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All Articles 7 summer spots perfect for whale-watching

7 summer spots perfect for whale-watching

From California to the Azores, here's where to see belugas, giant blue whales, and so much more.

Sarah Kuta
By Sarah Kuta12 June 2024 5 minutes read
Whale watching in Victoria, British Columbia
Whale watching in Victoria, British Columbia
Image: JurgaR/Getty Images

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.

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Best time to visit: June through August

Several beluga whales swimming in water
Sea North Tours
Image: Cat Price/Tripadvisor

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.

Travelers say: “Emma, the amazing [Sea North Tours] guide and driver, had us cruising with pods of belugas for over an hour. …We went right out into Hudson Bay, into Nunavut waters, and the pods of belugas were huge. If we had more time, we would have done this tour a second and third time.”—@corid108

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.

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Newport Beach, CA

Best time to visit: May through October

Whale breaching next to tour boat
Newport Coastal Adventure Whale Watching
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

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.

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Victoria, B.C., Canada

Best time to visit: May through October

Whale watching with Eagle Wing Tours in Victoria, B.C.
Whale watching with Eagle Wing Tours in Victoria, B.C.
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

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.

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Boston

Best time to visit: March through November

Whale breaching in middle of water
New England Aquarium Whale Watch
Image: Audrey M/Tripadvisor

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.

Travelers say: “I went on [a New England Aquarium Whale Watch] trip on Saturday, June 11, and put simply—it was breathtaking! So many whales, feeding, coming to the surface with mouths wide open then shutting again, swimming alongside the boat before diving. One even kept slapping the water with its fin as if to 'wave' at those on the trip!”—@JasonBW

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

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Tadoussac, Quebec, Canada

Best time to visit: May through October

Whale watching in Tadoussac, Quebec
Whale watching in Tadoussac, Quebec
Image: grandriver/Getty Images

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.

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São Miguel, the Azores

Best time for whale spotting: Year-round

Whale Watching with TERRA AZUL in the Azores
Whale Watching with TERRA AZUL in the Azores
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

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.

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San Francisco

Best time for whale spotting: Year-round

Humpback whales lunge feeding
Oceanic Society Farallon Islands Whale Watching
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

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.

Travelers say: “The skipper and crew clearly care a lot about what they do and really wanted to make sure we had the best experience. The preparation and instructions ahead of time were really helpful (sunscreen and warm clothing!) and they made sure to give us explanations on all the animals we saw, including the whales, of course. …Really fun time!!!”—@arlette926

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.

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Sarah Kuta
Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Colorado who specializes in travel, food and drink, science, history, and more. Her work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Food & Wine, NBC News, Lonely Planet, Smithsonian Magazine, the Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, the Toronto Star, and many other publications. When she's not writing, she's probably skiing, birdwatching, road tripping in her converted camper van, hiking with her dog Daisy, mountain biking, or checking out craft breweries.