7 summer spots perfect for whale-watching

Catching a glimpse of a whale feels like winning the wildlife lottery. Though they weigh hundreds—often, thousands—of pounds, these mysterious marine mammals glide effortlessly through the ocean, traveling long distances in search of food and to reach their breeding grounds.

Their elegance in the water, coupled with their massive size and their social nature, makes them one of nature’s most impressive species to behold. Whether you want to trek to the northern fringes of Canada or settle in for a weekend trip to SoCal, you can see them for yourself on tours in any of the below destinations.

You probably know Churchill as the “polar bear capital of the world”—but it’s also a prime destination for spotting beluga whales. Every summer, an estimated 57,000 beluga whales migrate to Hudson Bay and the Churchill River to feed, give birth, and molt (the process of shedding their old, dead skin for a new, fresh layer).

Belugas are social, chatty whales, which is why they’re sometimes referred to as the “canaries of the sea.” You can see—and hear—them for yourself with Sea North Tours: Guides bring special underwater microphones, called hydrophones, so that guests can hear all the random chirps, squeaks, trills, and other quirky vocalizations that belugas make.

Where to stay: If the timing of your trip lines up, book a “learning vacation” at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. You’ll spend up to a week living at the center’s campus, where you’ll bump into and share meals with in-house researchers and visiting scientists. Otherwise, snag a room at the Tundra Inn, a comfy, no-frills motel in the heart of town.

Newport Beach is the go-to spot for whale watching in SoCal. An hour’s drive south from downtown Los Angeles, this coastal community offers a front-row seat to see giant blue whales in the summer and fall and gray whales in the winter and spring. (Year-round, you also have a good chance of spotting seals, dolphins, sea lions, and even sharks.)

Grab your binoculars and head out with Newport Coastal Adventure Whale Watching, which uses boats that sit low in the water so you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. Or, listen as Captain Nick Nagel and his crew of certified naturalists share their impressive knowledge about the area’s marine wildlife on an excursion with East Meets West Whale Watching.

Where to stay: Relive the day’s adventures by the pool at The Resort at Pelican Hill, where you can choose between a multi-bedroom villa or a bungalow suite with a private terrace overlooking the Pacific.

Admittedly much easier to reach than the northern fringes of Manitoba, Victoria is just a three-hour ferry ride from Seattle (and a scenic one, at that). It’s also an idyllic home base for exploring the vibrant waters of the Salish Sea, which is filled with minke whales, orcas, humpback whales, and gray whales—plus otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and a ton of seabirds.

For a romantic outing, book the sunset cruise with Prince of Whales, which includes cozy blankets, hot cocoa, and plenty of stunning photo ops. Or, for a truly immersive experience, spend the day with Eagle Wing Tours, which not only gives passengers a chance to see whales, but also to listen to them through a hydrophone.

Where to stay: Right on Victoria’s outer harbor, the Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina offers the chance to watch boats come and go from the hotel’s 52-slip marina while swimming in the indoor-outdoor pool or noshing on crab cakes on the on-site Blue Crab Seafood House’s patio.

Though many travelers visit Boston for its deep historical roots, it’s also an East Coast hub for observing the Atlantic Ocean’s diverse marine life. Most whale-watching tours sail to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary—a 842-square-mile safe haven for whales that’s benefited from federal protection since 1992.

Humpbacks, fin whales, minke whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and the occasional North Atlantic right whale have all been known to make appearances on New England Aquarium Whale Watch cruises, which are led by knowledgeable marine biologists in partnership with City Experiences.

Where to stay: Enjoy views of the harbor from InterContinental Boston or scope out the trendy Seaport district with a stay at YOTEL Boston.

Located at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers, Tadoussac is a delightful Canadian village beloved by travelers and whales alike. Here, the 480-square-mile Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park protects everything from beluga, blue, and minke whales to fin, and humpback whales in what the park describes as a “gigantic natural food pantry.” Technically, you can spot belugas all year long—but weather-wise, your best bet is in summer and early fall.

Where to stay: If you want to be in town, Hotel Tadoussac—with its red roof, white siding, and cupola—is a picturesque bayside option that dates back to 1864. Though it’s a little farther afield, the all-inclusive Club Med Québec Charlevoix is worth the extra two hours of travel time. It offers a wide array of family-friendly activities, including guided hikes and kayaking trips. Conveniently, the resort also offers a whale-watching excursion to Tadoussac.

This remote Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean is surrounded by marine life, including approximately one-third of the world’s cetacean species (the umbrella term for whales), porpoises, and seals. Here, you’ll find a year-round population of common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and sperm whales—plus, migratory species including sei, fin, and blue whales, which pass through in late spring and early summer.

Of the nine islands, make the largest, São Miguel, your home base for whale-watching adventures, with tour operators like Picos de Aventura and TERRA AZUL standing by to take you out on the water.

Where to stay: Unwind in the soothing waters of the thermal hot springs pools before retreating to your room at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or Octant Hotels Furnas.

Throughout the year, thousands of humpback, gray, sperm, blue, and killer whales pass along the coast of San Francisco during their annual migration, which makes SF a convenient West Coast spot for a shot at marveling at these transient creatures. You can spot them from land at places like Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Beach Overlook, Bodega Head, and Point Bonita Lighthouse. Or, get a closer look on outings led by the Oceanic Society, San Francisco Whale Tours, and Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry.

Where to stay: For views of the water and easy access to the Golden Gate Bridge, book a room at the Lodge at the Presidio, a unique property that was once a military barracks, war hospital, and federal emergency management headquarters. Today, it sits within the Presidio of San Francisco, a 1,500-acre national park.