Our 6 Best One-Day Whale Watching Trips Worldwide

1.From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 863 reviews · 11 hours · from $186Our pick

Travel from Fontaine de Tourny to Baie-Sainte-Catherine by air-conditioned bus, then choose a roomy whale-watching boat or fast Zodiac. Naturalist guides explain the St. Lawrence’s whales in English and French. Expect Saguenay Fjord views, cold weather, a long road day, and a strong chance of seeing several species.

“This is the first time we have joined the whale watching excursion in my life .That is a great challenge For us to stay in the ocean for 3 hours , which is thrilling and stimulating. We enjoyed it very much!”

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

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

Take a 75-minute ferry from Brisbane to Tangalooma, then join a three-hour whale watch cruise with an Eco Ranger, commentary, light lunch, and refreshments. You can use the resort pools, beach, restaurants, and bars, though the tight schedule leaves little time on land. A dolphin presentation is also included.

“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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3.Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · from $169

Leave Punta Cana before sunrise for a full-day trip to Samaná Bay and El Limón Waterfall. You’ll sail by catamaran for humpback whale watching, then ride a horse for about 30 minutes through tropical vegetation to a 165-foot waterfall. Expect roughly 10 hours of transport, a maximum group of 45, and a moderate level of fitness.

“The boat crew and whale watch was fun- although short - once we’d seen a few whales! The guide basically said. That’s good enough . The horse back ride was awful - the hoses are in terrible shape and maltreated - yelled at and hit Read more”

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4.Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 87 reviews · 12 hours · from $189

Travel from Punta Cana, Bávaro, Uvero Alto, Cap Cana, or Bayahibe to Samaná for humpback whale watching, a beach stop at Cayo Levantado, and a horseback ride to El Limón Waterfall. The day includes a light breakfast, Dominican buffet lunch, drinks, guides in five languages, and transport, but expect a long day with plenty of road time.

“Pickup from my hotel at 6:30am was smooth, but we spent long stretches waiting and driving between stops before reaching the boat dock. We arrived at the dock at 915am. Breakfast was a ham sandwich and fruit. Whale watching was rough due to choppy water, and we saw very few whales. We spent an hour on Saona Island with pushy photographers. Expect to pay $40–50 USD for photos. Lunch is a mainland buffet with great food, but it’s the last meal. You’re shuttled to the waterfall/“horseback” ride, where attendants repeatedly ask for tips, including $50 for the volunteer and animal. You spend ~30 minutes at the waterfall, then ride back.…”

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5.Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $136Top rated

Spend about 11 hours exploring North Stradbroke Island with a guide such as Ivy, Jack, Anto, Tez, or Viv. Ride the ferry across Moreton Bay, walk the North Gorge, search for koalas and kangaroos, relax at Cylinder Beach, and watch for dolphins and winter whales. The small group is capped at 11 people.

“We saw quite a bit of wildlife, for example: a pod of dolphins surfing, whale slapping it's pectoral fin, turtles, koalas and more. The guide was very friendly and it was lovely having the smaller group.”

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6.Boavista: Whale Watching half day trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $76Best value

You’ll travel from your hotel to Sal Rei, transfer by dinghy to a Zodiac, and spend about three hours searching Boa Vista’s waters for humpback whales. A local marine biologist explains their behavior and migration. The best season is February to May, with sightings likely but never guaranteed. Bring sun protection, water, and motion-sickness medication.

“We hebben meerdere walvissen gezien en daarnaast het gezang van walvissen gehoord. Heel bijzonder. er werd veel informatie gegeven gedurende de tour.”

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