Best of · WHALE WATCHING AND WILDLIFE CRUISES

The 15 Best Whale and Wildlife Cruises Worldwide

34 tours  ·  from $61 a head

Sea lions on the marker buoys, eagles over the treeline, puffins off the bow. These 15 crossings treat the whale as the headline and everything else as the reason the day still works when it does not show.

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching - What the boat is like for three hours on the water
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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

1.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,379 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177Our pick

Meet Alaska Tales near Juneau’s Mount Roberts Tramway for a port pickup, a brief Mendenhall Glacier photo stop, and a boat ride from Auke Bay. You’ll have heated cabins, outdoor decks, snacks, bottled water, and naturalist commentary. Guides such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate explain whale behavior while the crew searches for humpbacks.

“What’s a whale watching adventure after the whales migrate out of the area? It’s a little boat ride out. It’s a little boat ride back. Fortunately for us, it was a beautiful day. And the crew was delightful.”

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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier - Out on the water with humpback whales
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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249

Spend about 45 to 50 minutes at Mendenhall Glacier, then cruise Juneau’s coast aboard a warm, wildlife-viewing boat. Local guides such as Michelle, Nate, Taylor, Leon, and Jay share stories about the area and its whales. Expect comfortable viewing, a small snack, and a whale sighting guarantee, but bring binoculars for distant animals.

“Loved Alaska Tours with Kacie, Justin, and Nate aboard the George Mason. Very informative and we saw 2 whales that breeched! So exciting to see Sasha and her baby Chacha! Kacie knows her stuff and you can tell she loves her work! Great time! Highly recommend!”

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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise - Orcas, humpbacks, and the wildlife search
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Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

3.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,729 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Join Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours at 1 Dallas Road for a 3.5-hour Salish Sea cruise aboard a high-performance open boat or semi-covered catamaran. Guides such as Derek, Sarah, Joe, and Liam share wildlife facts as you look for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Warm clothing is available, and a whale sighting guarantee takes the edge off a blank day.

“Went for this trip just to see the whales and yup! I did.. what a fantastic creature..bonus that the weather really nice. Complementary warm clothing that they provide really helps when out in the ocean. Learned lots of informations we heard from the crew. 10 out of 10 would recommend 👍”

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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat - Meeting the crew in central Húsavík
Husavik Whale Watching Tours, Iceland Whale Watching Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises, Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises in Iceland, Whale Watching Tours, Zodiac and RIB Whale Watching, Zodiac and RIB Whale Watching in Iceland

Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

4.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175

From central Húsavík, you’ll board a modern RIB with up to 12 passengers, visit Puffin Island in season, and search Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and other marine life. Guides such as Matteo, Carla, Jo, and Beatriz provide live commentary, while warm overalls help against Iceland’s cold, wet weather.

“It was fantastic, one of the best experiences of my life !”

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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour - From Hafnarstétt 11 to the harbor
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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

5.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

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

Join Husavik Adventures for a lively two-hour RIB trip across Skjálfandi Bay. You may see humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins at Lundey Island. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, Ignacio, and Sofie explain the wildlife while the small boat covers ground quickly. Bring warm layers, a hat, and gloves.

“My daughter (14YR) and I loved the whale watching trip…we saw puffins, humpbacks, and a minke. The guide was awesome and she taught us a lot in an entertaining way. Highly recommend..”

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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise - Stop Three: Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

6.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 837 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94

From Bay Bulls, Gatherall’s catamaran carries you into the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where puffins, whales, icebergs, and seabirds fill the view. Expect live nature commentary, Newfoundland songs, sheltered island stops, outdoor decks, an indoor cabin, and a possible Screech-In ceremony. Hotel pickup from St. John’s costs extra.

“Great tour of Gull Island. Enjoyed it tremendously and recommend it whole-heartedly. No whales today 😒 still an awesome trip. Jane Rebecca and Cole were great😉”

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Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest - Meeting at 131 Front Street
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Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest

7.Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 812 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $178

Set out from downtown Ketchikan aboard Eagle One for a 2.5-hour wildlife cruise through the Tongass Narrows. Captain Brad and guides including Leanne, Jake, and Theo search for humpbacks and orcas while sharing local stories. You get indoor and outdoor seating, blankets, binoculars, hot drinks, snacks, and a maximum group of 66.

“We had a great experience on this whale watching tour. We saw several whales, seals and a bald eagle. The staff was very informative and constantly checking the water for signs of whales. Even though it was rainy, they had plenty of inside seats and offered coffee, hot chocolate and water. They had binoculars at the tables for all to use.”

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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour - Old Skúli and Reykjavík’s puffin islands
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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

8.Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 552 reviews · 4 hours · from $153

Pair a one-hour puffin cruise on the shallow-draft Old Skúli with a whale trip aboard the spacious Andrea or a faster express boat. Guides such as Patrick, Alex, Oscar, and Celine have brought the wildlife to life with clear facts and humor. Expect overalls, binoculars for the puffin trip, and a free return whale ticket if no whales appear.

“Essentially two separate tours as you come back to the harbour for a quick half hour change over. We did the Puffin tour first and it was fantastic, the guide had really good knowledge of the birds, the boat got nice and close to the colony and they were in good form flying around us and making a lot of noise. We then did the whale tour and whilst the whales were sadly being shy, we still got a few glimpses. The tour provider gave us a free return because the whales were not showing themselves as much as normal. Top set of tours, highly recommend.”

