give birth to their young in the warm, shallow bays of Baja California. Those who prefer a cold and snowy winter will have to choose between Norway and Iceland: Here you can combine winter whale watching with aurora safaris, a fantastic combination! The most likely whales here and there are orcas and humpback whales.
PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE
Over 15 million people go whale watching every year – and this number is increasing year by year. Seeing the giants of the sea seems to be a dream come true for many. If whale watching is done right, it can be an unforgettable moment – and also an eye-opener. Because sometimes people need to see something with their own eyes to really understand it. To develop an awareness. Compassion. Concern. Maybe even love. People protect what they love.
ACTing RESPONSIBLY
It is always best to watch whales from land. And this is very well possible in many places around the world. If you still want to board a boat, you should make sure you choose a responsible operator. One that puts the whales first – not the money and not the best possible photo for your social media. You could and should learn something on a good whale tour. Have a moment to think. Be inspired. And ideally also pick up a few ideas on what you can do in your everyday life to better protect whales and their habitat.
HAPPY WHALE WATCHING
There are over 80 different species of whales and dolphins in the world. And you can find them in over 100 countries. With whaletrips.org we try to bring together the best information about whale watching: We focus on the most interesting whales, the best places and the best time to encounter them. We hope this site is a good first inspiration for an unforgettable trip. Happy whale watching and have a whale of a time!
With greetings from the road
Greeting Cards
Three colourful whales in a set, designed for us by Tobi Lange. To hang up, display, give away and send home from on the road. Also check out our other greeting cards and stickers!
The best facts for on the go
Travel Notes
The most important whale information for on the go, with plenty of space for your own notes: our TRAVEL NOTES are the ideal companion for your next whale watching trip.
For all thoughts, big or small
Notes
The perfect place for wonderful memories and great thoughts: our NOTES are an elegant notebook for all situations, whether you're travelling, in a café or at home.
