When and where to see whales
Season calendars for 35 whale watching towns, with every operator's prices, boat sizes and what each one promises if no whales show up. Prices come from the operators' own websites.
Whales in October
26 of the 35 towns have at least one species in season, and 4 are in a peak month for at least one species. Towns with the most species at their peak come first.
- ReykjavíkIceland Humpback whale, Minke whale, White-beaked dolphin, Harbour porpoise from ISK 12,998
- MontereyCalifornia Humpback whale, Blue whale, Killer whale (orca) from $60
- Dana PointCalifornia Blue whale, Humpback whale from $40
- HermanusSouth Africa Southern right whale from R550
- HúsavíkIceland Humpback whale, Minke whale, White-beaked dolphin, Harbour porpoise from ISK 12,490
- MadeiraPortugal Sperm whale, Short-finned pilot whale, Bryde's whale, Bottlenose dolphin from €40
The whale year, town by town
Each row is a town, each column a month. Dark squares are peak months for at least one species, light squares are the rest of the season. Tap a town for species, operators and prices.
| Town | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Trips from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England and Eastern Canada | |||||||||||||
| Bar Harbor | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: in season | June: in season | July: peak | August: peak | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | $84 |
| Bay of Fundy | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | C$65 |
| Cape Cod | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | $75 |
| Gloucester | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | $68 |
| California | |||||||||||||
| Dana Point | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: peak | November: peak | December: in season | $40 |
| Monterey | January: peak | February: in season | March: in season | April: peak | May: peak | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: peak | November: in season | December: in season | $60 |
| Newport Beach | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | $38.75 |
| San Diego | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: quiet | November: quiet | December: in season | $30 |
| San Francisco and Half Moon Bay | January: peak | February: in season | March: in season | April: quiet | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: quiet | $72 |
| Santa Barbara | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: in season | $80 |
| Pacific Northwest and Alaska | |||||||||||||
| Depoe Bay and Newport | January: peak | February: quiet | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: peak | $30 |
| Juneau | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: in season | May: in season | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: in season | October: quiet | November: quiet | December: quiet | $154 |
| San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor and Anacortes) | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | $99 |
| Seward | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | $109 |
| Tofino | January: in season | February: in season | March: peak | April: peak | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | C$169 |
| Victoria | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: in season | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | C$159 |
| Hawaii | |||||||||||||
| Kona | January: peak | February: peak | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | $99.99 |
| Maui | January: peak | February: peak | March: peak | April: in season | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: quiet | August: quiet | September: quiet | October: quiet | November: quiet | December: in season | $84.19 |
| Mexico and the Caribbean | |||||||||||||
| Cabo San Lucas | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: quiet | August: quiet | September: quiet | October: quiet | November: quiet | December: in season | $73 |
| Puerto Vallarta | January: peak | February: peak | March: in season | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: quiet | August: quiet | September: quiet | October: quiet | November: quiet | December: in season | $69 |
| Samaná | January: in season | February: peak | March: in season | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: quiet | August: quiet | September: quiet | October: quiet | November: quiet | December: quiet | $45 |
| San Ignacio Lagoon | January: in season | February: peak | March: peak | April: in season | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: quiet | August: quiet | September: quiet | October: quiet | November: quiet | December: quiet | MXN 1,350 |
| Europe | |||||||||||||
| Azores | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: peak | August: peak | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | €55 |
