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Top 10 Travel Destinations For Whale Watching

Updated on December 8, 2017
Page by Antony Pranata - A girl looking at killer whale at Marineland, Ontario, Canada
Page by Antony Pranata - A girl looking at killer whale at Marineland, Ontario, Canada | Source

Preferred Tourist Destinations

Canada is recognized for the explicit natural beauty. The various tourist destinations in and around Canada attract a large number of tourists every year.

A few destinations worth visiting are


  • Canadian rocky mountain parks,
  • Rideau Canal,
  • The historic district of Old Québec and
  • The Dinosaur Provincial Park, etc.



Whale watching is a popular activity that has succeeded in attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world. There are numerous whales watching destinations in Canada that attract these tourists.

Exclusive whale watching activity originated back in 1950 as an organized activity. Due to the presence of several species of whales in Canada, the studies reveal that Canada is among top three destinations preferred by the tourist.

An enormous amount of visitors from Europe and Asia tend to visit Canada to watch the vast variety of species of whales present here. No wonder some of the best whale-watching destinations are present in and around Canada.

North America and Canada Are Top Whale Watching Destinations

Country
Whale watchers in 2008
Percentage of total global whale watchers
USA
4,899,809
38%
Australia
1,635,374
13%
Canada
1,165,684
9%
Canary Islands
611,000
5%
South Africa
567,367
4%
New Zealand
546,445
4%
China (Mainland)
307,000
2%
Argentina
244,432
2%
Brazil
228,946
2%
Scotland
223,941
2%
TOTAL
10,506,620
81%
GLOBAL TOTAL
12,977,218
100%
Tilikum (an Orca whale) was moved to SeaWorld Orlando, Florida on January 9, 1992, from Sealand of the Pacific in South Oak Bay, British Columbia. He has sired 21 calves, with 11 still alive.
Tilikum (an Orca whale) was moved to SeaWorld Orlando, Florida on January 9, 1992, from Sealand of the Pacific in South Oak Bay, British Columbia. He has sired 21 calves, with 11 still alive. | Source
Killer whales having fun in Canadian Waters
Killer whales having fun in Canadian Waters | Source

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is regarded as one of the best places to watch whales in the entire North American Continent. It is the well-known abode of a large population of 'Orca' also known as 'Killer whales'.

In 2015, around 103 incidents of Orca whale being spotted were reported. It is understood that the maximum number of Orca whales tend to inhabit the Victoria waters. The Orca whales are popular as active social animals.

On Vancouver Island, various remote passages tend to run a whale watching tour for half a day that happens to pass through the area of Clayoquot. The best time to watch the Orca whales is from May to October.

Source
Source

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is another destination that offers a host of wildlife. It comprises an exceptional marine life along with unique birds like "the bald eagles".

The tourists who visit this place for whale watching may view various different kinds of whales, including Pilot whales, Fin whales, Humpbacks, Blue whales, Harbor porpoises and Minke whales, etc.

One can experience massive thrill watching these magnificent creatures. You need to visit Nova Scotia in the months of the summer season to experience such thrill.

Beluga Whale @ Marineland, Canada
Beluga Whale @ Marineland, Canada

New Brunswick

Another paradise for whale watchers is at New Brunswick. The whales along with a host of marine life tend to get attracted to the warm waters of New Brunswick. It offers tourists a great opportunity to watch whales and allows them a sense of the contentment as they sight the local wildlife, birds and rest of the Canadian marine animals such as the seals. The best time to visit the exotic destination of New Brunswick is during the months of summer.

Gray seals and harbor seals sun themselves on Northern Rock, south of Grand Manan, New Brunswick. Northern Rock and Machias Seal Island are in the northern Gulf of Maine to the southeast of Machias, Maine. By -JMChone
Gray seals and harbor seals sun themselves on Northern Rock, south of Grand Manan, New Brunswick. Northern Rock and Machias Seal Island are in the northern Gulf of Maine to the southeast of Machias, Maine. By -JMChone | Source

Quebec

If you happen to visit Canada for whale watching then you must never forget to visit Quebec. Quebec offers the whale watchers a glimpse of some rare species of whales present in North America (especially during the summer time).

In addition, Quebec is also popular for being one of the best destinations in the world to watch Minke whales, Humpback whales, and Blue whales. A visit to Quebec in the month of May will prove worthwhile. As a fact of the matter, Canada has been rated in the top ten destinations for adventure and is safe as well.

