Canada Whale Watching - Best Times and Places (2023)

FAQs

What is the best time for whale watching in Canada? ›

April to October is prime whale watching time in Canada – the best time to seek out some of the 33 plus species of whale that live in Canada's oceans. Whale watching trips are offered in small zodiacs, sailing boats, comfortable cruisers and, in Newfoundland, from the shore.

Newfoundland and Labrador

If you want to maximize your chances of spotting a whale and get the best whale watching in Canada head to Newfoundland and Labrador. This place in Canada houses the largest number of whale species in the country.

One of the reasons that the morning time is the best time of day for whale watching has to do with weather and ocean conditions. The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind.

The stronger regulations are meant to cut human interactions with whales, many of which are critically endangered due to rising ocean temperatures, food supply shortages, and increased water traffic. Following these rules, all boats must stay farther away from the mammals than before.

However, Victoria's Inner Harbour is much closer to the whale-watching grounds than Vancouver. This eliminates the need to cross the Salish Sea and lessens the chance of rough weather. In short: Victoria is a shorter, more pleasant experience out on the water.

Three hours in length, April through October are the ideal whale watching months. In this peak season, we boast a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including both transient & resident orcas, humpback, Minke, & gray whales!

Summer and fall are the best times to go whale watching in Nova Scotia. Find yourself aboard a whale watching tour with lively commentary and local tales as you watch for any of the 12 species of whales that visit Nova Scotia each year.

Luckily for those living in the United States, some of the best whale watching locations in the world are situated along the West Coast. The Northeastern Pacific Ocean hosts an impressive diversity of whales and dolphins, from little harbor porpoises to titanic blue whales.

Monterey Bay, California

Enjoy year-round whale-watching in Monterey Bay. Running alongside California's central coast, the bay sees humpback and blue whales from April to December, and gray whales from December to April. The coast also attracts killer whales, who hunt gray whales during their migration north.

What time of day is best for whale watching in Monterey? ›

The best time of day for whale watching in Monterey Bay is in the morning. While the sighting chances are the same, the ocean conditions are more convenient with a calmer sea. In the afternoon, a boat tour can become quite choppy.

These cold Pacific waters are full of life, from seals to dolphins and even a few different kinds of whales. As such, one of the best things to do in Vancouver is to go whale watching. Since this requires a boat and a knowledgeable guide, tours are the best way to see these animals.

If you go on a cruise boat, bring a jacket with you, warm socks and don't hesitate to bring gloves, toque, or scarf. Better to be warmer than cold!” When whale watching, you'll likely be out on the open water for a few hours. The water magnifies harmful rays from the sun, so make sure you also have sunscreen.

The best time to spot whales in Victoria is from May to September, when the waters are warmer and the whales are more active.

For Victorians, the prime whale watching season is roughly from May to October each year. While whales can be seen all along the state's coast, you can improve your chances of getting a slice of the cetacean spectacular by visiting these locations.

Whale watching season in Victoria is usually around April to November, even though we run tours in this location all year around and we often see whales even in colder months! Time will vary by whale ecotype, as cetaceans are unpredictable and will migrate and travel often between various areas of the west coast.

But first, we stress that there's no “best” time of day to go whale watching. Whales are out and about doing their thing day and night, so whether you go out in the morning, afternoon or evening you'll always have a great chance of seeing whales and other marine wildlife.

Morning is the best time of day for whale watching in California. Weather is the key component to ideal whale watching conditions. Typically, there is less wind in the morning making for calmer seas, which is most enjoyable for both marine life and boat tours.

May to September is peak season for humpback whale watching in Vancouver. Not only are your chances of seeing a humpback whale in Vancouver higher, but you've also thankfully got great Vancouver summer weather on your side. The best Vancouver whale watching tours all seek out (and find) these whales during this period.

What time of year are whales in Cape Cod? ›

Whale watching season on Cape Cod is between mid-May and October, so it's best to plan your vacation to Falmouth between spring and fall.

Cape Breton Highlands

From the shores or from a Zodiac or catamaran, you can catch sight of whales primarily during the peak season of July and August. The best places to go whale watching from would be Pleasant Bay/Ingonish. Possible sightings include minke, pilot, and humpback.

March 10, 2023, at 4:50 p.m. From mid-April through October, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, plays host to several whale species, including humpback, pilot and minke whales.

Dana Point, CA: The Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World.

Whale watching Cape Cod tours are available in a few towns across the peninsula — such as Barnstable, Chatham, and Provincetown. Barnstable and Provincetown are the most popular because their ports are closest to the whale's summer feeding grounds — Stellwagen Bank.

The best whale watching ports of call are typically Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka in Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia in Canada.

While they are most abundant in colder waters like Antarctica, Norway, and Alaska, they are also found in tropical and subtropical waters. The most well-studied killer whale populations occur in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Resident killer whales have been seen from California to Russia.

Alaskan Waters, USA

If we move from the cold rich waters of Antarctica to the cold rich waters of the Arctic again we can find large populations of whales. The humpback whales that feed and move through the summer Alaskan waters can exhibit a feeding behavior known as bubble net feeding.

