How many times have you planned to catch a glimpse of dolphins, whales or sharks when on a water expedition in a tropical location around the world? Every time, right? Engaging with marine life without harming them and experiencing the beauty of marine creatures in their natural habitat is one of the most treasured adventures in life. Most people get to see fins or tiny splashes in the water while catching a full jump is indelible! Today, we are talking about humpback whales and where you can do whale watching around the world.
8 Spots For Humpback Whale Watching In The World
1. Iceland
Wasn’t totally happy with my whales pics from tuesday, so I went back again. This angel gave me a great show for more than 4 hours.
(Humpback whale, Iceland) pic.twitter.com/hmyQyIpn4D— Phil Garcia | Iceland (@explographe) October 20, 2022
Ice, ice, baby! Iceland is perfect for krills to thrive in the world because they have access to perfect warm and cold water currents. It is said that if you spot krill, it is likely that there are whales as well. You can witness the fine humpback whales, minke whales, blue whales, dolphins, porpoises, orcas, harbour and more here. Capture the playfulness of humpback whales by watching them all around Iceland, both offshore and inshore.
2. Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
💙🐋Drone footage of mother and baby humpback whale in the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic🐋💙 pic.twitter.com/kNrer3GdFx
— 𝓚𝓪𝓩 🌻 (@kaz22532418) February 22, 2023
When travelling to the Caribbean you can’t miss exploring the Silver Bank as it happens to have the largest gatherings of Northern Atlantic humpback whales in the world! It is the only breeding zone for humpback whales where you can have an enchanting experience of swimming with majestic whales! Enjoy up-close encounters and colourful coral reefs as every year January to April, Silver Bank hosts whale watching.
3. Ningaloo Reef, Australia
Humpback whale injures Australian swimmer at Ningaloo Reef, reports say https://t.co/ZZcVH1gLqk pic.twitter.com/dBg8tPij1m
— Fabluc 🇧🇷🇺🇸🇮🇹🇮🇱🇬🇧 (@Fabiolucv) August 3, 2020
It is the largest fringing coral reef in the country and is listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As spring approaches in Australia from August onwards to October, you can witness thousands of beautiful humpback whales migrating. The place is inhabited by marine creatures like whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and more. Pack your swimming gear and get a chance to swim in the picturesque beauty of Perth along with ginormous whales.
4. Socorro, Mexico
“Interactions with momma and baby humpback whales are some of the most special experiences any diver could hope for.” IG user david_valencia_photography describing his dives on Socorro Island in Mexico. #whale #humpback pic.twitter.com/dpjNOE35o4
— Deep_sea_ (@deep_sea_ig) May 9, 2018
Visiting the Revillagigedo Island around January and March? Then you have to head over to Socorro! It is a volcanic island in the Revillagigedo archipelago where you can dive with stunning humpback whales. The whales at this spot in the world are migrating from Alaska. Hence, you may spot pods crossing between the marine park. Other than that, this location in the Pacific Ocean is full of rich marine life like mantas, tiger sharks, bottlenose dolphins and more.
5. Marino Ballena National Park, Costa Rica
The white baby Humpback Whale, born recently in Costa Rica, is making her way slowly down the coast pic.twitter.com/VLOy9gUM6q
— Alison (@alibarbiepro) October 17, 2022
The best place for humpback whale watching is at the Marino Ballena National Park. It is in a protected area where mating and calving happens so you will notice a bunch of them. Otherwise, the entire Costa Rica gets migration of humpbacks from Antarctica from July and November and in Alaska between December and March. Choose your travel months wisely!
6. Tonga
Love this pic by David Edgar of an adolescent humpback whale in the South Pacific, off the coast of Tonga! 💙🐋 pic.twitter.com/D5X4gDDJ8x
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) September 29, 2020
Travellers and adventure lovers from across the world book tickets to Tonga, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, just to see marvellous humpbacks! Here, you have the opportunity to free dive with these lively humpback pods in their naturalistic habitat with tranquil landscapes P.S. Tonga is quite viral on Instagram for its whales and in a year only 21 boats are given permits to explore the waters with these mammals!
7. Bazaruto & Quirimbas Islands, Mozambique
Happy hump(back) day! This incredible photo of a breaching humpback whale was taken off Mozambique, in Jangamo Bay Hope Spot. The region is a vital humpback breeding site and home to a breeding stock of almost 6,000 whales!
📸Danielle Da Silva pic.twitter.com/lOEAQuiQGv
— Mission Blue (@MissionBlue) October 4, 2023
No wonder the pristine white sand beaches of Africa’s Mozambique do attract tourists. However, it is from July to October that the Bazaruto and Quirimbas Islands house the splendid humpback whales. Sometimes you can watch them from the shore or take a boat out in the waters to see the wonderful humpback flips! It is going to be an unforgettable memory with great panoramic views.
8. French Polynesia
White “leucistic” humpback whale observed in Tahiti, French Polynesia https://t.co/Zi0uw5SPcS pic.twitter.com/JgTr5X35E3
— 𝕁𝕠𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟 𝕄𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕣 (@SharkMourier) July 25, 2019
If you are not aware then French Polynesia is a prominent breeding site for humpbacks. These are for the whales that migrate to the bit warmer temperatures of France where they breed and calf. So you may catch a glimpse of the mommy whales playfully taking care of their babies! Oh, the motherly love is so precious. Plan for French Polynesia from July to November.
Have a whale of a vacation and you are whale-come for these suggestions!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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