Top 5 Whale Watching Destinations
- Date: 2010-09-28 - Word Count: 360
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Whale watching is one of those awe-inspiring experiences you don't soon forget, but with so many different opportunities available around the world the question is where? Here are some of the best spots in the world to help you choose.
1. Kaikoura, New Zealand
The tiny town of Kaikoura on New Zealand's South Island is a world-renowned eco-tourism hotspot and a fantastic place to observe whales.
Best Time to go: Any time! The sperm whales here don't migrate so it's possible to see them all year round.
What you'll see: Sperm whales (this is one of the best locations in the world to see them), but also orca whales between December and March, and humpbacks between June and July.
2. Massachusetts, USA
The waters off Massachusetts, especially around Cape Cod are some of the most guaranteed places to sight whales.
Best Time to go: The best time to see them is between June and September.
What you'll see: Finback whales (the second largest whale species in the world), humpback whales, and sometimes minke.
3. Vancouver Island, Canada
Although the Johnstone Strait off the North-east of the island is one of the best places to view whales from a kayaking trip, there much more accessible opportunities in the waters of the south of the island. Victoria is one of the most popular launching points, but Vancouver and even Seattle are also excellent options.
Best Time to go: July through September is the peak season.
What you'll see: Killer whales (orcas) can be seen throughout the season but sometimes gray whales (in spring) or humpbacks (in fall) can also be spotted.
4. Hawaii, USA
Every winter Hawaii is visited by whales making their way from the northern Pacific down to these warmer waters to calf. This means that you have a great chance of seeing babies too! Whale watching tours are available from Maui, Oahu and Kona.
Best Time to go: January through to April is the best.
What you'll see: Humpback whales and their calves
5. Hermanus, South Africa
For some of the finest shore-based whale-watching opportunities in the world, head to Hemanus, in Walker Bay in South Africa, where you can view whales right from the cliffs.
Best Time to go: The season runs from July through to November.
What you'll see: Southern right whales.
1. Kaikoura, New Zealand
The tiny town of Kaikoura on New Zealand's South Island is a world-renowned eco-tourism hotspot and a fantastic place to observe whales.
Best Time to go: Any time! The sperm whales here don't migrate so it's possible to see them all year round.
What you'll see: Sperm whales (this is one of the best locations in the world to see them), but also orca whales between December and March, and humpbacks between June and July.
2. Massachusetts, USA
The waters off Massachusetts, especially around Cape Cod are some of the most guaranteed places to sight whales.
Best Time to go: The best time to see them is between June and September.
What you'll see: Finback whales (the second largest whale species in the world), humpback whales, and sometimes minke.
3. Vancouver Island, Canada
Although the Johnstone Strait off the North-east of the island is one of the best places to view whales from a kayaking trip, there much more accessible opportunities in the waters of the south of the island. Victoria is one of the most popular launching points, but Vancouver and even Seattle are also excellent options.
Best Time to go: July through September is the peak season.
What you'll see: Killer whales (orcas) can be seen throughout the season but sometimes gray whales (in spring) or humpbacks (in fall) can also be spotted.
4. Hawaii, USA
Every winter Hawaii is visited by whales making their way from the northern Pacific down to these warmer waters to calf. This means that you have a great chance of seeing babies too! Whale watching tours are available from Maui, Oahu and Kona.
Best Time to go: January through to April is the best.
What you'll see: Humpback whales and their calves
5. Hermanus, South Africa
For some of the finest shore-based whale-watching opportunities in the world, head to Hemanus, in Walker Bay in South Africa, where you can view whales right from the cliffs.
Best Time to go: The season runs from July through to November.
What you'll see: Southern right whales.
Related Tags: whale watching, whale watching tours, best whale watching
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