| Húsavík | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: in season | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: in season | November: in season | December: quiet | ISK 12,490 |
| Madeira | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | €40 |
| Reykjavík | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: peak | May: peak | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: peak | November: in season | December: in season | ISK 12,998 |
| Tenerife | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | €28 |
| Tromsø | January: in season | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: quiet | August: quiet | September: quiet | October: quiet | November: in season | December: in season | NOK 1,890 |
| Southern Hemisphere | |||||||||||||
| Gold Coast | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | A$79.50 |
| Hermanus | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: peak | July: peak | August: peak | September: peak | October: peak | November: peak | December: in season | R550 |
| Hervey Bay | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: in season | August: in season | September: peak | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | A$110 |
| Kaikoura | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | NZ$185 |
| Plettenberg Bay | January: in season | February: in season | March: in season | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: in season | R1,250 |
| Sydney | January: quiet | February: quiet | March: quiet | April: quiet | May: in season | June: peak | July: peak | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: quiet | December: quiet | A$89 |
| Asia | |||||||||||||
| Mirissa | January: peak | February: peak | March: peak | April: peak | May: quiet | June: quiet | July: quiet | August: in season | September: in season | October: quiet | November: in season | December: in season | LKR 16,000 |
Peak for a species In season Quiet
Every town we cover
New England and Eastern Canada
- Bar Harbor, Maine 1 operator, from $84
- Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia 4 operators, from C$65
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts 2 operators, from $75
- Gloucester, Massachusetts 2 operators, from $68
California
- Dana Point, California 3 operators, from $40
- Monterey, California 4 operators, from $60
- Newport Beach, California 3 operators, from $38.75
- San Diego, California 4 operators, from $30
- San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, California 3 operators, from $72
- Santa Barbara, California 3 operators, from $80
Pacific Northwest and Alaska
- Depoe Bay and Newport, Oregon 4 operators, from $30
- Juneau, Alaska 4 operators, from $154
- San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor and Anacortes), Washington 4 operators, from $99
- Seward, Alaska (Kenai Fjords) 3 operators, from $109
- Tofino, British Columbia 3 operators, from C$169
- Victoria, British Columbia 3 operators, from C$159
Hawaii
- Kona, Big Island, Hawaii 3 operators, from $99.99
- Maui, Hawaii 4 operators, from $84.19
Mexico and the Caribbean
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 4 operators, from $73
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 3 operators, from $69
- Samaná, Dominican Republic 3 operators, from $45
- San Ignacio Lagoon, Mexico 3 operators, from MXN 1,350
Europe
- Azores, Portugal 4 operators, from €55
- Húsavík, Iceland 3 operators, from ISK 12,490
- Madeira, Portugal 4 operators, from €40
- Reykjavík, Iceland 2 operators, from ISK 12,998
- Tenerife, Spain 3 operators, from €28
- Tromsø, Norway 2 operators, from NOK 1,890
Southern Hemisphere
- Gold Coast, Australia 4 operators, from A$79.50
- Hermanus, South Africa 3 operators, from R550
- Hervey Bay, Australia 4 operators, from A$110
- Kaikoura, New Zealand 3 operators, from NZ$185
- Plettenberg Bay, South Africa 2 operators, from R1,250
- Sydney, Australia 4 operators, from A$89
Asia
- Mirissa, Sri Lanka 3 operators, from LKR 16,000
What trips cost, and what happens if you see nothing
Across the 11 towns where operators list prices in US dollars, a standard trip starts at about $68 per adult. The lowest starting prices are in San Diego ($30), Depoe Bay and Newport ($30) and Newport Beach ($38.75). Everywhere else, prices are in the operator's own currency.
74 of the 111 operators say what happens if no whales are seen, and 39 of them offer another trip for free. The wording varies a lot, from a full refund to a standby voucher that expires at the end of the season. Every operator's promise, in their own words.
Every operator, cheapest trip first
| Operator | What you get | Town | From | Length | Group | If no whales | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whale Watching Adventure |
$30 per adult |
3 hours |
No guarantee you will see whales | Check dates | |||
1 Hour Whale Watching Cruise |
