Top 15 Whale Watching Tours in the World

1.Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198Our pick

Join a small-group RIB tour from Húsavík with up to 12 passengers, warm water-resistant overalls, and an English-speaking guide. From April 15 to August 20, you visit Lundey Island for puffins, then search Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life.

“Amazing tour with very knowledgable staff! I remember Robert the boat drivers name but spacing the tall guides name from spain- both were AMAZING. Made sure we saw some whales and were equally as excited about it. Amazing guide!! Im sorry i dont remember your name but you were awesome!!❤️❤️”

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2.Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $444Top rated

Spend about eight hours on Ningaloo Reef with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive, following a spotter plane to find whale sharks. Expect several guided swims, reef snorkeling, meals, drinks, underwater photos, and a crew that may include Captain Sam, Molly, Isla, Seth, Fabs, or Monique.

“Finally finding a whale shark after 6 hours of waiting - the crew were really good and persisted and were happy to stay late”

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3.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185

Join Jake and the Raggy Charters crew at 8am for a four-hour catamaran trip across Algoa Bay. A maximum of 20 people gives you room to ask questions while looking for humpback whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds and African penguins around St. Croix Island.

“All four crew on boat very helpful and knowledgeable. On time, clean boat, saw penguins on the island and dolphins and a whale close up.”

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4.Pico Island: Azores Whale & Dolphin Watching on Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 408 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $53Best value

From Lajes do Pico, you’ll join an English or Portuguese-speaking guide and skipper on a Zodiac RIB to search for more than 25 cetacean species. Expect a safety briefing, waterproof gear, coastal views, and a short refreshment stop after the wildlife search.

“So plenty of dolphins and Whales. The guides were friendly and informative.”

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5.Fijian Islands and Snorkel Full-Day Whales Tale Cruise including Beach BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 408 reviews · from $117

Board the 100-foot Whale’s Tale in Nadi for a seven-hour cruise to private Snorkel Island. Enjoy scones and Champagne, reef snorkeling with provided gear, a beach barbecue, and music with the Fijian crew. Hotel transfers cover central Nadi, the Coral Coast, and Lautoka.

“Absolutely amazing!! Really good food, experience & lots of laughs. Highly recommend! Thank you to the boys for such an amazing day! 🩵🇦🇺”

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6.Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 292 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $92

Spend six to eight hours cruising Tikapa Moana from Auckland with a live English-speaking guide, dedicated marine mammal searches, and a stop at Rotoroa Island or Man O’ War Vineyard. Expect open-water views, conservation stories, onboard snacks, and a return voucher if no mammals are seen.

“I loved visiting the Rototoa Island. And we loved to watched dolphins. It was amazing experience!”

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7.Kailua-Kona: Whale Watching Cruise on the Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 273 reviews · 2h 30m · from $115

From Honokohau Harbor, you’ll spend 150 minutes searching for humpback whales aboard a 24-person catamaran. The crew uses hydrophones so you can hear whale song underwater, points out dolphins and other sea life, and serves snacks and drinks. Captains such as Bryce, Aidan, Jacob, and Simon may lead your trip.

“Amazing afternoon with the Hang Loose crew! They kept things fun but educational at the same time. Highly recommended!!”

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8.Port Stephens: 2.5-Hour Whale Watching & Outer Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 156 reviews · from $53

Spend 2.5 hours aboard Moonshadow TQC Cruises’ Hinchinbrook Explorer or MV Osprey, cruising past Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands toward the Outer Islands. Watch for humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds from two open-air decks, with tea, coffee, and live English commentary included.

“The facilities on board were excellent. The information given during the cruise was informative. In all, a very enjoyable cruise.”

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9.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $109

Travel by ferry from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort, then join a 3-hour whale-watching cruise with an Eco Ranger, commentary, light lunch, and guaranteed whale sightings. You also get resort access, a complimentary transfer drink, and a dolphin presentation.

“The trip is very informative and staff are very helpful. Lunch is a bit too light, just salad and a small ham & cheese muffin. We managed to see 7 to 8 whales! We were lucky to have fantastic weather.”

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10.Terceira: Whale & Dolphin Watching | Best Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 55 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $82

Set out from OceanEmotion’s red-covered office for a 2.5-hour whale and dolphin trip off Terceira. Land-based spotters guide the boat toward wildlife, while your guide uses a hydrophone to help you understand what is below. English, Portuguese, and Spanish tours are available, with private groups by request.

“Excelente. A guia foi fantástica,e o mais importante vimos imensos golfinhos. Adorei”

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11.Philip Island: Dolphin and Whale Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $95

Cruise Phillip Island’s southern coast past Cape Woolamai with an expert whale spotter and captain’s commentary. Look for humpback and southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and wandering albatrosses. Tea, coffee, and cake are included, with drinks available from the licensed bar.

“Overall experience was good but due to some reasons we couldn’t sight whales. You will get to see lot of Dolphins. The cruise is noisy engine in background. 3 hrs is a bit long journey & of you don’t spot whale then its bit disappointing. The staff was courteous & had good tea n cake facility onboard. You can book on a seasonal day & good weather.”

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12.Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 3h 30m · from $119

From Orcas Island, join Outer Island Excursions for a 210-minute search for orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales. A naturalist guide explains the animals and their behavior while you ride a fast boat with indoor seating, outdoor viewing decks, and a restroom. Guides may include Hannah, Trevor, Ginny, or Bruno.

“My family and I had a great experience, beautiful scenery- comfortable boat, friendly guides and we were able to watch a pod of orca’s feeding for a good amount of time!”

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13.Hervey Bay: Half-Day Whale and Island Adventure by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 27 reviews · 4 hours - 270 minutes · from $116

Join Bruce, Mark, and a small crew aboard Wipe Out for a fast half-day from Hervey Bay. Watch humpback whales along K’gari’s western coast, then reach a quiet beach or sandbank for swimming, paddleboarding, and beach games, conditions permitting.

“Amazing! One of the best tours I have experienced. The tour guides Bruce and Mark were great. I wouldn’t hesitate to rebook this tour.”

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14.Phillip Island: Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 4 hours · from $126

Join an English-speaking captain and crew in Rhyll for a four-hour winter cruise around Phillip Island. Watch for humpback and southern right whales, visit Seal Rocks, spot dolphins, and enjoy tea, coffee, and cake while learning about the coast and its wildlife.

“Cruise was great, friendly and informative staff, very helpful. Enjoyed every minute of it. Saw 5 whales, loads of dolphins and seals. Highly recommend”

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15.Tikapa Moana Dolphin, Whale and Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · from $105

Spend nearly eight hours cruising Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Marine Park in search of dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds. Your ticket includes live commentary, wildlife viewing aboard a purpose-built vessel, and a stop at Rotoroa Island or Man O’ War Vineyards. The 11:30am departure has no island stop.

“Great trip! We weren't lucky enough to see any whales but we did see dolphins! The stop at the winery was a wonderful side excursion.”

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