At this time of year, whales of all kinds migrate north from antarctica along Australia's east and west coastlines to breed and mate in the warm waters, where do these gentle "ocean giants" go to see? TripAdvisor will bring you this whale watching guide today. Although this experience is suitable for all ages, it is still necessary to remind the friends on the way to whale watching that the whale watching in reality may not be as you wish in the movie, be sure to calm down, wear a raincoat, be prepared for anti-seasickness measures, and patiently wait for the surprise of the whale jumping out of the water!
Advantage: The closest whale watching spot to home
Whale watching time: early April to the end of October
Kuroshio is the world's second largest ocean current, with warm tropical currents passing through the eastern seas, bringing the abundant nutrient salts of the seabed to the water, attracting whales and dolphins to hunt here. Among the many whale watching ports in the east, Hualien Fishing Port is the most mature. From the beginning of April to the end of October every year, whale migration occurs, there is a high chance of seeing sperm whales and killer whales, and the weather and sea conditions are stable, and it is not easy to get seasick if you go to sea. Depending on the weather and sea conditions, whale watching routes are available. The red lighthouse in Hualien Harbor, the cliffs of Qingshui Cliffs, and the sunset on the sea of Qixingtan are definitely additional surprises on the trip.
Advantage: Listen to sperm whales singing
Whale watching: April to September
Okinawa, Japan, is well known to be an excellent whale watching spot, and every winter when you go to sea, you have a high probability of witnessing whales. But few people may know that Rausu-chong, located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, is also the best time for whale watching in summer and autumn. In summer, the sea is full of killer whales and porpoises, and in autumn, it is also a paradise for sperm whales to play. From the small town of Utoro, there are many companies to choose from, such as special brown bear observation routes, dolphin chase routes, etc. If you want whale watching, you should start from Rausu Port on the east side of the Shiretoko Peninsula.
Advantage: Whale watching at any time
Whale watching hours: all year round
Whales are seen in Sri Lanka all year round, and the chance of seeing them is as high as 90%. Whales pass by every year in Kalpitiya and mirissa on the west coast from November to April, and in tricomalee on the east coast from June to September. Whatever season you visit Sri Lanka, you'll encounter whale sights here, and if you're lucky, you'll encounter schools of dolphins and schools of fish along the way. Sri Lanka's whale watching industry is mature and easy to book, usually with local hotels or travel agencies, or online in advance. Usually there will be boats going to sea at 6 am and 1 pm, the sailing time is about 3-5 hours, depending on the size of the boat, the price is slightly different.
Advantage: Great place to see the southern right whales
Whale watching: June to December
The coast around Cape Town is a great destination for whale watching on land, and every year from June to December, Antarctic whales swim to this nearby water to give birth and stay for a while before returning to the Antarctic, while the town of Hermanus on the east side of Cape Town is named "Whale Watching Town" because of the whales that can be seen off the coast, and the "Hemanus Whale Festival" is held here every September. The town's coast is considered one of the best places in the world to see southern right whales, especially in July and August, when the breeding season of southern right whales is peak, when Hermanus gathers whale watchers from all over the world to catch a glimpse of these sea giants and, if you are lucky, you can see the newborn whale cubs following their mothers.
Advantage: Whale watching among glaciers
Whale watching: May-August
Greenland is the largest island in the world, and if you want to have an extraordinary experience, don't miss out on whale watching. The oceans around Greenland are home to flawless glaciers and precious marine life, including 15 species of whales alone. Whether you're traveling to Greenland in winter or summer, you'll be able to see whales. In winter, you can spot 3 species of whales: narwhals, beluga whales and bowhead whales, while summer is the best time to see whale watching, including humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales and fin whales, which sometimes feed in the waters close to the town. Usually visitors can depart by boat from towns such as Nuuk, Keketa Suvak and Ashiat.
Advantage: Up to 95% chance of whale watching
Whale watching time: Mid-to-late April to mid-to-late October
Seattle's famous whale watching spot is San Juan Island, if you participate in a one-day whale watching group, it takes about 3 hours from the Seattle pier to arrive, you can also drive to San Juan first, there are many whale watching boat programs in the area. The docents on board will explain the local history and culture during the whale hunt and introduce the various birds in the trees on the shore. Local whale watching boats inform each other and share information as soon as the whales are spotted. San Juan Island's port is called Friday Harbor, and if you have enough time, you can enter this quiet and comfortable town from the port, where you can visit the small shops and eat a seafood feast. There is a whale museum in the town, which displays whale skeletons, introduces various whale knowledge, and has a lot of cute whales for sale.