$30 per adult |
1 hour |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Sea Kayaking (guided eco marine sea kayak tour) |
R550 per person |
2 hours (90 minutes of paddling after check-in and safety briefing) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Los Rápidos |
€28 per person |
2 hours |
12 seats |
Sightings guaranteed depending on sea conditions; no refund terms stated | Check dates | ||
2h Costa Adeje Whale Watching Excursion |
€30 per adult |
2 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Excursion 2 Hours' Mini Cruise |
€33 per adult |
2 hours |
Boat maximum 220 passengers |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Newport Beach Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise |
$38.75 per adult |
About 120 minutes |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale and Marine Life Tour |
$40 per person |
About 2.5 hours (9:30 am to 12:30 pm) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Dolphin and Whale Watching from an Eco-Friendly Catamaran (3h) |
€40 per adult |
About 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Another tour for EUR 10 per person if no dolphins or whales are seen | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Tour |
$45 per adult |
About 1.5 hours (9:30 am, back about 11 am) |
Advertises guaranteed whale sightings; terms not stated | Check dates | |||
Mega Nova whale and seabird cruise |
C$65 per adult |
2.5 to 5 hours |
Captain may issue free passes at their discretion if no whales are sighted; no refunds | Check dates | |||
Sea Life Cruise |
$50 per adult |
2 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Gold Coast Whale Escape: Luxury Whale Watching Cruise |
A$79.50 per person |
2.5 hours; departs 9:00am (board 8:30am) or 12:00pm (board 11:30am) |
up to 135 guests |
Return free if no whale is spotted | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching Mirissa Tour |
LKR 16,000 per adult |
Usually 4 to 6 hours, sometimes 7 to 7.5 hours; departs 6:30am |
Limited to 55 guests per tour |
No guarantee; operator estimates about 50% for whales and 90% for dolphins | Check dates | ||
Whale & Dolphin Watching |
€48 per adult |
2.5 hours |
Minimum 6 persons; RIBs carry up to 12 (Tiger I) or 18 (Tiger II) |
Second trip free if no cetaceans are spotted | Check dates | ||
San Diego Whale Watching Cruise |
$54 per adult |
3 to 3.5 hours |
See whales or your next trip is free, no expiration | Check dates | |||
Ribeira Brava whale watching tour |
€51.83 per adult |
2.5 hours |
Up to 16 people plus 2 crew |
None; sightings can't be guaranteed and no-sighting tours are not refunded | Check dates | ||
Sydney Whale Watching Cruise (Oz Whale Watching) |
A$89 per adult |
4 hours including boarding; lunch cruise 12:15pm to 4:15pm, breakfast cruise 8:15am to 12:15pm Saturday and Sunday |
Whale tours limited to 95 passengers (vessel capacity 180) |
Join another whale watching cruise free within 3 years if no whales are seen | Check dates | ||
Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise (Standard Ticket) |
A$89 per adult |
Approximately 2.5 hours; departure times vary by date |
Free return whale watching cruise valid for 12 months if no whale is sighted | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Tours |
$60 per adult |
3 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure |
$60 per person |
About 3.5 or 4 hours including boarding and disembarking |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
1.5 Hour Whale Watch |
$60 per person |
1.5 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
2hr Express Cruise |
A$93 per adult |
2 hours; departs 12:00pm and 3:00pm daily, plus 9:30am Saturday and Sunday |
Free return cruise in the same season if no whales are sighted (standby voucher) | Check dates | |||
The Whales and Dolphins of Queimada |
€55 per person |
About 3 hours |
12 to 24 per boat |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
1.5-Hour Whale Watch With Carrie & Koda |
$62.93 per adult |
1.5 hours |
Small groups; a 6-passenger tour is offered for guests who cannot climb stairs |
None; says sightings are not guaranteed | Check dates | ||
Tall Ship Whale Watching |
C$89 per adult |
Over 3.5 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
2.5hr Whale Watching Cruise |
A$99 per adult |
2.5 hours; 8:30am to 11:00am, 11:30am to 2:00pm, and 2:30pm to 5:00pm on weekends |
Free return voucher if no whale is seen | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching |
$65 per adult |
Boat carries 60 passengers |
Next trip free if no whales are seen | Check dates | |||
Whale Watch |
$68 per adult |
About 3 to 4 hours |
Voucher for a free whale watch, usable any time in the future, if no whales are seen | Check dates | |||
Whale Watch |
$68 per adult |
3 to 4 hours |
If no whales are seen, your party can return free for life until you do; no refunds | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Photo Safari |
