~ Top 10 Places for Whale Watching ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Places for Whale Watching


1. Hawaii, USA   



Humpback whales are some of the most majestic creatures one can witness, and having the experience of seeing one breaching the water in its natural habitat is unparalleled. From December to early May, Hawaii is home to these giants after they travel 4,800 kilometres in less than two months time. They go to Hawaii to breed and give birth to a new generation in the warm, shallow island waters. The best time to visit to catch a glimpse and hear the songs of these giant mammals, called "kohola" by Hawaiians, is between January and early April when their numbers are at their highest. Whale-watching boat tours in the calm waters of the Auau Channel between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai are the best way for you to get up close and see one for yourself.

[MysteRy]

2. Cape Cod, USA   



Whale watching is one of the most popular summer pastimes for visitors to Cape Cod. Departing from Plymouth, Provincetown, or Barnstable Harbors practically guarantees a sighting. The whales - mostly minke, humpback and finback - congregate in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a favourite feeding ground full of plankton. These whales have even been known to rub up against the tour boats making for an even more thrilling whale-watching experience.  From April to October are the best months to spot whales there. You might catch one diving, holding its head upright (called spyhopping), or even breaching or blowing water out of its blowhole. A whale-watching tour off Cape Cod is sure to leave you with exciting memories, and maybe even a little wet if youre close enough to get sprayed!

[MysteRy]

3. Los Cabos, Mexico   



Los Cabos, on the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico is home to many whales that feed in northern waters when they migrate south each year. Gray whales make the longest journey of all - over 9,500 kilometres - from their summer homes in the Bering and Chukchi Seas between Siberia and Alaska. They begin arriving in Los Cabos in late December to enjoy the warm Mexican waters in the Sea of Cortez and to give birth to their young. Whale watchers taking a trip to Magdalena Bay will delight in seeing an affectionate mother whale frolicking with her newborn calf in the shallow lagoon. The gray whales are the most commonly sighted, but lucky whale watchers may see blue, humpback, sperm, Brydes, sei, fin and even orca in these waters.

[MysteRy]

4. Hervey Bay, Australia   



This city, 290 kilometres north of Brisbane, has an economy built on tourism, largely whale watching. So they know their tours. Hervey Bay commercial whale watching began 26 years ago when Brian and Jill Perry discovered whales in the calm waters of the Fraser Coast of Queensland. This whale watching company even has a specially designed vessel - the Quick Cat II - that ensures all hopeful whale watchers can catch a glimpse. Humpbacks are in abundance here in what is sometimes called the Whale Watching Capital of the World. Viewers may also encounter playful dolphins and seals from late July to late November when whale-watching season here is in full swing. A number of tour operators offer ½, ¾, or full-day tours and for the more committed, you can even book a 5-night whale and dolphin expedition.

[MysteRy]

5. Valdes Peninsula, Argentina   



Head south for some whale watching in Patagonia off the Valdes Peninsula, which offers more than just the occasional whale sighting. The wide array of marine life in this wildlife sanctuary ranges from sea lions to elephant seals to penguins and whales. Orcas (which are actually dolphins!) reside in these protected waters all year round, but there is also the chance of spotting the almost-extinct southern right whale. Orcas usually travel in packs and they like this area because of the abundance of food. In the southern part of the Valdes Peninsula is Puerto Piramides where whale watching tours depart for hour-long trips from May to December. The tour operators are government regulated and though some can get very close to the giant mammals, they do not disturb them. The area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and the whales and other mammals there can truly be seen in an undisturbed, natural habitat.

[MysteRy]

6. Alaska, USA   



As the waters in Mexico begin to warm up, whales start their northern migration, arriving in Alaska waters in April. From May through September whale watchers can witness gray and humpback whales, but Alaskan waters are also home to Beluga, blue, minke and killer whales (orcas). Visitors taking tours during April and May will catch sight of Gray whales, while Beluga whales can be seen all summer south of Anchorage. June and July are the best months to see humpback whales, followed by blue whales in July and August, mostly in open waters. Orcas abound in Resurrection Bay from May through June and minke whales and porpoises and dolphins are around between June and early September. Alaska has the longest and most diverse whale watching season, so whenever you visit, you wont be disappointed in the whale-watching opportunities.

[MysteRy]

7. Kaikoura, New Zealand



Whale watching is one of the most popular attractions in the waters off this peaceful New Zealand town. Kaikoura is unique for the options it presents whale watchers. You can take a marine tour to see the ever-present Giant Sperm whales. Seals, dolphins and albatross may also pop up, but the whales, including humpback, pilot, blue and southern right whales are the main draw. Orcas are also seen there, as well as the Hectors dolphin, the worlds rarest and smallest. But venturing into the waters by boat is not the only way to whale watch in Kaikoura. You can also book an air tour by plane, offering an even larger variety of possible whale sightings. Sperm whales, the most commonly sighted in this area can also be seen from a helicopter tour. In Kaikoura, you can see whales from the air for a unique full-length view of these impressive creatures.

[MysteRy]

8. The Azores



The beautiful Azores archipelago is home to six or seven different species of whale, which can be seen from the deck of a 12-metre catamaran called "Physeter". This whale-friendly tour will make you feel green as your tour fee funds the research of Whale Watch Azores. Sperm whales and short-finned pilot whales are the most commonly seen there. But there have also been sightings of blue, fin, sei, humpback, minke, Northern bottlenose, pygmy sperm and false killer whales. The waters there have also at times been home to beaked whales such as Sowerbys, Trues and Cuviers. The sperm whales have been thriving in this area because of the clean water and abundant food supplies. When feeding on giant squid they can dive down to depths of 2000 metres, remaining submerged for more than an hour - quite a feat! The whale watching season in the Azores is from May through October and is dictated by the weather, not the whale migrations. You are almost guaranteed a sighting, and usually of more than one species.

[MysteRy]

9. Hermanus, South Africa   



Whale watching at the seaside resort of Hermanus in Walker Bay, South Africa can be done from the safety of land, as opposed to venturing out into the water. A 12-kilometre trail atop a cliff that hugs the coastline from one side of the town to the other offers visitors numerous opportunities to spot whales in the nearby coves. Watchers can get within 20 metres of the whales, and rest comfortably on benches, or look through telescopes and read up on the whales on the information placards as they wander the path. Beginning in May, the southern right whales arrive in order to calve, and can be seen there through December, though the peak season is October. Humpbacks also pass through and Brydes whales can be seen year round, slightly farther away from the shore. Of course there are also whale watching boat-based tours in Walker Bay, so its up to you how to view them.

[MysteRy]

10. Brier Island, Nova Scotia, Canada   



The Brier Island Whale and Seabird Cruise is not only a whale watching experience, but you will also be part of the scientific surveying being carried out. Humpback, finback and right whales can be seen there from spring until late fall. Other species sighted there include minke, which are among the first to arrive in the spring, as well as the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, which is around during late summer and fall. Pilot, Beluga, sei, sperm whales and orcas have also been documented by the tours into Fundy Bay. Whales go there to calve and to feed in the Krill-rich waters. Some of the best whale watching in those waters occurs on foggy days, so dont let the weather change your mind. This is one of the most popular spots for whale watching with tours starting in early June. Reservations are recommended to ensure your spot on the boat!