15 Standout Two-Hour Whale Watching Trips Worldwide

1.2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,929 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49Our pick

Set out from Ala Wai Harbor with Captain Logan and crew for a two-hour whale watch along Oahu’s coast. From December to May, look for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish while guides explain whale behavior. Use the open upper deck, shaded cabin, or onboard hydrophone, and bring your own snacks and drinks.

“The captain and crew were super knowledgeable about whales and whale watching. They took us to several different locations and while we were unable to see any wheels near Oahu, we did receive a free pass to go well watching in Maui… Where we saw many, many whales! It was phenomenal and we were happy that we did try again in Maui.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2-Hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,375 reviews · 2 hours · from $27

Set out from Balboa Pavilion with an English-speaking crew for two hours off Newport Beach. Captain Hunter, Kayla, and other guides have helped guests spot blue, fin, gray, and humpback whales, plus huge dolphin pods, sea lions, and birds. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the Newport-Laguna coastline and low price make this an easy outing near Disneyland.

“We arrived a little before time to go, and the trip was wonderful. Although we saw no whales, we did enjoy seeing two large pods of dolphins and were able to hang with them for a while. The captain was very helpful and we even had a volunteer naturalist on board. Thanks for a great day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Waikiki, Oahu 2-Hour Whale Watching: Guaranteed Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,064 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

Set out from Pink Sails Waikiki for a two-hour winter whale watch from December through April. Captain Jamie and crew members such as Alex, Peter, Tyler, and Ryan explain whale behavior while you scan for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. If no whale appears, you can ride again free.

“Waikiki Pink Sails is great! Lots of whales, spouts, tails, deep dives. Capt Jamie knows whales, Ryan and Tyler were great crew.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.2h Dolphin and Whale Viewing + Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 940 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $62

Set out from Puerto del Morro Jable on a small speedboat with a crew led by guides such as Maurizio and Christina. Search for dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, turtles, and rays, then stop for 30 minutes of snorkeling. Expect music, cold drinks, close sea views, and a wet, bumpy ride.

“Very friendly service from the team, good organisation - was possible to use the public restroom before the start. Saw lots of friendly dolphins and had some time to swim as well - definitely a highlight of the trip in fuertaventura.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Two-Hour Luxury Whale Watching Tour from Oceanside

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 937 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $64

Board a 50-foot catamaran at Oceanside Harbor for a two-hour cruise along the San Diego coast. A certified marine naturalist captain narrates the trip while you look for gray, blue, humpback, and fin whales, plus dolphins and sea lions. The boat carries up to 40 people and has covered seating, open viewing areas, and a cash bar.

“Great experience. Saw lots of dolphins. Very nice and knowledgeable crew. The boat itself was the perfect size and the time period was just right.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Morro Jable: 2 Hours Magic Dolphin & Whale watching with Drinks & Swim Stop.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 851 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Set out from Morro Jable on a fast, modern boat to search for dolphins, pilot whales, and other marine life. Guides such as Miguel, Nino, Elisa, and Karalina provide commentary, drinks are served onboard, and the trip may include a swim in Jandia Bay. Sightings are never guaranteed.

“We had a wonderful experience with Nino and Luca on our tour on November 26th at 10:00 AM. We were incredibly lucky to see a whole pod of pilot whales — truly unforgettable! And even if we hadn’t been so lucky, the tour itself would still have been worth it. Both were very professional and caring, especially with guests who were feeling seasick. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

From Circular Quay, Fantasea Crystal reaches the open ocean in about 20 minutes, leaving roughly 90 minutes to look for humpback whales, dolphins, and seals. Choose the open sun deck, covered rear deck, or air-conditioned cabin. Guides such as Josh, Wayde, and Kate have added lively commentary on some departures. No whale sighting means a free return cruise.

