There are many species of whales, including humpback whales, blue whales and sperm whales, whose natural habitat varies according to their diet and breeding grounds. There are many places around the world to discover these incredible marine mammals. While many tour operators offer this excursion, what could be more magical, my fellow sailors, than to discover them by yourself from the deck of your sailboat. Respect a sufficient distance to not disturb them and ensure the safety of your boat.
Where to see whales in Europeeuros?
Whales are not only found in the icy North or in the warm waters of the Caribbean. European waters are home to many species of cetaceans, both in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic.
The Pelagos sanctuary
Located between France and Italy, it is a marine protected area since it is home to many marine mammals. Choose the summer period to go and admire the whales, because it is during this period that they come to feed in the Mediterranean.
The Bay of Biscay
It is a place of frequent passage of cetaceans. In this area, more than twenty species can be found during the migration period, from spring to fall. You can discover most frequently fin whales, sperm whales, but also orcas.
The Azores
The Portuguese islands located in the North Atlantic are one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world. An essential stopover during a transatlantic cruise, the Azores will be the opportunity to discover these marine mammals before taking the capeuros! Choose the period from May to June to observe whales, as they are less present in winter. At this time, you will nevertheless have strong chances to discover sperm whales.
Iceland is known in Europe for its unspoiled nature and abundant wildlife. Indeed, the fresh and nutrient-rich waters are home to more than 20 different varieties of whales: sperm whales, sei whales, blue whales and Mink's whales in majority. Choose spring and summer to admire the cetaceans and extend the pleasure over the period from mid-June to mid-July when the sun never sets to enjoy these explorations even at night! Husavik, a port on the north coast of Iceland, is also home to the whale museum.
Scotland
The Hebrides are an archipelago of the United Kingdom located in the south of the Scottish Sea. Some species are present there all year round and a third of the North Atlantic cetaceans pass through there each year: Mink's whale, humpback whale, sperm whales, orcas, dolphins and porpoises can be discovered from the sea. It is also possible, from land, to follow the Hebridean Whale Trail, a hiking trail of 33 spots.
Where to see whales in the polar regions?
Canada
Humpback whales, Mink's whales and orcas are among the most frequently observed species in the Gulf and the St. Lawrence River on the east coast of the country in the province of Quebec. Near the village of Tadoussac, the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park is rich in plankton, which the whales feed on. These animals are the object of scientific observation. You can discover fin whales, blue whales, humpback whales, Mink's whales and belugas. The ideal period to go there is from June to September.
Vancouver Island to the west, which is on the animals' migration path, is also home to thousands of whales. Johnston Strait is the ideal place to observe them between May and September. March is the month of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, which celebrates the annual return of the migrating whales.
Alaska
You can discover between the piles of the southeast coast the many gray whales that live there year round.
Where to see whales in warm regions?
The Caribbean
In particular, Dominica, between Guadeloupe and Martinique, and the Dominican Republic are privileged sites for whale watching, some species of which live there year round, such as sperm whales.
Humpback whales come to parade in these warm waters during the mating season. Nearly 5,000 humpback whales breed here each year between January and April.
South Africa
Cape Town is the ideal place to observe right whales that come to swim near the coast. This place where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean meet the cold waters of the Atlantic is an ideal habitat for marine mammals. From July to November, you can observe right, southern and Bryde's whales. Humpback whales are present over a longer period, from May to December. It is also possible to observe the animals from the land via the Whale Route which overlooks the sea. In September, the Hermanus Whale Festival is held at the Hermanus fishing port.