Source
A bald eagle
A bald eagle | Source

Newfoundland

A visit to this place can even offer you a great opportunity to watch a wide variety of marine animals and birds. If you even like to watch birds, then you should never miss this great opportunity to view the popular 'bald eagle'.

Even Newfoundland is considered as another great destination to have a glimpse of some of the most exceptional species of whales. One can get to view Pilot whales, Minke Whales, Fin whales as well as seals and dolphin during the summer time.

While you have a good time watching whales, ensure that your conduct is humane. Do not endanger their existence.
While you have a good time watching whales, ensure that your conduct is humane. Do not endanger their existence. | Source

Baja California, Mexico

Baja California, Mexico is famous for watching Pacific gray whales. Thousands of gray whales are known to enter the lagoons of Baja California for breeding and birthing.

You can get a three-hour excursion in peaceful and clear waters of Magdalena Bay and enjoy the thrill of MayBay Sports and Adventures on small open boats out of the San Carlos.

In the month of February, you can find several, calm or curious whales along their infants.

Belvedere around San Francisco Yacht Club
Belvedere around San Francisco Yacht Club | Source

Northern Manitoba

You can find here ample of Beluga whales. Sea North Tours tends to exhibit pod of Beluga whales and furthermore, these fantastic creatures happened to be interested in hanging out with several humans.

At Northern Manitoba, you get a chance to safely lower yourself into the cold water and snorkel with these whales. Do not forget to wear the thickest wetsuit while diving in the waters here. Once you are in the water, the curious whales over here will observe you as you play and you can hear their vocalizations that feel magnificent because of the Canadian waters.

One can get the best whale watching experience in Manitoba in the months of July to August.

The Pride of Northern Manitoba, Canada - The Polar  Bear
The Pride of Northern Manitoba, Canada - The Polar Bear | Source
Sr. No
Destination
Best time to travel
Type of whale
Other tourist activities
 
 
 
 
 
1
Vancouver Island
May to October
Orca whales
Viewing sea lions, porpoises, sea birds, humpbacks and many others
2
Nova Scotia
May to September
Pilot whales, Fin whales
Viewing unique birds like the bald eagles
3
New Brunswick
May to September
Fin whales
Watching Canadian marine animals and wildlife
4
Quebec
May
Minke whales, Blue whales, and Humpback whales
Watching other marine life
5
Newfoundland
May to September
Pilot whales, Minke whales, and Fin whales
Watching Canadian marine animals and wildlife
6
Baja California and Magdalena Bay in Mexico
March to May
Pacific gray whales
MagBay sports and adventures
7
Northern Manitoba
July to August
Beluga whales
Snorkeling in waters
8
Hawaii and Mexico
January to March
Humpback whales
View various activities of whales like playing and fighting, etc.
9
Tadoussac in Quebec
May to October
Finback whales
Trip in search of the 2nd largest whale
10
Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton
June to October
Minke whales and Pilot whales
Local music
Humpback Whale Underwater
Humpback Whale Underwater | Source

Hawaii and Mexico

From 10,000 Humpback whales in the world, around 2000 tend to consider North Pacific as their abode. These humpback whales prefer to breed and give birth to new ones in the warm waters of Hawaii and Mexico during the winters.

As these wonderful creatures happen to be close to the beach in Hawaii, they tend to offer Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary Ocean Count project a great opportunity to monitor Humpback whales from the shores of Hawaii, Oahu and Kauai all through January to March.

 Whales Whaling
Whales Whaling | Source

Tadoussac in Quebec

Tadoussac is popular as one of the oldest village and is more than 400 years old. It has gained fame for its spectacular and chilly base for watching the Finback whales.

You can enjoy a warm and more comfortable experience as you travel Canada in a small ship in these waters. A trip for the search of the second largest and fastest whales commences in Saguenay Fjord.

These Finback whales tend to feed in large groups and you might be one among those lucky people to experience the sight of several of these kinds at once. You can gather memories of watching of Humpbacks, Blues, and Belugas in the healthy waters of Tadoussac, Quebec.

Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton

The fiddlers from Cape Breton always make great music. Fiddlin whale tours offer you two hours of excursions with great entertainment from the local musicians and you can encounter Pilot whales and Minke whales. Such great music may even lure a Humpback whale and with the help of the onboard hydrophone allow you to hear the sound of whales as they approach.

Hope you enjoy you whale watching experience in Canada and North American waters!!

Dusky dolphins have been described as a long-beaked dolphin
Dusky dolphins have been described as a long-beaked dolphin | Source

© 2013 Vinita Amrit

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