Whale Watching

Resurrection Bay, Alaska. Photo: Ellensburg.Blue (Flickr)

Imagine eating breakfast on an outdoor patio at an inn on the Oregon coast, strolling on a beach in Southern California, or sailing amidst dramatic mountains in the Alaskan wilderness. Suddenly, a pod of whales dances in and out of the waves not far from you. What a sight—to watch these massive, wondrous creatures frolic in the ocean, to experience such a magical, fleeting moment in nature.

Whale Watching Worldwide

You can embark on a whale watching tour in many parts of the world: some of the best whale watching is in the Pacific Northwest. The California Coast, too, has decent viewing spots. Catch the annual gray whale migration from December to May off the beaches in Long Beach, Newport Beach, and San Diego, when gray whales head south to the warm waters of Baja California, or tour Northern California's Farallon Islands (about 25 miles from San Francisco) between May and November, where you can spot numerous species of whales.

You can also watch whales in Hawaii and Europe, on the Strait of Gibraltar in Tarifa, Spain, as well as in Ireland and Iceland. In oceans on the other side of the world, travelers in Australia hop on helicopters to explore Whitsunday Islands from above—lucky enough to view whales in crystal-clear waters below—while beachcombers in Byron Bay watch humpback whales, particularly in the evenings of winter.

Whale Watching in the Pacific Northwest

Whale watchers have excellent opportunities for orca viewing in British Columbia, in locations like the Strait of Georgia and the fishing village of Port McNeil—a site of the some of the best killer whale viewing in the world. In Victoria, Five Star Whale Watching explores the British Columbia coast and Vancouver Island, home to the largest population of orcas on the planet. (Passengers are offered a $10 discount if they mention Trazzler when signing up for an expedition.)

In Alaska, the channel between Shelter and Lincoln Islands near Juneau is rich with krill, making it a favored frolicking spot for humpback whales. (While expeditions tour here, exploring via sea kayak is recommended.)

May and June is prime Oregon coast whale watching season. Gray whales migrate north to Alaska in the spring, and they cruise so close to shore that spectators can enjoy their passing from land. Whale watching tours in Washington are popular from April to September; don't be surprised to share a boat with more than 40 people on an excursion into the waters of the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca—both ideal spots to watch orcas pop in and out of the sea.