Advantage: Annual return trip of humpback whales
Whale watching: Mid-July to late November
The calm waters of Hervey Bay are a must-stop for humpback whales to move south to Antarctica with their babies every year. Every year in mid-July, whales arrive here with their babies until around the end of November, when friends in Brisbane can take a whale watching trip. Hervey Bay provides the best haven for humpback whales on their way to migrate, where they play, socialize, give birth, incubate their pups, and perform whale signature moves such as water spraying, backflips, jumps, hand-down tail swings and more. Between July and August, the Hervey Bay Whale Festival also hosts concerts, street parades and educational exhibitions to celebrate the annual return of humpback whales.
Advantage: The only sea where a large number of whale sharks are found
Whale watching: April to July
Ningaloo Reef in Exmouth is the only area where whale sharks are abundant every year, and whale sharks come here every year from April to July to hunt for krill and plankton, and Ningaloo Reef is the largest skirt reef in the world, a diving destination with the Great Barrier Reef, where you can experience the opportunity to swim with giant whale sharks.
Advantage: Watch killer whale hunting up close
Whale watching: Mid-June to October
In the waters of the Johnstone Strait Robson Bay Ecological Reserve in B.C., there are many killer whales, which grow shark-like tall and erect back ridges, black and white dazzling markings, and have a high IQ equivalent to 15-year-old humans, making them the strongest creatures in the ocean. The Johnstone Strait, which borders Haida Guay, is the best whale watching season here from mid-June to October, when more than 200 killer whales prey on the area, the world's largest population of killer whales. Book a professional whale watching tour operator early and kayak in the middle of the isolated sea to see killer whales up close, an adventure like no other in the world.
Advantage: See the world's largest whale
Located more than 200 kilometers north of Quebec City, the small town of Tadoussac has long been hailed as "one of the best whale watching sites in the world". The riverbed connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Lawrence River suddenly rises here, and the river suddenly narrows, so many fish and shrimp are pushed from the bottom of the river to the surface of the river. Several species of whales come from the Atlantic Ocean every summer to enjoy a meal, including the blue whale, the world's largest whale. Whale watching can often be seen on a boat in Tadusak, and you can watch the giant whales in all directions on a spacious and ultra-modern cruise ship or a zodiac whale watching boat. You can also use the underwater camera on board to observe the underwater creatures, and even hear the whales singing with the help of the instrument.
Pros: Frolic with the "Smiling Angel"
Whale watching: July-August
Every year from July to August, flocks of beluga whales gather at the mouth of the Churchill River with their families to play, numbering as many as 3,000. Beluga whale swarms are excited when they enter the estuary, and although they have made a long-distance migration, they do not seem to be tired at all. In addition to constantly "communicating" with a melodious singing voice, he also plays with his wide tail leaves and plays against stones or water plants. It is recommended to join the tour to see the beluga whales, and under the guidance of professionals, you can ride between the beluga whales in a kayak and listen to the magnificent symphony of the beluga whales.
Advantage: Aerial photography of the Great Migration of Gray Whales
Whale watching: March to April
Tofino is a quiet town at the westernmost tip of Vancouver Island, with a permanent population of just over 2,000, but it is known worldwide for its grand whale migration, and has been named the best place to visit in spring by National Geographic Traveler several times. Every year in March or April, the planet's most spectacular whale migration begins. At that time, about 17,000 gray whales will transit through Tofino and return to the Arctic from their winter home, the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. In Addition, in March, the Pacific Coast Whale Festival is held here, where you can join local residents to watch flocks of grey whales, growing humpback whales and sedentary killer whales, as well as take part in a wealth of whale-related activities.
Advantage: See the rarest long-lived whale
Whale watching: Mid-July to mid-September
Digbineck is a peninsula in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia that runs deep into the Bay of Fundy, home to some of the world's most violent tides, and the tumbling waters can roll up huge amounts of fish and shrimp, attracting a variety of whales, including the very rare right whale. Humans don't know much about the lifespan of right whales, but the available data suggest that their longevity is at least comparable to that of humans. When these hundreds of tons of big guys jumped up at sea level with a thousand momentum, bringing a mist of water, everyone was so excited that they could not speak. After whale watching, you can also take a spin around the island, and the Bay of Fundy has the highest tide in the world, which is spectacular. When the waves recede, they will leave a large number of shells on the shore that are as white as snow for you to pick up as a souvenir.
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【No watermark image from Figureworm Creative】