Roam Glade Editorial · Updated November 2026
Whale watching is all about timing. Most large whales migrate between cold feeding grounds and warm breeding grounds, so the same bay can be full of whales one month and empty the next. A few places, such as Kaikōura and Monterey Bay, have whales all year.
Seasons below are typical. Sightings are never guaranteed; good operators will tell you their recent sighting rates.
Twelve Whale-Watching Spots
Húsavík, Iceland
April–October (best June–August)Humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins; occasionally blue whales in early summer.
Kaikōura, New Zealand
Year-roundSperm whales live off the coast all year thanks to a deep submarine canyon close to shore; humpbacks pass in winter (June–July), and dusky dolphins are common.
Hermanus, South Africa
June–November (peak September–October)Southern right whales come close to the shore to calve; watch from the cliff path or by boat.
Maui, Hawaii
December–April (peak January–March)Thousands of North Pacific humpbacks winter in the warm channels between Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.
Baja California Sur, Mexico
January–AprilGrey whales calve in the lagoons of San Ignacio and Magdalena Bay; some mothers approach small boats.
Monterey Bay, California
Year-roundGrey whales migrate past in winter and spring; humpbacks and blue whales feed in summer and autumn.
Tadoussac, Quebec, Canada
June–OctoberBelugas live year-round in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park; minke, fin, humpback and blue whales come in summer.
Vancouver Island and the Salish Sea
May–OctoberOrcas (resident and transient), humpbacks and grey whales, from Victoria, Telegraph Cove or Tofino.
The Azores, Portugal
April–October (blue whales mainly spring)Resident sperm whales, plus blue, fin and sei whales migrating in spring; land-based lookouts called vigias spot whales for the boats.
Northern Norway
Roughly November–JanuaryOrcas and humpbacks follow the herring into the fjords around Skjervøy and Tromsø, during the polar night.
Hervey Bay, Australia
July–OctoberHumpback whales rest in the sheltered bay on their southern migration.
Scotland's west coast
May–SeptemberMinke whales, basking sharks, dolphins and sometimes orcas around Mull and the Hebrides.
Tips for a Good Trip
- Choose a responsible operator that follows a recognised code of conduct and keeps a respectful distance.
- Morning trips are often calmer; if you get seasick, take medication before boarding and stay on deck.
- Dress warmly even in summer; it's cold on the water in Iceland, Canada and Norway.
- Book a flexible ticket. Many operators offer a free second trip if you see no whales.
- Try from land. Clifftop lookouts in Hermanus, Maui and the Azores cost nothing.
Questions People Ask
Where is the best place in the world to go whale watching?
It depends on the species and the month. Kaikōura in New Zealand has sperm whales year-round, Húsavík in Iceland runs humpback trips from April to October, Baja California's lagoons offer close encounters with grey whales in winter, and Maui is the place for humpbacks from December to April.
Can I see whales from land?
Yes, in some places. In Hermanus, South Africa, you can watch southern right whales from the cliff path, and in Maui humpbacks are often visible from the shore in winter.
How do I choose a responsible whale-watching tour?
Choose operators that follow a recognised code of conduct (such as the WiSe scheme in the UK or Whale SENSE in the US) or are licensed by the local authority, keep their distance, limit time with each group of whales and don't chase animals.
Pair a whale trip with an easy walk: easy hikes in Iceland or New Zealand's South Island. See the full nature calendar for every month.