Wildlife guide
This wildlife travel guide is meant to be like a trailer for the new Attenborough series. Because we also have individual travel guides for more specific wildlife holidays, such as our safaris, bear watching and whale watching.
Best time to go whale watching
Whales swim around the world, their movements following the seasons and availability of food, so you need to be sure you're in the right place at the right time.![]()
Our chart below shows roughly the best time to go whale watching in each region, but consult individual tours for more detailed information.
Our Whale watching Holidays
Mull wildlife holiday in Scotland
Ultimate week of wildlife spotting on the Isle of Mull
From
£945 to £1035
7 days
ex flights
Swim with Orcas in Fjords of Norway
6 night live-aboard tour in the stunning fjords 0f Norway
From
US $6600
6 days
ex flights
Blue Whale tour in the Azores
Visit the Azores at the best time to see Blue Whales
From
£1190
7 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka wildlife and whales tour
Whales and the wildlife of Yala National Park
From
£2679 to £2799
11 days
inc UK flights
Whale & dolphin research in Ligurian Sea, Italy
Whale and dolphin conservation trip
From
€700 to €910
6 days
ex flights
Whale watching in the Azores
Classic whale watching trip in the Azores archipelago
From
£610
7 days
ex flights
Family whale & dolphin watching holiday, Azores
A family educational adventure and experience of a lifetime.
From
£755
7 days
ex flights
Swim with humpback whales in Tahiti
Snorkel with gentle humpback whales in a warm tropical seas!
From
AU $5410 to AU $6180
8 days
ex flights
Polar bear and beluga whale watching tours in Canada
Combine the thrill of seeing beluga whales with summer polar bears
From
£10760
8 days
inc UK flights
Kayaking with Orcas in British Columbia, Canada
Kayak with orcas and humpacks in beautiful British Columbia
From
US $1235 to US $1545
4 days
ex flights
Northern lights and whale watching cruise in Iceland
A cruise around Iceland with a chance of whales & Aurora
From
£2635
8 days
ex flights
Wildlife holiday in the Isle of Mull, Scotland
Spot whales, otters and eagles on Isle of Mull, Scotland
From
£645 to £695
5 days
ex flights
Azores whale holiday, Blue Whale bonanza
Come see Blue Whales in the Azores!
From
£760
7 days
ex flights
Budget Tonga holiday, swim with humpback whales
Once in a lifetime chance to swim with humpback whales.
From
£2399
10 days
ex flights
Wildlife safari and whale watching in South Africa
5 day Whale watching South Africa add to your safari
From
£785 to £800
5 days
ex flights
Blue whale watching in the Azores, Pico Island
Best time to see Blue Whales in the Azores
From
£890
7 days
ex flights
Family whale watching holiday, South Africa
A unique marine safari in Cape Town and Hermanus
From
R45090 to R75087
7 days
ex flights
Inner Reaches Western Coves cruise in Alaska
Some of southern Alaska's iconic destinations by small ship
From
£3149
8 days
ex flights
Swim with whales & dolphins holiday
Unforgettable encounters in a breathtaking area
From
CHF4650 to CHF4950
8 days
ex flights
Swim with humpback whales, Tonga
Snorkel with the huge Gentle Giants of the Sea in Paradise!
From
AU $5130
6 days
ex flights
Azores tour, volcanic wonderland
Dolphin swimming and whale watching on the Azores Islands
From
£1000 to £1150
8 days
ex flights
British Columbia wildlife holiday, whales and bears
Rugged scenery and wildlife of Western Canada
From
£4099 to £4299
11 days
inc UK flights
Dominica holiday, wildlife and activities
An all-inclusive package to the nature island of Dominica
From
£2495 to £2795
9 days
inc UK flights
British Columbia Autumn wildlife tour
Combine Orca watching and Grizzly Bears in Western Canada
From
£4895
10 days
ex flights
Azores whale watching and walking holiday
Explore the hidden depths of the Azores
From
£625
7 days
ex flights
Sailing & conservation holiday in Greece
A unique wildlife & sailing adventure
From
£683 to £759
7 days
ex flights
Blue whale Azores family holiday
Best time to see the Blue, Humpback and Fin Whales
From
£835
7 days
ex flights
Whale conservation holiday in the Azores
Help assist in integral whale and dolphin conservation!
From
£695 to £4195
7 days
ex flights
Swim with orcas in Norway, Northern Lights
Northern lights and orca swim adventure in Norway
From
US $6500
9 days
ex flights
Whale watching and Northern Lights sailing cruise in Norway
Far North. Far East. Whales and Northern lights.
From
NKr11900
5 days
ex flights
Our top Whale watching Holiday
Whale & dolphin research in Ligurian Sea, Italy
Whale and dolphin conservation trip
From
€700 to €910
6 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 30 Aug, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep
2021: 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 30 Aug, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep
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.
Responsible Travel recommends
March: Hunting orcas
Stunning footage of orcas launching themselves onto the beach to hunt seals was captured in Argentina's Peninsula Valdes. This takes place annually in a particular channel, and if you buy a permit you'll be able to get right up close to the awesome action.March-May: Bowhead whales
The best time to go whale watching is Greenland is springtime, when bowhead whales travel here to feed on krill. The bowhead has the most massive mouth of any animal, with baleen plates measuring over three metres long, and may also be the longest-lived mammal. Sadly, it's also one of the most endangered whale species as a result of harpooning.
Did you
know...?
know...?
You can swim with whales!
From late July-early October humpback whales travel from the Antarctic up to Tonga to give birth. They hang out in the tropical waters, suckling their immense babies, and if you're feeling brave you can snorkel with them. Trained guides will only let you into the water once they can tell the mothers are relaxed.
More about Whale watching
With whales in virtually every corner of the ocean, and so many species, how do you begin to plan a trip? Our whale watching travel guide reveals all...
Some places are far more reliable for whale encounters than others. Our interactive map reveals where to go whale watching - and also when.
When planning a whale watching holiday, a great way start is by finding out about the different whale species - and what you can see, where and when.
Whale watching with kids is a sure way to bring out your child's inner marine biologist, and plant a love of the ocean that could last a lifetime.
At least 15 species of whale visit this Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic at various times of year.
Grey whale watching in Baja can be a very intimate wildlife encounter. But is it harmful? We spoke to a renowned marine biologist to find out.
‘Skipper Extraordinaire’, Charles Wara believes the Norwegian fjords north of Tromsø are the best place in the world to admire killer whales in the wild.
The southern coast around Galle and Mirissa is the place to go in search of responsible blue whale watching in Sri Lanka. Be prepared for magic.
We've spoken to whale watching experts around the world to learn their whale watching tips, and how to make the most of a whale watching holiday.
We've outlined the reasons why we think that keeping whales in captivity is wrong, in partnership with the World Cetacean Alliance.
How to pick an ethical operator? for a whale watching holiday? We discuss responsible tourism issues around whale watching in the wild.
More relevant guides
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