$69 per adult |
3 hours |
Small groups (number not stated) |
Second free tour if no whales are seen (December 20 to March 1); no refunds | Check dates | ||
Whale watching cruise |
R1,250 per adult |
1 hour 30 minutes |
None; operator says it cannot guarantee sightings | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Cruise |
A$109 per adult |
2.5 hours (page also says 2.5 to 3 hours); daily at 9:30am and 1:30pm |
Vessel surveyed for 120 passengers plus 5 crew |
Complimentary return cruise in the same season if no whales are sighted; transferable, no refunds | Check dates | ||
Boat Club Hervey Bay Whale Watch |
A$110 per adult |
About 4 hours; departs 8:30am and 1:30pm |
Complimentary return ticket if no whale is found, for cruises 23 July to 7 October | Check dates | |||
Golden Gate Whale Watch |
$72 per adult |
2 hours 30 minutes |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour |
$72.08 per adult |
2 hours |
Free return ticket (Whale Check, never expires) if the captain judges no satisfactory showing | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Tour |
MXN 1,350 per adult |
About 2 hours on the water |
Up to 12 passengers per boat; boats may be shared with other groups |
None; operator says whale encounters cannot be guaranteed | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching |
$73 per adult |
About 2 hours plus transport; daily 9am and 12pm |
No guarantee; you still get the scenery and landmarks | Check dates | |||
Whale Watch |
$75 per adult |
About 3.5 to 4 hours |
Free transferable pass for a future trip if no whales are seen; passes never expire | Check dates | |||
Whale and Dolphin Watching (shared tour) |
$75 per person |
About 4 to 5 hours; departs 6:30am |
Free rescheduled shared trip if no whales are seen, subject to seats; no refund | Check dates | |||
Daily Whale Watching Tours |
$75 per adult |
9:00 AM trip 3.5 to 4 hours (mid-March to October) or 2.5 to 3 hours (November to early March); 1:30 PM trip 2.5 to 3 hours |
Minimum 10 passengers for a trip to depart |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Whale Watch Tour |
C$105 per adult |
2 hours |
None; operator says sightings cannot be guaranteed, reports a 95 to 100% sighting rate in season | Check dates | |||
Cabo Whale Watching |
$76 per person |
2 hours |
None; operator says it cannot give an absolute guarantee | Check dates | |||
Daily Monterey Bay Whale Watch Tour |
$76.32 per adult |
AM trips 3.5 to 4 hours, PM trips 3 hours |
Capacity 49 to 117 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) |
€70 per adult |
Half day, about 3 hours including check-in and safety briefing |
Join another tour for free if no cetaceans are seen | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching, half day (Meio Dia) |
€70 per adult |
Half day, morning or afternoon |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Tour |
$79.50 per adult |
2.5 to 3 hours, fully narrated |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching |
$80 per adult |
2.5 hours (Jan 3 to early May) or 4.5 hours (early May to Dec 31) |
up to 127 passengers (U.S. Coast Guard certification) |
Whale check for a free trip of equal value if no whales are seen; never expires; captain's discretion | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching |
$80 per adult |
up to 2.5 hours |
Maximum 16 passengers |
None; operator cites an expected 65% sighting ratio in season | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching (Half Day) |
€74.90 per adult |
Half day |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale Watch |
$84 per adult |
3 to 5.5 hours |
If no whales are seen, ticket becomes a voucher for another whale watch or harbor cruise within three years | Check dates | |||
Classic Whale Watch |
$84.19 per adult |
About 2 hours; morning and afternoon departures |
Capacity capped at 67% of the vessel maximum |
Go again free on another whale watch of equal or lesser value within one year | Check dates | ||
Ultimate Whale Watching: Intimate, Fast, More Sightings |
$84.50 per adult |
120 minutes (approx.) |
Limited passenger count, each with own seat; minimum 7 per trip |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
San Diego Whale Watching |
$85 per adult |
3.5 to 4 hours; check in 10:00 to 10:30 AM, depart 11:00 AM, back by 3:00 PM |
Capacity 77 people |
Come back free on any future trip if no whales or dolphins are seen; no expiration | Check dates | ||
Signature Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari |
$86.92 per adult |
2.5 hours |
20 to 65 passengers depending on boat |
Free return Signature Safari within one year if no whales and no dolphins are seen | Check dates | ||
Whale Watch 2 Hr |
$88 per adult |
2 hours |
28 guests or less |
See a whale or go again free (applies to trips December 1 to May 1) | Check dates | ||
