15 Luxury Whale Watching Trips Worth Flying For

1.Funchal Bay: Dolphin & Whale Watch Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,684 reviews · 3 hours · from $47Our pick

Join Atlantic Pearl Catamaran in Funchal for three hours of whale and dolphin watching, coastal views, and a swim stop beneath 580-meter Cabo Girão. You can sit in the shaded cabin, stretch out on deck, or relax in outdoor hammocks. Portuguese and English guides lead the trip, with drinks available to buy onboard.

“Very nice catamaran, with firendly crew. The limited number of persons is a big plus. We enjoyed a great morning, saw dolphins and had a swim at Gabo Girao.”

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2.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,573 reviews · 3 hours · from $93

Set out from Funchal with a sparkling wine welcome, then search for whales, dolphins, and turtles aboard a spacious catamaran limited to a small group. Guides such as Liv, David, Maggie, and Nico share facts about Madeira and marine life. The tour includes local snacks, unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, and a swim beneath Cabo Girão.

“Gre at boat, maximum of 17 people. loads of space. Great drinks and snacks. It is double the price of other trips but well worth it. Saw other boats crammed with people. This was perfect.”

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3.Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,107 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129Top rated

Cruise from the Cabo marina aboard a double-decker catamaran, passing the Arch and sea lion colony before searching for humpback whales along the Sea of Cortez. Guides such as Jacob, Marco, and Jorge explain whale behavior, while a hydrophone lets you hear songs below the boat. Drinks, snacks, and hotel pickup are available.

“What a lovely morning on the water! We saw numerous whales and soaked up some sunshine. The crew was fabulous, the snacks delicious, and the drinks plentiful. Transportation from and to the resort made it all so easy.”

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4.Dolphin and Whale Watching by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Join Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas for a three-hour catamaran cruise from Funchal. You will search for dolphins, whales, turtles, and seabirds with a Portuguese or English-speaking crew, then sail toward Cabo Girão. The boat has indoor seating, sun beds, trampoline nets, restrooms, and a welcome drink. Summer tours include a swim stop, except early morning departures in July and August.

“Lovely boat, small group, friendly crew and we saw pilot whales and dolphins. Excellent trip.”

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5.VipDolphins Luxury Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,709 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

Sail from Funchal with a small group of up to 17 people aboard a polished catamaran. The crew, including guides such as Sheila, Liv, Maggie, Francisco, and Nico, serves drinks, local snacks, and desserts while helping you spot dolphins and whales. You’ll also stop to swim and snorkel below Cabo Girao.

“We have been on whale/dolphin watching cruises before with varying degrees of success, but this was by far the best. Liv, Sheila and Chico (I hope I’ve got the names right) were attentive throughout and kept us well supplied with freshly prepared food and drink. They also were quick to identify the dolphins and whales when they surfaced and to explain more about them. The ride was very smooth despite a slight swell and we were very lucky with the warm sunshine. All in all a wonderful experience.”

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6.Whales and Dolphins Watching-Luxury Super Grade Cruiser(Hotel Pick up offered)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,268 reviews · from $65

Set out from Mirissa at 6:30 am on a cruiser limited to 40 passengers. You may see blue, fin, sperm, Bryde’s, or minke whales, plus dolphins, turtles, flying fish, manta rays, and more. Breakfast, tea, coffee, water, fruit, lifeguards, experienced captains, and an onboard restroom are included. Galle pickup may be available, but confirm any extra charge first.

“Was a nice experience but also felt bad for the sea animals. It would be better not to disturb the natural flow of activities by the sea animals. My family told me they wouldn't like to subscribe for anything similar that disturbs the sea animals going forward.”

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7.All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,221 reviews · from $186

Join Polar Adventures at 8 AM for an eight-hour cruise from Tromsø to Skjervøy. Guides such as Juan, Raul, Pedro, and Holly share whale facts while you search for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, seabirds, and white-tailed eagles. The heated boat includes thermal suits, hot drinks, snacks, lunch, toilets, USB charging, and outdoor viewing decks.

