Top 10 Cruise Ports For Whale Watching
It is perhaps not too surprising therefore that one of the excursions on offer that keeps popping up no matter where you visit is the chance to head back out to sea on a smaller boat to take in some of the local wildlife- including majestic whales.
In some parts of the world, you don’t even need to book an excursion as so long as you spend some time looking out to sea whilst onboard you cruise ship, you will more than likely see a whale.
It is those types of destinations that we look at on this list as not only can you get up close to whales on a whale watching excursion, but you will more than likely spot a whale or 2 whilst looking out to sea from your balcony.
Our Top 10 Cruise Ports For Whale Watching
Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada
If you are sailing from Seattle or Vancouver up to Alaska, down the Pacific coast or over to Hawaii you will sail through the waters close to Vancouver Island.
Those waters are world renowned for been home to lots of wildlife including multiple species of whales including humpbacks that migrate through the region in May/June and September/October, Pacific Grey whales that can be spotted throughout the main cruising season.
Smaller animals such as right whales, sea otters, American eagles and porpoises can easily be spotted but it is the resident pods of Orca’s that are the highlights for many.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Cruises from California ports such as San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco to the Mexican Riviere are offered by a wide range of lines and remains a great budget getaway for those wanting some fun and sun.
What often gets overlooked is the variety of wildlife to be seen this stretch of the Pacific coast including grey, blue, fin, Bryde’s, humpback, sperm and minke whales.
Cape Town, South Africa
The western cape sees the convergence of the cold Atlantic Ocean and the warm Indian Ocean, which helps to create the perfect feeding grounds for numerous whale species including southern rights, humpbacks and Bryde’s.
It is not just whales that are attracted to the area however as visitors are likely to spot seals, great white sharks, penguins and dolphins with the port city of Cape Town also a great place to head on an African safari.
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
The island of Maui is known for its incredible natural beauty, including mountains, sandy beaches and waterfalls but it is often in the waters surrounding Hawaii’s second largest island that grabs your attention.
That is because Maui is one of the world’s best places for spotting humpback whales as they migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Hawaii in winter to breed.
Thanks to the 1,400 square mile Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, it is thought that around half of the world’s population of North Pacific humpbacks head to Hawaiian waters between December and April.
Isafjordur, Iceland
The northwest of Iceland is a great place to spot plenty of whale species but the port of Isafjordur (Ísafjörður) is our top pick due to how close you often get to giants including humpback and blue whales as well as Minke, sperm and Sei whales.
As you sail along the Ísafjarðardjúp in the Westfjords you can often see those majestic creatures surfacing just metres from your cruise ship or you can take a whale watching excursion to really get up close.
Ponta Delgada, Azores
The remote archipelago of The Azores offers nutrient-rich waters to a host of migrating and resident whales populations including humpback, sei, blue, short-finned pilot, fin and Sperm whales as well as Orca’s, dolphins and even manta rays.
The capital of Ponta Delgada is a popular stopping off port of call for transatlantic itineraries, which give you plenty of time to stare out to sea with your binoculars to see what surfaces.
Roseau, Dominica
The waters around the Caribbean Island of Dominica feature cliff like steep drops that act as the perfect places for sperm whales to mate and give berth allowing visitors a great chance to see baby whales swim alongside their mothers.
Other whales known to frequent the waters around the island include humpbacks, short-finned pilots, melon heads and pygmy sperms.
Inside Passage, Alaska
The inside passage allows you to sail close to mountains, glaciers and giant waterfalls onboard some of the world’s biggest and best cruise ships, so you could be forgiven for not looking down to the crystal-clear waters below you.
If you can take a break from the onboard activities or the stunning scenery, cruisers can easily spot a whole host of aquatic species including humpback, right whales, grays, Minke, bowhead, fin and sperm whales.
San Sebastian, La Gomera, Canary Islands
The tiny Canary Island of La Gomera stands out amongst the often-barren archipelago due to its abundance of fauna, but its waters are just as full of life.
Whilst only a few cruise ships visit there, many sail close by to the nearby island of Tenerife allowing holidaymakers to spot pilot, beaked and sperm whales.
Hambantota, Sri Lanka
The port of Hambantota offers lots of wildlife watching opportunities at several nearby nature reserves, but lovers of nature can get their binoculars out early as the entry into the port allows for lots of whale watching opportunities.
The waters off the southern tip of Sri Lanka feature huge drop offs onto a continental shelf that are the perfect home to blue whales that makes these waters one of the world’s best places to spot the beautiful gentle giants close to land.