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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík - Wildlife in the bay: whales, dolphins, and porpoises
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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

9.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203

From Húsavík, you’ll search Skjálfandi Bay aboard a fast RIB boat limited to 12 people. Expect humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins near Lundey. Guides such as Alessandra, Danny, Austin, and Austen have been praised for their wildlife knowledge. The two-hour ride can be cold, wet, and bumpy.

“Overall fun experience even though we took the 9am tour which was the first tour of the day hoping to see Whales, but only saw a few fins, not that exciting. Very cold, wet and rough waters getting out there so expect to get wet! They provide great gear for all. Austin our guide was great, very informative. I will say the negative was that it was also suppose to be whales & puffins, but the puffins aspect of the tour was never addressed, so not sure if what happened with that (?) overall no regrets.”

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2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John's - Fort Amherst and the old harbor entrance
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2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John’s

10.2 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”

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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour - Searching Skjálfandi Bay for Whales
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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

11.Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 444 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

Join North Sailing in Húsavík for a 3 to 3.5-hour cruise across Skjálfandi Bay aboard a traditional oak boat. A guide explains whales and seabirds as you search for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins near Puffin Island. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun help take the edge off Iceland’s cold sea air.

“Husavik Whale Watching Cruise was an amazing experience. On board the Dagfari we were wonderfully guided by Jess and Chris. Due to Chris' years of experience as a Whale watcher and Jess' background as a marine biologist, a Whale was spotted during the trip that approached the Dagfari very closely. This was a magical experience.”

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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík - Puffin Island from April through mid-August
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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

12.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

From Húsavík, you’ll spend about two hours on a small RIB speedboat searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales and porpoises. During puffin season, the trip also visits Puffin Island. Guides such as Nicoletta, Clara, Mario, Victoria, and Milo have led past departures. Warm safety overalls are supplied, but bring extra layers.

“Wonderful experience. The staff were very nice helping us dress for the trip. We were lucky to see a Humpback whale. The crew tried hard to make sure we all able to witness the whales appearance. We felt safe and had fun with this RIB boat tour. Highly recommended.”

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Cowichan Bay: Half-Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure - Three and a half hours on the Salish Sea
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Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

13.Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

From Cowichan Bay, you spend 3.5 to 4 hours looking for orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, seals, eagles, porpoises, and seabirds. Captains such as Jane and Gary combine wildlife tracking with clear commentary. Boats carry no more than 12 passengers, and floating suits and safety gear are supplied.

“I went with my 2 daughters 18 & 14 years old. It was very well organized trip, our guide gave us so much information. The best part was when hump Whales were jumping and playing in front of us”

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Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island Day: Wildlife & Beaches - Point Lookout and the North Gorge Walk
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Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island Day: Wildlife & Beaches

14.Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island Day: Wildlife & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 391 reviews · 1 day · from $134

Spend a relaxed day on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island with guides such as Ivy, Jack, Anto, or Tess. Ride the ferry from Cleveland, walk the North Gorge, watch for whales, dolphins, turtles, kangaroos, and koalas, then swim at Cylinder Beach before sunset at Amity Point. Small groups, local stories, and an eco-certified approach keep the day personal and low impact.

“Ivy the guide was superb, he took great care of everyone, was engaging and helpful and very knowledgeable. Well paced, nothing was too much trouble. Whilst there was some walking it was slow with lots of stops to watch the wildlife. Excellent day out.”

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Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise - The boat ride through the Salish Sea
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Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

15.Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 378 reviews · 4 hours · from $148

From Pier 69, cruise the Salish Sea for 3 to 5 hours with an English-speaking naturalist. Look for orcas, humpback, gray, and minke whales, plus seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. The boat is wheelchair accessible, with food, drinks, binocular rentals, and optional window-seat upgrades available.

“Fun trip, friendly crew. The trip was not to long and we did see plenty windlijfe.”

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New in Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises

★ 5.0Anacortes: Full Day Whale/Wildlife Tour; Friday Harbor StopFrom $2795 reviews
★ 4.7Whales and Wildlife Boat Tour with SnacksFrom $16021 reviews
★ 5.0Sunset Whale and Wildlife Adventure in Cowichan BayFrom $15923 reviews
★ 4.5Amazing Whale Watching and Marine Wildlife Shore ExcursionFrom $19974 reviews
★ 5.0A Comfortable Sitka Whale Watching Wildlife Shore ExcursionFrom $22524 reviews
★ 4.7Whale & Dolphin Watching | Best Wildlife TourFrom $8255 reviews
★ 5.0Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in SitkaFrom $205103 reviews
★ 5.0Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife TourFrom $190114 reviews
★ 5.0Private Ketchikan Fishing Combo & Whale Watching/ Wildlife 5 HRFrom $70070 reviews
★ 4.6Marine Wildlife and Whale Watching Boat TourFrom $19824 reviews
★ 4.74 Hour Whale & Wildlife Zodiac Boat TourFrom $216133 reviews
★ 5.0Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & BeachesFrom $13686 reviews
★ 4.6Whale and Seabird CruiseFrom $220136 reviews

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