Due to the fact that whale watching is still a newly developing area of interest for many whale enthusiasts and countries around the world it can sometimes be difficult or confusing to figure out where the best whale watching locations are and why, especially if you are new to the whole whale watching scene.
To give you a better idea of where your best opportunities are for going whale watching is we’ll provide you with some of the best known places in the world to go whale watching, then we’ll explore the topic of whale watching itself in more detail.
Best whale watching destinations
- Boston, MA
- Cape Cod, MA
- Hawaii
- Hervey Bay, AU
- Long Beach, CA
- Long Island, N.Y.
- Los Angeles, CA
- Maine
- Maui, HI
- Monterey Bay, CA
- Newport Beach, CA
- New York
- Provincetown, MA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Nova Scotia, CDN
- Oregon
United States
Boston
Boston is a popular tourist attraction for those who enjoy many different activities including learning about historical landmarks, visiting amazing museums, eating great food and of course going whale watching.
In fact whale watching has become extremely popular in Boston and there are many different tour boats and companies to choose from.
Off the shores of boston you’ll be able to spot several different popular species of whale living and feeding in their natural habitat.
Some of these popular whales include the humpback whale, finback whale, minke whale and pilot whale.
Cape Cod
If you love to go whale watching then Cape Cod is one of the best and most popular locations to go whale watching around the world.
Those who visit Cape Cod can enjoy watching a variety of whales and other aquatic marine mammals living in their natural habitat.
Some of these amazing marine mammals include the humpback whale, finback whale, north Atlantic right whale, sei whale, minke whale, long finned pilot whale, killer whale Atlantic white sided dolphin, short-beaked common dolphin and risso’s dolphin.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most popular and well-known destinations in the world offering residents and visitors lot’s of beautiful outdoor living, an amazing culture and a safe haven for those who love water sports.
Located in the pacific ocean those who come to Hawaii can enjoy naturally scenery, warm temperate weather and tons of public beaches, which make for a great surfing or whale watching experience.
Every year thousands of humpback whale travel through the pacific waters on their way back to their homeland and offer whale watchers an amazing viewing experience.
When it comes to beautiful weather, clear waters and whale watching Hawaii has it all.
Long Beach
With a population of over 460,000 people Long Beach, CA, is a tropical paradise for both its visitors and residents.
Located 22 miles south of downtown Los Angeles getting to long beach is fairly quick and easy.
Long beach is 50 square miles of fun for those who enjoy fun beach activities and spending time outdoors.
Wine drinking, helicopter rides, cruises, shopping and Disney Land resort destinations are just a few of the many amenities found on this exotic playground.
And for those who enjoy marine life it also happens to be the home of the largest marina system in the country.
Those who come to long beach will be glad to know that there are several whale watching tour companies around who do a great job of educating their passengers about the history of long beach and its marine life.
Some of the marine life found in long beach include the blue whale, gray whale, finback whale, minke whale, humpback whale, sperm whale, killer whale, common bottlenose dolphin, pacific white sided dolphin and risso’s dolphin.
If you’re a whale lover or just want to go whale watching for the day long beach is sure to please.
Long Island
For those who are either traveling to or live in Long Island, New York the state of New York offers a great experience for people who are fans of whale watching or for those who just want to learn more about these amazing majestic animals.
When it comes to whale watching in Long Island there is one particular location that stands out in the Suffolk county area known as Montauk.
In fact Montauk has been one of the most popular areas to go whale watching in New York for several years as these marine mammals frequent these waters on a yearly basis.
There are currently around 25 different species of whale that visit the waters in and around Montauk during the summer – fall season which may include whales such as the humpback whale, sperm whale, fin whale, North Atlantic right whale, sei whale, blue whale, pilot whale and a variety of dolphins and porpoises.
For those looking to spot these amazing creatures the best time of the year to go whale watching is between July – September when they come to feed on a variety of fish and other marine life.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most populous and popular locations for travelers all over the world.
This ethnically and economically diverse state is a metropolis for businesses, culture, education, entertainment, fashion, international trade, media, science, sports and technology.
It also happens to be one of the few locations in the world where whale watchers can enjoy whale watching 365 days a year.
Some of the various whale and dolphin species you may encounter while taking a whale watching tour in California may include the blue whale, gray whale, finback whale, minke whale, humpback whale, sperm whale, killer whale, common bottlenose dolphin, pacific white sided dolphin and risso’s dolphin.
Because California hosts such a diverse variety of marine mammals, touring companies and year-long whale watching excursions this remains one of the best places to go for whale watching fans throughout the world.
Maine
Those who come to Maine quickly realize there is a lot to explore here.
Bordered by the atlantic ocean Maine is well-known for their outdoor living and oceanic lifestyle and is a great place to go for those who enjoy fishing and going whale watching.
In fact Maine is home to some of the largest and most well-known species of whale including the humpback whale, finback whale, north atlantic right whale and minke whale.
Beyond whale watching Maine also offers residents and visitors plenty of outdoor activities, a great dining experience, art & entertainment, shopping and beautiful agriculture.
If you’re looking for a great place to relax, go whale watching and take in the scenery Maine may just be the place for you.
Maui
Year after year Maui continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations for folks looking to enjoy some of the best outdoor lifestyle and nightlife Hawaii has to offer.
