16 Best Beaches in the World for Whale Watching
Years ago, I went on a whale-watching boat tour off the coast of San Diego, California. Once we got out to sea, we saw incredible sights– a feeding frenzy with hundreds of dolphins and a young humpback whale swimming gently near the boat. It was a magical experience, but the one downside was the choppy boat ride and the seasickness I experienced nearly the whole time.
Thankfully, there are locations around the world where you don’t even have to leave the shore to witness magnificent whales breaching the water’s surface, spraying water from their blowholes, and diving back down with a powerful flick of their tails.
During migration seasons, whales cruise by certain coastlines, making them visible from specific beaches. The secret is knowing where to be and when. Add these spots to your travel list to see whales in their natural habitat!
1. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas is more than a popular spring break destination with clear blue waters stretching endlessly. Cabo is also a hotspot where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, making it a perfect place for whales to come in huge numbers.
During winter, up to 18,000 humpback whales can be spotted here. In peak season (December to April), these whales often come close to shore, displaying playful behaviors like splashing and breaching.
➡️ Book the Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Tour here!
2. Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa
Hermanus isn’t just any beach—it’s the Whale Capital of South Africa! It sits on Walker Bay, a favorite feeding ground for Southern Right Whales. These gentle giants come close to shore during the breeding season (June to November), especially near Voëlklip and Grotto beaches.
The town takes its whale obsession seriously with a Whale Crier who blows a special horn to alert everyone when a whale is spotted! Plus, the annual Whale Festival in September/October celebrates these magnificent creatures.
➡️ Book the Best Whale Watching from Hermanus
3. Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui’s beaches offer a front-row seat to the greatest whale show on Earth! Thousands of humpback whales travel to Maui’s temperate waters to birth their calves between December and May, turning the Auau Channel into a giant whale nursery.
You don’t even need a boat (although those tours are pretty awesome, too). Between catching rays and sipping on tropical drinks, you might just see a mama whale teaching her baby how to breach!
➡️ Book the Maui Whale-Watching Tour
4. Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Churchill is all about beluga whale watching! Every summer, over 57,000 beluga whales, known as the “canaries of the sea,” gather in Hudson Bay near Churchill.
From June to September, you can see these curious whales right from the shore or take a boat tour to hear their amazing underwater orchestra of clicks, whistles, and chirps.
➡️ Book the Subarctic Discovery: Churchill Beluga Whales here!
5. Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Want to cross spotting a blue whale off your bucket list? Head to Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, one of the best places to see whales from the shore.
Between November and April, these gentle giants cruise by, and with a little patience and some binoculars, you might spot the biggest animal on the planet. For guaranteed close-up views, take a whale-watching tour and enjoy a 98% success rate in seeing these majestic creatures.
➡️ Book the Whales and Dolphins Watching Tour in Mirissa, here!
6. Saguenay, St. Lawrence Marine Park, Canada
You’re in for a whale-watching treat in Saguenay, St. Lawrence Marine Park! With 13 different species, including belugas, minke whales, and the enormous blue whale, you can spot these sea giants right from the shore.
Enjoy the stunning scenery of rugged cliffs, lush forests, and the freshwater fjord meeting the saltwater river. Wildlife, scenery, and fresh air make for an unforgettable adventure!
➡️ Book the Full-Day Whale Watching Cruise here!
7. San Juan Island, Washington, USA
Spotting whales in the San Juan Islands is like stepping into a real-life documentary about Orcas. Lime Kiln State Park is one of the greatest locations in the world to see killer whales from land.
These striking black and white sea animals are often near the shore, so you might spot them spouting and breaching right from the beach! Spend a day here, and you have over a 50% chance of spotting a whale, with humpbacks, minke whales, and gray whales also making appearances.
➡️ Book the half-day whale-watching cruise in San Juan Island here!
8. Pico Island, Azores
Pico Island has a dramatic volcanic landscape and pristine shores—the black lava stone houses against the deep blue of the Atlantic create a unique backdrop. Over 20 species of whales and dolphins call these waters home, making it one of the best whale watching spots in the world!
