One of the things on many people’s “bucket list” is to whale watch and see some of these gentle, magnificent creatures in their natural habitats. It’s hard to really picture the sheer magnitude of their size or grasp the dynamics of the pod from video documentaries. Some things in life you just have to experience for yourself. While there are many places around the world to visit during whale watching season, you have to be careful that you’re not choosing an exploitative enterprise that will take you on a “whale chase,” more than a watch. It’s best to stay at least 300 feet from the pod and view from binoculars or let them come to you; but many operators, in their rush to provide the biggest thrill, take tourists on a sea-sickening journey that will threaten the psyche of the whales, not to mention the contents of your stomach!
Azores, an isolated Portuguese chain of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the best places for European whale watching. In the summer season, you will be able to see sperm whales and short-finned pilot whales, even though the very best time is from February to June, during which time you can see killer, humpback, fin, blue and sei whales, along with a few types of dolphins. Yet in the winter (November to January) there is not much opportunity to observe anything.
The location for Moby Dick was none other than America’s own Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In fact, through the course of the whaling industry’s prime, this Northeastern port was the place to be. Today the whale watch industry has taken over where whalers left off, carrying tourists by boat to see humpback whale pods, minke whales, pilot whales, right whales, sea turtles and dolphins. If you’re fortunate, throughout April, you might see the northern right whale, which is the most rare whale species on earth. Because the currents push food down from Nova Scotia, whales love to feed off the coasts of Boston, Provincetown, Plymouth and Barnstable. May through October is generally the ideal time frame to visit.
Dominica, one of the Caribbean islands, is known for its vibrant coral reefs, stunning aquatic life, and underwater hot springs. Vacationers traveling to Christopher Columbus’s paradise in the Lesser Antilles can spend their time on rainforest nature hikes and observing many of the rarest plants, animals and birds throughout the world. Dominica is said to be the only country in the world where sperm whales reside all year long. Every so often there are whale watch opportunities, and you’ll see breeding, migration and feeding of pygmy sperm whales and dwarf sperm whales, as well as killer, humpback and Bryde’s whales, dolphin species including spinner, common, Atlantic spotted and Risso’s and giant sea turtles. While tourists are almost certain to see something any time of the year, November to April offer the most wide ranging sightings and the winter is when you will see the most acrobatics as the humpback and sperm whales mate.
No discussion about the world’s whale watch capitals would be complete without mentioning Hermanus, South Africa. The best shore-based whale watching opportunities are located at Walker Bay, the southernmost tip of Africa, where whales leap out of the water, breach and fluke. Each year, Hermanus hosts a Whale Festival to celebrate the return of the southern right whales in May. Here they’ll mate and calve in the warm, shallow waters throughout the spring and summer, although the best time for viewing is in October. Travelers will enjoy Bryde’s, humpback and killer whale watching and, most commonly, southern right whales. With great restaurants, accommodations and local attractions, Hermanus is a great place to vacation.
Whale watching cruises offer travelers the opportunity to observe whales in their natural environment. Click here to discover some of the best places to go on a whale watch cruise.
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