Known for its beautiful Hawaiian landscapes, loving historical culture, warming outdoor beaches and entertaining nightlife Maui combines the right elements for the perfect vacation and those who are looking to find the perfect place to get away often find themselves visiting the island of Maui.
Maui also happens to be an amazing place to go whale watching where tourists and locals can spot thousands of humpback whale migrating through Maui’s oceans each and every year.
If you love the ocean, love amazing outdoor scenery and love whale watching you just might want to book a trip to Maui.
Montery Bay
Surrounded by the pacific ocean Monterey Bay is located along the central coast of california.
Monterey Bay is a great place to go whale watching and offers its visitors and residents many opportunities to enjoy a variety of aquatic/marine life found along the coast and in the ocean.
Some of the most popular marine species found here include Gray whales, humpback whale, Blue whales and killer whale.
Monterey Bay also happens to be a popular location for those who enjoy laying out on the beach and taking diving lessons.
If you enjoy beautiful ocean sights, laying on the beach and whale watching Monterey Bay is a great option.
Newport Beach
Newport harbor is the home of eight surrounding islands which include Bay Island, Collins Island, Harbor Island, Lido Isle, Linda Isle, Little Balboa Island, and Newport Island.
Both residents and visitors who come to Newport beach will have no shortage of outdoor activities, one of which includes whale watching.
There are plenty of trails for those who enjoy walking and/or cycling, 6 miles of beaches for surfers and beach bums, and several different parks located throughout Newport where family and friends can go to relax and have fun.
Surrounded by water Newport beach is a gateway for marine mammals and aquatic life and is home to the largest marina system in the country.
The sea food is amazing and the whale watching locations are even better.
If you enjoy outdoor living and are a fan of whale watching than Newport beach just might have what you’re looking for.
New York
Whale watching continues to be a fast growing industry throughout the world and New York is no exception.
Whether you’re a seasoned whale watcher or this is your first time you can be sure to find a wide variety of whales swimming near the coast feeding and migrating through the Atlantic waters of New York and Long Island.
While there are several areas throughout New York you can go to hop on a tour boat those looking to get the best opportunities for whale spotting will likely want to visit Montauk which is located in Long Island.
July – September tends to be the best time to go whale watching as these large mammals travel through the Atlantic ocean migrating and consuming a variety of fish and other aquatic species.
Some of the most popular whales that can be found swimming throughout these waters includes the blue whale, sperm whale, fin whale and humpback whale.
You’ll also find a variety of dolphins and porpoises swimming throughout the Atlantic ocean during this time of year.
Provincetown
Provincetown is one of Cape Cod’s most popular tourist locations and is a part of New England town located at the tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
This town offers it’s visitors and residents a great opportunity to spot some amazing whales who swim in and around the Cape Cod and Boston areas.
In fact those who come to Provincetown can enjoy local shopping in a fun town, great views of the ocean, pleasant beaches, tons of fishing, great dinning and of course whale watching.
The people are great, the hotels are nice and the whales are amazing!
San Diego
According to the U.S. history of whale watching San Diego just might be considered the farther of U.S. whale watching.
In the 1950’s the Carbillo National Monument in San Diego was declared the first public place to observe gray whales in their natural habitat.
The first tourist boat rides also began in San Diego and cost tourists $1 to take a boat trip into the ocean for an opportunity to see these majestic creatures up close.
Since then whale watching has become an annual billion dollar tourism business employing thousands of workers throughout the world and serving millions of whale watchers each and every year.
San Francisco
Home to over 800,000 people San Francisco has a lot to offer its visitors and residents in terms of entertainment and a quality lifestyle.
This city has everything from great dinning and nightlife to shopping, arts, culture, museums and of course whale watching.
With so many great things going on here it’s hard to not fall in love with this city.
Whether you grew up here, moved here or are just visiting San Francisco has it all!
Oh and did we mention it also happens to be one of the few places around the world that offers year round whale watching tours.
Seattle
Seattle is home to over 600,000 local residents and is one of the United States major coastal seaports.
Well known for its jazz, rock and indie history Seattle also happens to be a great place to enjoy some good seafood and go whale watching.
One of the most popular known whales (actually dolphins) to travel through the waters around Seattle is the killer whale.
For those who enjoy the culture of seattle and love going whale watching April – September are some of the best months to get your binoculars and call a tour company if you want to spot these majestic animals.
Australia
Hervey bay
Australia is home to one of the most popular whale watching tourism industries in the world.
Every year thousands of people travel to Australia for an opportunity to observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat as well as to enjoy the beautiful beaches and nightlife of this amazing country.
Hervey Bay is located in Queensland, Australia and is the major tourist location in Australia for those who love to go whale watching.
Every year between April and October thousands of humpback whale travel to Hervey Bay to relax, play and rejuvenate before heading back to Antarctica.
In addition to the amazing whale watching experiences found at Hervey Bay this location also happens to be an excellent getaway and vacation spot for those who want to forget about their daily lives and enjoy the warm weather and beautiful beaches with activities that include fishing, kayaking, snorkelling, yachting, diving, wind surfing and jet skiing.
If you’ve always wanted to travel to Australia and enjoy whale watching Hervey Bay is the place to be.