Our 15 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.Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $546

Trade Vancouver traffic for a 35-minute Harbour Air seaplane flight to Victoria, then spend three hours on the Salish Sea with Orca Spirit Adventures. Guides such as Shannon, Josh, Luke, and Liam have led highly praised trips, but wildlife sightings vary. Choose a covered vessel or, if age and height rules fit, an open Zodiac.

“Great trip, great team, it was just perfect , respectful of the whales, very pleasant flight trip, well done”

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3.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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4.Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 115 reviews · 4h 30m · from $229

Meet Alaska Tales near Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram, ride to Mendenhall Glacier for 45 minutes, then board a whale-watching boat for two hours. Guides such as Captain James, Steph, Greg, and Riley explain local wildlife while you watch for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, eagles, and bubble-net feeding.

“Overall this is a good activity. Our bus driver arrived a little late this affected the time at the glacier”

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5.Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $520

Fly 35 minutes from Vancouver Harbour to Victoria with views of Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, and the Gulf Islands. Then join Orca Spirit Adventures for a three-hour whale-watching trip with expert guides such as Jeff and Shannon, followed by free time in Victoria before your return flight.

“need to a A LOT CLEARER about meeting points as almost missed trip due to grossly inaccurate map pin and lack of detail in meeting point info. SORT THIS OUT.”

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6.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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7.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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8.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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9.Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 29 reviews · from $101

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus for shore-based Southern Right Whale watching, free time in town, and a one-hour tasting at Bouchard Finlayson Winery. A boat trip is available at your own cost. Guides such as Armoy Olivier and Jean have helped guests find prime viewing spots, while Sunday departures replace the winery with Stoney Point penguins.

“It was a very nice tour but it wouldn't be without the boat trip. From the coast at this time of the year you can't see any whales, but from the boat we saw whales,seals and man many dolphins and it was great!”

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10.From Svolvær: Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 27 reviews · from $361

Spend about 14 hours traveling from Svolvær to Andenes by Arctic Route bus, then head onto the open sea in a rigid inflatable boat. Look for sperm whales, orcas, and dolphins during a three-hour safari. The trip includes ferries, a light lunch, safety gear, Wi-Fi, charging ports, and a Bleik Beach photo stop.

“Because the bus stop had been moved due to work, we were confused about the boarding location in Solvaer... We didn't see the bus and therefore didn't pick it up. We took a taxi to the ferry as quickly as possible... but we were 5 minutes late... Expedition costs gone, taxi costs added, a very big disappointment to process!!!! So sad!!!!”

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11.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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12.Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 15 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $150

Leave Punta Cana early for a full day in Samaná Province. Watch humpback whales for about 2.5 hours from January through March, eat a Dominican buffet at Bacardi Island, then choose Salto El Limón by horseback or Playa Rincón by safari truck. Multilingual guides, including Christelle, lead the trip.

“Partis à 6h15 de l’hôtel pour arriver à 10h00 au port alors qu’il y a 2 heures de route. 1h00 d’attente pour avoir le bateau. Dans le bateau on est serrés comme des sardines, ils disent 4 personnes par banquette mais il faudrait tenir compte de la corpulence de certains passagers très nombreux sur ces excursions. Donc à l’arrière vous ne voyez absolument pas la mer et quand enfin vous approchez des baleines si elles sont du côté opposé vous ne voyez rien, vous les voyez 10 secondes quand le bateau tourne. En plus plusieurs personnes malades qui demandent à rejoindre la terre ferme, pas de sac à vomi dans…”

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13.1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $331

Meet the Whale Expedition SA crew at Yzerfontein Harbour at 6:30 am for a small-group outing aboard Meganova, a fast, maneuverable RIB. Guides Ash, Jacques, Jan, and Eric help you search for humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Breakfast, boat snacks, protective clothing, and a picnic lunch are included.

“Amazing trip I'd highly recommend, especially photographers! Small groups of people which makes the trip so much nicer. Although we didn't get to see a super group, we saw a lone juvenile Humpback and then a mother with her calf. PleRead more”

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14.Whale Watching and Bacardi Island day trip from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · from $158

Sail into Samana Bay on a spacious catamaran with a guide helping you spot migrating humpback whales. Then spend two hours on Cayo Levantado, often called Bacardi Island, with buffet lunch, one drink, water, beer, and beach time. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“Pick up from my hotel was seamless (if a little early). The whales were great. The ride there was interesting. Loved lunch and time on the beach. Nacho told us some history of the island. Two recommendations, provide the guides with some information about whales and please don’t introduce politics into the trip.”

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15.Kaikoura Private Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $186

Travel from Christchurch to Kaikōura in a private vehicle with a professional driver and guide, often Steve or Dave. Add the optional whale-watching cruise for NZ$175 per person, then look for sperm whales, dolphins, and seals before returning to Christchurch. The day also allows time for coastal scenery, crayfish, and a short Kahutara River walk.

“Steve was an incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating guide. He went beyond the planned itinerary and added several extra stops along the way, allowing us to experience some truly stunning scenery. We took a helicopter ride for wRead more”

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