Hermanus Whale Watching Experience |
R1,580 per adult |
1h30 to 3 hours, about 2 hours on average |
50% refund or a free place on the next available tour if no whales are seen | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching from Kihei |
$89 per adult |
1.5 hours; departures 7, 9 and 11 am |
Max 24 |
Guaranteed whale sightings or another trip free | Check dates | ||
Bay of Fundy Whale and Wildlife Cruise |
$89 per adult |
Cruises average 2.5 to 3 hours |
46 passengers and 3 crew |
None; operator says no one can guarantee wildlife, reports a 95 to 100% success rate | Check dates | ||
Whale + Dolphin Watching |
$90 per adult |
4.5 hours; morning start 08:00, afternoon 12:30 |
12, 14 or 20 passengers depending on boat |
100% guarantee the animals are found or your money back | Check dates | ||
GG1 Whale Watching |
ISK 12,490 per adult |
About 3 hours |
Free GG1 trip, subject to availability, if no whales or dolphins are seen; no refunds | Check dates | |||
Húsavík Original Whale Watching |
ISK 12,990 per adult |
3 hours approx. |
Another trip free of charge if no whales are seen | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Reykjavík |
ISK 12,998 per adult |
2.5 to 3.5 hours |
Free ticket to try again if there are no sightings | Check dates | |||
Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure |
$99 per adult |
2.5 hours |
Small groups (number not stated) |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Signature Whale Watch |
$99 per adult |
3-4 hours |
50% off voucher for another Signature tour if no whale is seen; no expiry | Check dates | |||
Dolphin and Whale Watching Kailua-Kona |
$99.99 per person |
2.5 hours; two departures daily |
6 to 20 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Half Day Whale Watching Tours |
A$155 per adult |
About 4 hours; morning cruise 8:30am, afternoon cruise 1:30pm |
Free return cruise ticket if no whales are sighted | Check dates | |||
Half Day Whale Watching Encounter |
A$155 per adult |
About 4 hours; 8:30am to 12:30pm or 1:30pm to 5:30pm |
Limited to approximately 85 passengers in whale season |
Open dated return ticket if no whales are seen | Check dates | ||
Whale & Sail: Whale Watching Experience |
A$155 per adult |
About 5 hours; departs 10:45am, returns about 3:00pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Reykjavík Classic Whale Watching |
ISK 14,500 per adult |
2 to 3.5 hours |
Free Classic tour ticket (valid at least 2 years) if no whales or dolphins are seen | Check dates | |||
Spring Wildlife Cruise |
$109 per adult |
4 hours (12:30 pm to 4:30 pm) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale Watch Tour: Ocean Cabin |
NZ$185 per adult |
Just over 2 hours on the water; allow 3 hours 15 minutes in total |
Ocean's Cabin holds 104; numbers per tour kept well below that |
80% refund of fare if the tour does not see a whale | Check dates | ||
Victoria Whale Watching - Semi-Covered Vessel Tour |
C$159 per person |
3 hours |
Complimentary return tour if whales are not found | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching on The Coastal Cruiser |
C$169 per adult |
2.5 hours |
Free return trip if no whale is seen; standby, confirm 60 minutes before, no expiry | Check dates | |||
Humpback Whale Watching |
$124 per adult |
3 hours plus a half-hour talk before; 8:30am-12pm or 1-4:30pm |
Max 14 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Super-Raft Whale Watching Adventure |
$125 per adult |
2.5 hours; departs 1:30 pm daily |
Sightings guaranteed or come again for free | Check dates | |||
Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour from Friday Harbor |
$125 per adult |
3-4 hours (12:30 PM and 5:30 PM departures) |
1-125, varies by season |
No whale guarantee; cites a 90% whale sighting rate June to September | Check dates | ||
Half-Day Whale Watching Semi-Covered |
C$179 per person |
3.5 to 4+ hours |
If no whales are seen, join again free until you do; no expiry, no standby | Check dates | |||
Zodiac Whale Watching |
C$179.14 per person |
2.5-3 hours |
12 passengers per Zodiac |
Free Raincheck Ticket for another tour if no whale is seen; never expires; confirm seat 60 minutes ahead | Check dates | ||
Classic Whalewatch |
NZ$220 per person |
30 mins |
2 to 4 passengers |
No refund if no whale is seen; operator reports seeing whales 97% of the time | Check dates | ||
Marine Big 5 Tour |
R2,340 per adult |
Licensed for 50 passengers |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
3 Hour Whale Watch Cruise |
$135 per adult |
3 hours |
Advertised as guaranteed tours; terms not stated | Check dates | |||
Half-Day Whale Watching |
C$189 per adult |
3 to 4 hours |
Another free trip if no whales are seen on your first; never expires | Check dates | |||
Exclusive Whale Watching Encounter |
A$210 per adult |
Full day, 7:30am to about 3:30pm (about 8 hours) |
