Where is the best place (& time) with the highest chances to see whales during whale watching?

Posted by VForestAlien@reddit | whales | View on Reddit | 7 comments

I’ve been obsessed with whales since I was a kid, & now I’m turning 30, & want to gift myself an opportunity to see them in person. I don’t have a lot of money to spend on a bunch of excursions, so I’m hoping to get some recommendations on where (in the US or Canada) can I go to whale watch, that would give me the highest chance of actually getting to see them

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aheaney15@reddit

California, especially Monterey and Santa Barbara during the summer, is a great bet for Humpbacks and to a lesser extent Blues. Grays in the winter. Any time of day works, and if there is just one single 4-5 hour long tour, take that. You can also see Common dolphins, and maybe some other species of dolphins.

British Columbia and Washington State is great for Orcas and Humpbacks in the summer. Try an either early morning or evening trip. You can also see Harbor porpoises, Dall’s porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins.

Boston (and elsewhere in New England) in the summer is great for Humpbacks, Fin whales, and Common minkes, especially in the summer. If you are super lucky, you might see a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale if you go in the Spring. You can also see Atlantic white-sided dolphins.

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VForestAlien@reddit (OP)

Thank you for your detailed reply! Super helpful :)

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koushakandystore@reddit

Go to Big Sur and stay at Eselen in the fall or Spring. You can watch the migrating whales all day. And then you can drive you to Monterey and take a boat out to see them. I’m from this region and it never gets old to see a big beautiful whale and her calves.

Also Loreto in Baja California is awesome in February and March. Massive blue whales will come right up to the boat.

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Busy_Exit5633@reddit

Baja Mexico also has incredible and consistent sightings, along with grey whales, blue whales, and Mobula Rays. There's a great expedition company down near La Ventana that does proper small group expeditions, too, and the encounters are incredible! bajawildencounters.com

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PutAdventurous7520@reddit

I'm planning a trip to the east coast in late Sept or Oct. Is there any sites there that are good for whale watching? Thanks

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aheaney15@reddit

Boston, for sure, but why respond to a 2 year old comment?