Wildlife guide
The perfect introduction to getting your head around the extraordinary life on earth, and where to go to find it.
Whale watching tips
Safety tips
Amanda Stafford, from our supplier Dolphin and Whale Connection, shares her whale watching tips for those still getting their sealegs: "Whale watching is about what you see, but it's also about the safety and the standard of the boats, and how well you're looked after. Our clients are briefed on the sea conditions, they fill in a medical form and we don't let them on the hard-hulled, rigid inflatable boats if they've got a history of back problems. Check that your operator can advise you what the sea conditions are going to be like, and what it's like on the boat: where to sit; how to look after your back; if it impacts on a wave, take the impact with your knees... We also have a catamaran which is a little bit easier, there are places to hold on, you may fall over but you're not going to have one of those jolts - and that's the thing to watch on the inflatables."
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Land-based whale watching tips
Natasha Preston is a whale watching expert with our supplier, Exodus. She shares her whale watching tips for those who prefer to stay on dry land: "If you've got people who suffer from seasickness or who are not confident on the water, then the south coast of South Africa - around Hermanus, on the Garden Route - is probably one of the best places in the world to do land-based whale watching. In our autumn - South Africa's spring time - in September-November, southern right whales come around that coast. There are some high cliffs around there, so as long as you've got a good pair of binoculars you can do some good whale watching just sitting on your terrace which is quite nice, and in September there's a big whale festival. So for anyone who wants to see these incredible creatures but doesn't want to get on a boat, it's the best place to be."
Tips on choosing a boat
Rae Gill is the tour director of our supplier WhaleSwim Adventures, in Tonga. She shares her whale watching tips: "If there's a choice of boats and operators, that's always good. I always recommend small boats with no more than 20 passengers because it's not great to be manoeuvring large boats around whales. On top of that, you don't get the same, personalised information. With large groups, they're likely to be talking over a speaker, reading off a piece of paper - whereas with small groups, some people want large amounts of scientific information and other people don't want any; they're just there to swim with whales. They don't care how many gallons of milk the baby drinks a day or any of that stuff. We only have eight guests, so we can tailor that on a one-to-one basis on our boat, it's much more personal."Tips on swimming with whales
Rae Gill:
"People need to be fit and agile enough to get up a ladder in choppy water - that's very hard if you're not fit. They also need to be able to snorkel 50m at quite a good speed and be confident with their snorkelling gear, not just go out and buy a set of gear and think they will be able to do it, because if they can't, our guides then have to look after one person and it affects the whole group. So we ask them to start getting fit in the swimming pool, to go to there with their snorkel and fins, do lengths to get their speed up and get confident. That way they're not worried about getting water in their snorkel when they're in the water, and they can focus 100 percent on the experience with the whales."
"People need to be fit and agile enough to get up a ladder in choppy water - that's very hard if you're not fit. They also need to be able to snorkel 50m at quite a good speed and be confident with their snorkelling gear, not just go out and buy a set of gear and think they will be able to do it, because if they can't, our guides then have to look after one person and it affects the whole group. So we ask them to start getting fit in the swimming pool, to go to there with their snorkel and fins, do lengths to get their speed up and get confident. That way they're not worried about getting water in their snorkel when they're in the water, and they can focus 100 percent on the experience with the whales."
Health & safety on the ocean
HEALTH
SAFETY
Our top trip
Whale watching in the Azores
Classic whale watching trip in the Azores archipelago
From
£830
7 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made to start on any day of the week from March to October
This trip can be tailor made to start on any day of the week from March to October
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Whale watching or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Whale watching tips from 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 whale watching 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.
We have selected some of the most useful whale watching 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.
Take a good camera and a hat that stays on your head!![]()
- Diane Mulloy
It is worth spending a bit of time deciding when to go depending on what you want to see. Certain animals seem to be more prevalent at certain times during the summer season. - Richard Burgess-Gamble
Travel light, put on lots of sun block and take part in all the activities, research and tasks if possible. Do not go with any agendas as the weather plays a big part in the research. - Rita Montebello
Be prepared for cramped conditions - it's a fairly small boat - and don't expect a relaxing holiday! Early starts (and possibly some night shifts) and being at sea all day can be very, very tiring. And take some warm clothes - even when it's beautifully hot in the harbour, it can be windy and chilly out at sea. - Louise Banbury, research trip in Liguria
Travel light, put on lots of sun block and take part in all the activities, research and tasks if possible. Do not go with any agendas as the weather plays a big part in the research. - Rita Montebello
Be prepared for cramped conditions - it's a fairly small boat - and don't expect a relaxing holiday! Early starts (and possibly some night shifts) and being at sea all day can be very, very tiring. And take some warm clothes - even when it's beautifully hot in the harbour, it can be windy and chilly out at sea. - Louise Banbury, research trip in Liguria
Bring warm clothing, but in layers. It can get nice and hot, but it can also get chilly and wet. Waterproof trousers and jacket is an absolute must.![]()
- Cara Kuipers
Be prepared for the beauty of the natural landscape and seascape. Be prepared for possible rough waters on the orca viewing expedition and also accept that a complete soaking is likely due to the small size of the craft. However, the soaking is fully acceptable once the orcas are located and the small craft allows for more personal viewing. - Robert Roberto, Vancouver Island
Be aware that this is not a BBC wildlife programme, so come with realistic expectations of what you might see. You might not actually see very much of the whales themselves unless they happen to breach right out of the water or come close to the boat. Most of the animal is below the surface. A camera/videocam with a good zoom or a pair of binoculars gives a much enhanced view, but take a plastic bag to protect from salt spray. - Alison Pemble, Azores
Be aware that this is not a BBC wildlife programme, so come with realistic expectations of what you might see. You might not actually see very much of the whales themselves unless they happen to breach right out of the water or come close to the boat. Most of the animal is below the surface. A camera/videocam with a good zoom or a pair of binoculars gives a much enhanced view, but take a plastic bag to protect from salt spray. - Alison Pemble, Azores
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