Whale Watching Holidays

Whales are categorised into two groups; toothed whales (Odontoceti) that feed on fish, squid, and marine mammals and include sperm whale, killer whale and beluga whale; and baleen whales (Mysticeti)  which are made up of filter feeders such as the blue whale, humpback whale, grey whale and southern right whale, that strain seawater through sieve-like structures in their mouth to collect plankton and krill.

Ranging in size from the blue whale, the largest animal in existence, to the 3.5-metre-long pygmy sperm whale, whales are found in all the world’s great oceans in their millions, where they migrate immense distances between their feeding grounds and breeding grounds. Occurring in locations as diverse as the nutrient-rich icy waters around the polar icecaps to the balmy shallows around the equator, they really are universal travellers.

Blue whale

The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest animal in existence, measuring up to 33 metres in length. It has a long tapering body, a flat U-shaped head, and a prominent ridge that runs from its blowhole to the top of its upper lip.

Blue whale sightings are particularly reliable in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, on our Baja's Ultimate Whale Safari and in Canada on our Whales of Tadoussac & Saguenay Fjord trip. We also recommend our Whales & Dolphins of Antarctica & the Chilean Fjords voyage, New Zealand's Fiordland Wildlife Cruise and Around Spitsbergen expedition to the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic.

Sperm whale

The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) has a large head that can measure up to one third of its length. A bull sperm whale can grow up to 20.5 metres long – which makes it the largest living toothed animal. 

Kalpitiya, on the west coast of Sri Lanka, is a reliable location to see sperm whales - they arrive here to feed on the abundant food between February and April, when the sea is relatively calm. In Kaikoura on the South Island of New Zealand, they can be seen year-round feeding in the deep Hikurangi trench. Closer to home the Azores boast a resident population - we have a popular Whales & Dolphins of the Azores small group tour or join a team of researchers on a sperm whale conservation trip in the Azores.

Humpback whale

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is easily identified by its long pectoral fins and knobbly head. Highly acrobatic, they're known as the whale watchers whale. Visit Gorda Banks in Baja for breaches, Alaska for bubble-net feeding or the Antarctic Circle for lunge feeding. Elsewhere in the world you can self-drive Newfoundland for huge gatherings, visit breeding grounds in Hawaii or snorkel with them in the Dominican Republic and Tonga. 

Fin whale

The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is the second largest animal on the planet after the blue whale. Fin whales are found in the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Mexico, where you may get sightings from aboard a specialist catamaran that sails the migratory paths of various whales in search of close encounters. 

Fin whales can also be found in the waters of the mid-Atlantic around the archipelago of the Azores, which are home to – or visited by - a surprising number of whale and dolphin species.

Other whale species

With around 90 species of cetaceans recognised worldwide, we can’t list them all, but special mention should go to a select few. It would be remiss to exclude speedy sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), the third-largest whale in the world after blue whales and fin whales. For a chance of seeing them, head to the Azores in spring, Chile or the Falkland Islands.

Common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), their comparatively small cousins, reach just nine metres in length and can frequently be seen in Svalbard and rather wonderfully, off UK shores too in the Isle of Mull or The Shetland Islands. You can even sea-kayak with them in Quebec.

Finally, celebrate the deep divers, beaked whales and pilot whales who hunt at almost inconceivable depths. For the former, voyage through Hawaii or off New Zealand’s south coast, and for the latter, try Iceland’s Snaefellsness Peninsula and southern Svalbard in summer.

Grey whale

The grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is slate-grey in colour, covered by characteristic grey-white patterns caused by scars left by parasites. In maturity, a grey whale can reach a weight of up to 40 tonnes. Between January and March, the majority of the world’s population of grey whales congregates in the shallow lagoons along Mexico’s Baja California coast – their breeding grounds. You can join our Ultimate Whale Safari or Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon for unforgettable encounters with these friendly whales.

In summer, self-drive Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island’s west coast where some grey whales feed on rich plankton. Further north, combine them with bald eagles and bears in Alaska.

Orca (Killer whale)

Despite its name, the killer whale (Orcinus orca) or orca is the largest species of oceanic dolphin. Seek them in Canada during a self-drive, liveaboard or kayaking holiday in the Johnstone Strait and Queen Charlotte Strait separating British Colombia from Vancouver Island. 

Further south, visit Argentina’s Peninsula Valdes, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. Combine spectacular scenery and big cats with the chance to observe intentional stranding on our Patagonia’s Pumas & Orcas small group tour. Alternatively, tailormake your own adventure exploring Patagonia’s Marine Life.

Closer to home, Norway and Iceland provide great opportunities to view orcas with the Northern Lights or take things one step further and swim with killer whales in Norway, sharing their natural habitat through in-water encounters. What a privilege!

Southern right whale

Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) are huge rotund creatures, and one of the largest whales in the world’s oceans. They are easily recognised by their lack of a dorsal fin, stubby square-ended flippers, and callosities – unusual wart-like growths – on the head.

Every year they migrate from their icy feeding grounds off Antarctica to warmer climates to breed. Reaching both Argentina and South Africa in July, they mate and calve off the Valdes Peninsula and Hermanus respectively, providing excellent sightings until November. Join us for a winning cetacean and Big Five extravaganza on South Africa’s Wildlife of Land & Sea or enjoy the freedom of incorporating Hermanus and the Garden Route’s marine wildlife on our South Africa Self-drive Adventure.

Beluga whale

Highly social, beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) have long been known as sea canaries due to their impressive repertoire of vocalisations. Often travelling in large pods, they're restricted to the high Arctic and are easily recognisable due to their white skin, bulbous melon and lack of dorsal fin. Sightings are often born from luck rather than skill, but to be in with a good chance visit Churchill in summer, or choose from voyages to Greenland, the Northwest Passage and Svalbard.