The countries where commercial whale hunting continues are Japan, Norway, and Iceland. Norway kills the most whales of the three countries. Iceland announced in February 2022 that it would stop its commercial whaling practices by 2024.

When watching marine mammals by boat: Remain at least 100 yards from whales and at least 50 yards away from dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. Federal law has specific distance requirements for some species. Keep 100 yards away from humpback whales in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters.

Which island has the best whale watching? ›

Maui is a top whale-watching spot for boat-based viewing; in fact, it is one of the best in the world. The majority of the whales that migrate to Hawaii bask in the warm, hospitable, and generally calm Maui waters. The whales just love the shallow Auau Channel that is situated between West Maui, Lanai, and Molokai.

Whales are never diurnal, but they can be crepuscular. This means they are most active during twilight hours which are both before sunrise and after sunset.

“The speeds that a lot of these whales that make long migrations travel at is often not that impressive,” Calambokidis says. “In other words, they can be just as slow as three to five miles an hour. But the impressive part is they are doing that 24 hours a day. That means they can be covering 100 miles in a day.

May is the peak season for whale shark swimming

However, given that whale sharks are wild animals, we can't always guarantee that they'll be around and keen for a swim. Because of this, the absolute best time to spot and swim with whale sharks, or any megafauna for that matter, is always during their peak season.

While often spotted alone or in pairs, if food is abundant feeding groups of 40-50 can be encountered. BEST time to see humpback whales in Monterey Bay: March through November, with peak sightings generally during July and August (though every season is different).

The most common types of whales you can see in Monterey include Humpback Whales, Gray Whales, Blue Whales and Orca/Killer Whales. The sea conditions and times of year determine what types of whales will be out there, but there are almost always whales in Monterey which is why a whale watching tour is worth it here.

Although April and May are the peak sighting months for Killer Whales in Monterey Bay, they may be encountered at any time of the year. We typically sight Killer Whales about 2-7 times per week during this Spring period, as sightings vary annually.

What to expect: Located along Vancouver Island's northeast coast, Telegraph Cove is one of the best places in the world to see orcas. The protected waters of Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago are home to around 200 whales each summer. Most of these are orcas, but humpback whales can also be seen here.

What do you wear to whale watching in Nova Scotia? ›

Temperatures are always cooler on the ocean – you may be surprised by how much! Even on a hot summer day, bring warm layers to wear during your Nova Scotia whale watching trip. During the shoulder seasons, this includes a toque, scarf/Buff and gloves to keep your extremities toasty.

How to dress and what to bring on a whale watching tour. The temperature in Nova Scotia often depends on your distance from the ocean. The air temperature can be 10C/50F cooler when on the water so dress in layers to ensure you are warm enough or cool enough. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must even on an overcast day.

There's a 95% chance you'll see a whale any month of the year. Generally, humpback whales are observed feeding in the bay March through December and Gray whales are seen migrating December through May.

Although not required, a gratuity for your guide is a great way to show your appreciation for their outstanding service. Guiding is a hospitality industry comparable to that of a server at a restaurant. 10% – 20% gratuity is a good general rule, depending on how amazing your guide was.

Some of the best places for whale watching in Canada include the Bay of Fundy, Newfoundland, and Vancouver. Another great option is the Hudson Bay.

For whale watchers, the weather can have more of an effect, so it's important to prepare for both sunshine and rain and wind, as tropical climate can vary on the ocean. There is even a chance you may get wet from rain or ocean spray on your whale watch, so layering your attire is key!

Summer and fall are the best times to go whale watching in Nova Scotia. Find yourself aboard a whale watching tour with lively commentary and local tales as you watch for any of the 12 species of whales that visit Nova Scotia each year.

In our 28 years of operation, we found that there are no 'best' times of day to see whales. Although any time of the day is good, the 4:00 departure would be the least windy of all our trips.

You can see whales in Newfoundland between the months of May and October. Typically the warmer summer months of July and August are the most active for whale sightings. Nature always operates on its own schedule, however, so the season can vary year to year.

What is the best time for whale watching in Monterey? ›

The best times to go whale watching in Monterey Bay are in the summer and fall months when the humpback and blues are here. The winter and spring months are a great time to catch gray whales.

Any time of day is best for whale watching Cape Cod adventures because these creatures are active all the time. Despite that, most boat companies only offer morning and early afternoon tours because they typically last for three to four hours. Keep in mind that offshore water conditions can affect your journey.

BEST time to see humpback whales in Monterey Bay: March through November, with peak sightings generally during July and August (though every season is different).

Whales are just as likely to be visible in the afternoon as they are in the morning, so, fortunately, there's not really the best time of day for whale watching in Monterey Bay. However, conditions are generally calmer in the morning so that may make it a more enjoyable experience for you.

Sunshine Makes it Easier to See

If the sun is bright and shining, this is an excellent opportunity to go whale watching. When you go out on the water during a clear day, you can see for miles. You can even spot that notched whale tail far in the distance if you have clear visibility.