There’s always a chance to see some amazing wildlife. Peak season is between March and May when sperm whales are around, but from summer to fall, you might spot dolphins, fin whales, or even blue whales!
➡️ Book the Whale Watching Tour in Pico Island here!
9. Monterey Bay, California, USA
Monterey Bay’s soft sand, sparkling water, and stunning scenery make for a great vacation. But it’s the all-you-can-eat buffet of plankton, krill, and anchovies that keep the whales coming back all year round. Unlike most places, you don’t have to wait for a specific season to see whales here.
Humpback and blue whales are practically permanent residents, and depending on the time of year, you might spot gray whales, minke whales, or even the occasional sperm whale!
➡️ Book the Monterey Whale Watching Tour here!
10. Nuquí, Colombia
Some say Nuquí, Colombia, is a great place to see whales while connecting with nature and exploring a lesser-known corner of the world. Every year, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Colombia’s warm Pacific waters to breed and give birth. Nuquí and nearby Playa Guachalito offer prime spots to witness this natural spectacle.
The calm waters here make it easy to spot these marine mammals from the beach or on a boat tour. Visit between July and October for the best chance to witness humpback whales breaching and nurturing their young.
➡️ Book the Whale Watching in Nuqui here!
11. Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand
Who could resist postcard-worthy sand beaches, turquoise waters, and snow-capped mountains in the distance? That’s Kaikoura! But the coolest part is that whales practically hang out at the beach here.
Sperm whales, the biggest toothed predators on Earth, cruise year-round. You can spot these 50-ton, 65-foot-long giants right from the shore!
➡️ Book the Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat here!
12. Langley, Whidbey Island, Washington, USA
Langley is a beautiful beach town, and Whidbey Island is a super lucky spot for whale watchers! Two different kinds of whales visit here every year. From late February to early June, you might spot a gray whale.
There’s even a special brass whale bell at Seawall Park that you can ring if you spot one! Then, from late summer to December, keep your eyes peeled for orcas, including the Southern Resident Orcas that call these waters home.
13. Husavik, Iceland
Prepare to be wowed in Husavik, the Whale Capital of Iceland! Skjálfandi Bay is a hotspot for 23 different species of whales and dolphins, from humpbacks to blue whales. The best time to visit is from April to October for calm seas and the chance to witness humpback whales displaying their acrobatic skills or catch a glimpse of the enormous blue whale.
➡️ Book the Whale Watching Tour From Husavik here!
14. Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
In Puerto Lopez, seeing whales from the beach is a common occurrence. From June to October, 50-foot-long whales migrate to these warm waters for breeding and calving, putting on an incredible show with flipper slaps, spy hops, and breathtaking breaches.
After your epic whale-watching experience, hop on a boat trip to nearby islands to snorkel vibrant coral reefs filled with colorful fish, playful sea lions, and amazing sea turtles.
➡️ Book the Tour to La Plata island and whale watching in Puerto Lopez here!
15. Small Isles, Scotland
Scotland is the place to be for minke whales in the UK, and the Small Isles are their prime hangout spot. Nestled between Skye and Mull, these islands offer a VIP section for whale watching.
Minke whales love hanging around shallow waters near these islands, which means you might just spot them from the beach! No need for a boat trip, though tours are available for a guaranteed close-up experience!
16. Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Just a couple hours north of the bustling city of San Francisco, you can spot whales from Point Reyes National Seashore. Catch the winter and spring migration of the incredible gray whale.
Each year, these gentle giants make their way to warmer waters to have their calves, and you might even see some moms and babies swimming close to shore! Summer and fall bring humpback whales, known for their acrobatic displays. If you’re patient, you might see a giant whale launch itself out of the water!
➡️ Book the Point Reyes National Seashore here!
Which of the beaches on this list would you most like to visit?
Tell us your favorite in the comments!