Maximum 24 passengers |
No guarantee, since these are wild animals | Check dates | ||
3 Hour Whale Watching Adventure |
$154 per person |
3 hours 15 minutes, about 2 hours on the water |
Advertises guaranteed humpback sightings; refund terms not stated | Check dates | |||
Juneau Whale Watching |
$155 per person |
3 to 3.5 hours total, about 2 hours on the water |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Flight |
NZ$265 per adult |
30-minute flight; allow 60 minutes including check-in |
None; operator says sightings cannot be guaranteed | Check dates | |||
Premier Catamaran Whale Watch |
$159 per person |
4 hours (about 1 hour round-trip transfer, 3 hours whale watching and sightseeing) |
up to 49 guests |
Money back if no whale is seen, May 15 to September 15 | Check dates | ||
Big Whales and Puffins |
ISK 21,990 per person |
2 hours |
Maximum 12 passengers per boat; minimum 4 per departure |
Return ticket if no whales or dolphins are seen; no refunds | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching Tours |
$169 per adult |
3.5 hours total, including 2 hours on the water |
Refund if you do not see a whale | Check dates | |||
Tromsø - Whale watching with comfortable and spacious boat |
NOK 1,890 per adult |
About 8 hours (08:30 to about 16:30) |
8 to 250 |
No guarantee; no money back if no whales are seen | Check dates | ||
Half-Day Whales & Wildlife Tour |
$199 per person |
4 hours |
No more than 16 guests (typically 12 to 16) |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half Day Tour |
$209 per person |
3.5 hours (8:30 am or 1:00 pm departures, May 15 to August 31) |
2 minimum, 6 maximum |
None; wildlife and destinations are never guaranteed | Check dates | ||
Farallon Islands Whale Watching |
$320 per person |
8 hours (check-in 8:00am, departs 8:30am, back about 4:30pm) |
up to 48 passengers, typically about 33 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching RIB Tour |
NOK 3,500 per person |
Full day, about 12 hours (bus 05:30 to about 17:30) |
Up to 12 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Private 2-hour charter |
$375 per group |
2 hours |
up to 6 |
Free next tour if no whales are seen, with no expiration | Check dates | ||
San Ignacio Whale Watching |
$1,640 per adult |
3 days with 2 nights at camp; whale watching sessions of about 2 hours |
Up to 6 guests per panga; minimum 4 guests per departure |
None; operator says it cannot guarantee whales or mothers with calves | Check dates | ||
Private Charters |
$2,070 per group |
3-hour minimum |
up to 40 guests at the base rate (up to 80 at higher rates) |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Whale Watch |
Not listed |
3 to 4 hours |
Sightings guaranteed; if none, paying passengers get a pass for a future trip, not a refund | Check dates | |||
Sydney Whale Watching Cruise |
Not listed |
2.5 hours (page title says 3 hours) |
Free re-cruise if no whales are seen, rebooked within 5 days of the original trip | Check dates | |||
Shared Big Boat |
Not listed |
Usually 3 to 5 hours; departs around 7:00am |
None; says sightings are natural and not assured | Check dates | |||
Resurrection Bay Tour |
Not listed |
4 hours (12 p.m. departure, daily May 14 to September 11, 2027) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Ka'anapali Whale Watch |
Not listed |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas |
Not listed |
2.5 hours |
Another trip free of charge if no whales are spotted | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching Cruise |
Not listed |
2 hours |
Private parties of up to 30 passengers and smaller groups |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Santa Barbara Whale Watching (Double Dolphin) |
Not listed |
About 2.5 hours |
49 passengers maximum, not counting captain and crew |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching |
Not listed |
3 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Whale Watching on Whiteraven (Zodiac) |
Not listed |
2.5 hours |
up to 12 guests |
Free raincheck within 12 months if no whales are seen, subject to availability | Check dates | ||
San Ignacio Lagoon Gray Whale Watching |
Not listed |
4 days/3 nights or 6 days/5 nights; up to 8 or 14 whale sessions of about 90 minutes |
Pangas hold up to 12; operator aims for 6 to 7 guests plus captain and naturalist |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching Tour |
Not listed |
Half day (back at the pier at noon) or full day with lunch on Cayo Levantado |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
All Inclusive 3H Dolphin and Whale Watching from Funchal with Luxury Catamaran |
Not listed |
3 hours |
Up to 17 guests with 3 crew |
Not stated | Check dates |
Each operator's cheapest listed trip, from its own website on October 21, 2026. Prices in other currencies are placed by their rough US dollar value. How we compare.