“Great afternoon out got to see some whales and dolphins.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Whale Watching Maui: 2-Hour Small Group Raft Tour from Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 661 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80Top rated

Join a small raft from Lahaina for two hours in Maui Nui’s humpback whale waters. Captains such as Will and Joe work with marine naturalists including Renee and Brian, while a hydrophone lets you hear whale song underwater. Filtered water, reef-safe sunscreen, and rainy-day ponchos are provided.

“Crew was fantastic Saw lots of whales up close Meeting place easy to find check in was quick would do it again”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.2h Viking Cruise Whales & Dolphins Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 596 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Best value

Join the Viking Tenerife Ragnarok crew in Los Cristianos for a two-hour cruise along Tenerife’s southern coast. You’ll search for pilot whales and dolphins, hear commentary in English and Spanish, and may spot turtles. The crew keeps children involved with Viking character, optional face painting, photos, snacks, and drinks. Guide Luna is praised for her warm, helpful approach.

“Absolutely great experience especially for the kids the staff on board are amazing and very informative”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Cruise from Bay Bulls through the four islands of Witless Bay Ecological Reserve with a naturalist guide, watching puffins, murres, petrels, and other seabirds. Whales and dolphins are possible, not guaranteed. The family-run crew adds local stories, songs, fishing, and optional screeching in season. A shuttle from St. John’s may be added for CAD 35.

“Wonderful experience. The staff were knowledgeable and attentive. The sites were beautiful. The boat was clean. We had a great time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.2-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 489 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join Whale Watching Akureyri for a fast, close-range search for whales in Eyjafjord. Your English-speaking guide and captain take up to 12 people across the fjord in a small RIB, with warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety gear provided. Expect mountain views, possible humpback and minke sightings, and an exciting, sometimes wet ride.

“The whole experience was awesome. it was fairly cold and rainy, but the suits provided were great and kept us warm. there were 2 whales in the area about a 20 minute ride from the port. They were very active and we got so see plenty of action. Our guide Gisella was amazing. in between sitings she would give us info about the whales and the area we were observing. definitely a added value on the trip. Excellent experience. a "must do" while you're in Akureyri!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.From Fremantle: 2-Hour Luxury Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 455 reviews · 2 hours · from $67

From Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, you’ll spend two hours aboard the Steep Point, a purpose-built catamaran with five viewing decks, warm indoor seating, and live commentary from marine mammal experts. Look for humpback whales resting, breaching, tail slapping, and socializing in Perth’s sheltered waters. Mothers and calves are often seen from October.

“We saw a lot of whales ! Very very nice experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John’s

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 455 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $112

From Iceberg Quest’s Pier 6 base, you’ll cruise past St. John’s harbour, Signal Hill, Fort Amherst, Blackhead Sea Caves, and Cape Spear. The captain and crew explain local history and marine life in English. A heated cabin helps on cold days, but sightings of whales, puffins, and icebergs are never guaranteed.

“This experience was amazing. The crew was lots of fun and very informative. We saw puffins, a bald eagle and lots of whales. I would highly recommend this”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Bonadea II Ecological Whale Watching, 2 hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 378 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $78

Join Sergio aboard a quiet, six-person boat for a two-hour ecological whale-watching trip from Costa Adeje. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and Cory’s shearwaters in the protected Teno-Rasca marine zone. The small group allows close observation without crowding the animals, while Sergio explains the wildlife and collects floating plastic when possible.

“Maravillosa experiencia, actividad realizada con mucho respeto hacia el medio animal y marino. Sin duda para repetir”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Private 2 hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 174 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Meet at Puerto Colón Marina for a private two-hour trip aboard an 8-meter boat. Guides including Ion, Carlota, and John explain Tenerife’s whales and dolphins, use a hydrophone, follow responsible viewing rules, and email wildlife photos afterward.

“We had a fantastic whale watching trip with Whale Watch Tenerife. Our biologist, Carlota, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, sharing fascinating information while showing great respect for the whales.”

Check availability →Read our full review