Where to swim with whales & wild dolphins

Cetaceans inhabit waters around the world - but not everywhere is suitable for swimming with them, due to frequency of viewings, sea conditions and habituation. When deciding where to swim with whales and dolphins you'll need to consider how far you want to travel, what other activities you'd like to enjoy on your holiday and whether you'd prefer whales or dolphins - our interactive map has more information.

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Our guide to swimming with whales and wild dolphins

While whales and dolphins roam all of the world’s oceans, only a handful of destinations are suitable for jumping in the sea with them – and even fewer can ensure this is done responsibly, with well trained skippers and enforced regulations. When choosing a destination, take into consideration how much travelling you’re prepared to do (even the Azores can be a day’s journey unless you manage to book a direct flight), how much time you want to spend on the water when you’re there, and whether or not you’re keen to try out other activities – from trekking and land-based wildlife watching, to beach-lazing and cultural encounters.

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Our Swimming with whales & wild dolphins Holidays

1. Azores
2. Norway
3. Red Sea
4. Tahiti
5. Tonga

Azores

1. Azores

(Best: May-Sep for calmer seas) The Azores has some of the most abundant dolphin sightings, with seven species commonly seen alongside sperm whales and orcas. This is one of the best places to swim with dolphins, with expert guides and boat drivers who can monitor the behaviour of each species. Week-long trips offer the chance to build your confidence in the open water and use a snorkel around the curious cetaceans.

Azores

Norway

2. Norway

Between fjords, following the herring migration, whales in Norway are a sight to behold with pods of up to 80 orcas congregating around coastlines close to Tromso to offer liveaboard boat passengers the chance to swim and snorkel - in dry suits - during the magical month of November. Combined with comfy conditions, USEA certified guides and, perhaps, the Aurora Borealis, Norway’s come a long way from its whaling past.

Red Sea

3. Red Sea

(Best: Mar-Nov) A horseshoe-shaped coral reef marks the spot where a pod of spinner dolphins spend their days recuperating after a long night feeding. The reef is “zoned” to ensure boats don’t disturb them – and only the curious will come out to inspect the boats. You can snorkel with dolphins, sea turtles and a huge variety of reef-dwelling creatures here, in safe, shallow bays – unusual night boat expeditions are also available.

Red Sea

Tahiti

4. Tahiti

The pilgrimage to Tahiti for expectant humpback whales takes place from Aug to Oct with the island of Moorea, 15kms from Tahiti, providing a breathtaking location from where to swim safely with whales and newborn calves in what will be an incredibly humbling experience. Set sail into the sheltered waters of the South Pacific onboard a catamaran and swim with whales surrounded by French Polynesian islands.

Tonga

5. Tonga

(Late Jul - early Oct) The Antarctic winter sees humpback whales migrating thousands of miles to the balmy Tongan waters where they give birth. This is one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with these 40-ton giants in crystal clear seas - and their newborns. Onboard hydrophones let the skippers locate singing whales – if you’re bobbing above them, your whole body will softly vibrate.

Tonga

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Swimming with whales & wild dolphins or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Family travel

Taking your kids to swim with whales or dolphins may make you a contender for "parent of the year" - but age restrictions do apply.

The Red Sea is a great choice for young families. With warm, calm waters and most dolphin swimming trips take place in a safe, sheltered reef. Child-friendly resorts sit beside shallow beaches, and children will love snorkelling with the colourful reef fish. The Azores offers special family departures with presentations tailored for youngsters, and experienced guides well equipped to look after children. Travelling in family groups means that the children make friends – and parents get a little time to themselves. Whale swimming holidays in Tonga are recommended for over 18s only. However, there are some day trips which accept younger children – though these are not orientated specifically towards families, and parents will be fully responsible for their kids.

Tips from our travellers

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful swimming with whales and dolphins travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.

Definitely take an underwater camera as the photos and footage you can get are amazing

- Claire Bartlett (Tonga)

"Take sea sickness tablets if you are inclined to nausea on boats as it can get quite choppy." - Rosie Sutcliffe

"Don't leave it until the last week of the season. It was cold! Also be aware these are wild animals, you wouldn't expect to stroke a lion on safari so why expect to be up-close to dolphins." - Carol Sissons

"The weather… is so changeable. Wet suits and layers, sun cream, hats. You might need them. One other thing that I also read on a review was to bring quick drying towels which was good advice." - Amanda Kirby

"Get out every single time you can, you can't see / interact with wild dolphins + whales + fish + turtles + shearwaters (sea-diving birds) in Oxford Street." - James Bromley

If you are quiet and calm and just wait they will swim to you and you can pretend just for a short time that you are part of their underwater world.

- Emma Ghafur

More about Swimming with whales & wild dolphins

Swimming with whales & wild dolphins

Swimming with these marine mammals one of those ultimate bucket list experiences. But as our swimming with whales and dolphins travel guide reveals, there are some things you can do to make it far more enjoyable. Visiting the creatures in the wild is a must, as you'll experience their true behaviour, and travelling with experienced guides means that both you and the cetaceans are happy, safe and enjoying the encounter.

More relevant guides

Written by Vicki Brown

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: http://simonag3r.wix.com/simonagerphotography] [Map topbox: bm.iphone] [Azores: Jolene Thompson] [Norway: Tom Phillips] [Red Sea: Simon Lewis] [Tahiti: Craig Hatfield] [Tonga: Roderick Eime] [Family travel: Roderick Eime]

Where to swim with whales & wild dolphins

Our guide to swimming with whales and wild dolphins