“We saw orcas. The guide answered all our questions. It was a great experience for us. We had a hard time seeing whales. We only saw 1 or 2. The food they gave was also filling, everything was great.”

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8.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.”

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9.Freedom 3/4 Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $125

Join Freedom Whale Watch at Great Sandy Strait Marina for a six-hour catamaran cruise into Platypus Bay. Skipper Toni and the crew explain whale behavior as you watch humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The day includes hotel transfers, morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, indoor and outdoor seating, and a whale-sighting guarantee from 15 July to 10 October.

“Five stars to the crew of Freedom III - a truly memorable day on the water cruising with the whales out from Hervey Bay. This is the only way to experience extended time interacting with the migrating whales . Both morning and afternoon tea Read more”

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10.Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 509 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $80

Cruise Banderas Bay aboard a comfortable yacht with Chica Locca Tours, searching for humpback whales and dolphins before sunset. Guides such as Isaiah and Luis add lively commentary, while the crew serves drinks, guacamole, blue corn chips, and sometimes ceviche. Expect music, dancing, port security, and a possible delay at departure.

“It was better than expected. The waiting was marginally tense but when we boarded, we found a very comfortable space and welcoming crew. We were immediately asked if we wish any type of beverage as we sat with anticipation. Instructions were explained as well as expectations. This was important since the whale watching season was ending and the chance of seeing whales might be limited. We had many moments where we saw many whales. Food was brought to guests on the ship to avoid mishaps. Food was sufficient to satisfy. If food is your priority you may want to consider a cruise. Kudos to the crew for doing a marvelous…”

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11.Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise & Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 504 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $189

Cruise from Maalaea Harbor for about three hours, with a four-course dinner, alcoholic drinks, sunset views, and a chance to see migrating humpback whales. A naturalist explains whale behavior, and some trips use a hydrophone to let you hear whale song. Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, and McGregor Point add to the view.

“We loved seeing all the whales! We had a great time wit our family. We would definitely do the tour again. Captain Andrew was great and so was the crew.”

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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!”

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13.Premium Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 444 reviews · 150 minutes - 1 day · from $63

Join Sea World Whale Watch from Main Beach for a 2.5-hour cruise toward the Humpback Highway. Captain Wayno and marine guides explain whale behavior while you watch for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The Spirit of Migaloo II offers open viewing areas, underwater microphones, a bar, and a 100% whale sighting guarantee.

“We were lucky enough to see breaching various times but also without this lucky encounter it had been really great. Overall an amazing tour and the one I have liked most of all the activities I did here. Other people possibly couldn’t enjoy the tour that much because of seasickness. Consider that the sea can be pretty rough this far outside.”

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14.Whales and Snorkeling Tour on a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 443 reviews · 3 hours · from $101

Join Michael and Sergio aboard a modern yacht for a three-hour cruise from Marina del Sur. With up to 10 people, you’ll watch for pilot whales and dolphins, enjoy tapas, cava, wine, beer, and soft drinks, then swim or snorkel in a sheltered bay. Pickup from Costa Adeje is available.

“Micheal picked us from the x-sur mall right on time. The drive to the Marina was pretty short and sightfull. The boat ride was incredible and so was the food served. We saw some whales and got lucky and had the chance to see a group of small dolphins that were really playful around the boat. The snorkeling spot was also very beautiful with clear blue water and nice scenic views.”

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15.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: VIP Lounge OR UpperDeck Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 313 reviews · 3 hours · from $160

Spend three hours aboard an AML Cruises vessel in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, watching for up to 13 whale species. Choose the climate-controlled Saint-Laurent VIP Lounge, with food and drinks, or the open-air Upper Deck, with 360-degree views. Bilingual naturalist guides explain the marine life and scenery.

“Alexandra was the best. I would recommend the VIP lounge. The food and drinks were were excellent. View from lounge was very good. And we saw a Minke whale.”

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