Humpback whale · Family & kids
Where to find family trips to see humpback whales
About this list
When you look for family trips to see humpback whales, search results rarely show how the trip actually works. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the humpback whale as a target species and actually run family water activity programs, 69 in all. Countries and regions on record include Jervis Bay Territory, Kerama & Zamami, British Columbia & Richmond Steveston, Samana Bay, Eastern Cape Algoa Bay and Alaska & Seward. Not every family water activity program is the same experience. Approach distance, whether you may enter the water and group size limits differ by country, and by operator within a country. 60 of the 69 operators (87%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. Operators list different seasons, Jun–Jul, Sep–Dec, Jan–Mar and Apr–Oct among them. There is no single season for family trips to see humpback whales, so check each operator's operating period before you set your dates. No operator running wildlife programs can guarantee an encounter. Treat any trip that promises one with suspicion.
69 listed operatorsShowing the top 60

Australia · Jervis Bay Territory
Cape St George Lighthouse Whale Lookout
Family & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Jul, Sep–Dec
- Price
- Vehicle day pass A$20
- Checked
- Government registry

Japan · Kerama & Zamami
Dive Center NO-Y
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jan–Mar
- Price
- JPY 14,300
- Checked
- Official source

Canada · British Columbia & Richmond Steveston
Vancouver Whale Watch
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Apr–Oct
- Price
- Adults CAD 195
- Checked
- Official source

Dominican Republic · Samana Bay
DDD Whale Watching Samaná
Beach & water playIsland hopping & boat tripsFamily & kids- Season
- Jan–Mar
- Price
- Adults USD 45 · Children USD 36
- Checked
- Official source

South Africa · Eastern Cape Algoa Bay
Raggy Charters
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Aug–Oct
- Price
- Adults ZAR 3,250 · Under 12 ZAR 2,100
- Checked
- Official source

United States · Alaska & Seward
Major Marine Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- Adults USD 149 / person
- Checked
- Official source

Iceland · Husavik
Gentle Giants Whale Watching Húsavík
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Apr–Nov
- Price
- ISK 12,490 / adult
- Checked
- Official source

Mozambique · Inhambane
Diversity Scuba
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jun–Apr (peak Oct–Mar)
- Price
- MZN 1,800 / person
- Checked
- Official source

Norway · Tromso
Brim Explorer Tromsø
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jan, Oct
- Price
- NOK 1,990 / adult
- Checked
- Official source

La Réunion · Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Corail Plongée
Scuba divingFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- €150 / person
- Checked
- Official source

Comoros · Moheli & Nioumachoua
Mohéli Laka Lodge
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- EUR 125 / person
- Checked
- Official source

Cook Islands · Aitutaki
Whale Swim Aitutaki
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- NZ$200 / person
- Checked
- Official source

Costa Rica · Puntarenas, Uvita
Bahia Aventuras
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb
- Price
- Adults USD 95 · Children USD 60
- Checked
- Official source
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Gabon · Pongara National Park
La Baie des Tortues Luth
Island hopping & boat tripsKayak & paddleSurfing & SUP- Season
- Jul–Sep, Nov–Mar
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source

Greenland · Ilulissat
I Love Ilulissat Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Ask the operator
- Price
- DKK 750 / adult
- Checked
- Official source
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Hawaii · Maui
PacWhale Eco-Adventures
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsFamily & kids- Season
- Nov–Apr
- Price
- Adults US$99.05 · Ages 5–12 US$55.55 · Ages 4 and under free
- Checked
- Official source

Ireland · West Cork
Cork Whale Watch
Family & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Nov
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source

Madagascar · Sainte Marie & Ile aux Nattes
Maningory Hôtel-Restaurant
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsFamily & kids- Season
- Jun–Sep
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source

Mayotte · Grande Terre
Sea Blue Safari
SnorkelingBeach & water playIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- €110 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Mexico · La Paz, Baja California Sur
Baja Expeditions
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jan–May, Jul–Oct
- Price
- US$1,922
- Checked
- Official source
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Peru · Mancora & Los Organos
Pacífico Adventures
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Multiple sources

Australia · Jervis Bay Territory
Jervis Bay Wild / Dolphin Watch Cruises
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- Adults AUD 135 · Children AUD 80 · Family AUD 295
- Checked
- Official source
Japan · Kerama & Zamami
Diving Team Anata no Kiyoshi
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Dec–Apr
- Price
- JPY 15,400
- Checked
- Official source
Canada · British Columbia & Victoria
Prince of Whales — Victoria
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Nov
- Price
- From CAD 199 per adult
- Checked
- Official source

Dominican Republic · Samana Bay
Moto Marina Tours
Beach & water playIsland hopping & boat tripsFamily & kids- Season
- Jan
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Multiple sources

South Africa · Western Cape Garden Route
Ocean Odyssey Knysna
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- Adults ZAR 1,820 · Under 12 ZAR 1,430
- Checked
- Official source

United States · Massachusetts, Stellwagen Bank
New England Aquarium Whale Watch
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
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Iceland · North Iceland
North Sailing Húsavík
Family & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Nov
- Price
- Adults ISK 13,990
- Checked
- Official source

Mozambique · Inhambane
SEE Activity Center Mozambique
FreedivingScuba divingSnorkeling- Season
- Jun–Oct
- Price
- USD 67 / MZN 4,200 / person
- Checked
- Official source

Norway · Vesteralen, Andenes
Whalesafari Andenes / Whale2Sea
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Sep
- Price
- NOK 1,690 and up
- Checked
- Official source
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La Réunion · Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Reunion Diving
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jul–Sep
- Price
- €135 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Australia · Jervis Bay Territory
Woebegone Dive
FreedivingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- A$300
- Checked
- Official source

Japan · Kerama & Zamami
Drifter Zamami
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsKayak & paddle- Season
- Jan–Mar
- Price
- Adults ¥8,000
- Checked
- Official website

Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls
Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Sep
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source

Dominican Republic · Samana Bay
Whale Samaná
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jan
- Price
- Adults US$65 · Children US$35
- Checked
- Official source

South Africa · Western Cape
Southern Right Charters
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Apr
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
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United States · San Diego & Mission Bay Whale Watch
San Diego Whale Watch
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Oct, Dec–Apr
- Price
- From USD 58 per person
- Checked
- Official source

Australia · Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales
Out of the Blue Adventures
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- AUD 129 and up
- Checked
- Official source

Japan · Okinawa Main Island
Haisai
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsSurfing & SUP- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Needs checking
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Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls
O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Sep (peak Jul)
- Price
- Adults CAD 95
- Checked
- Official source

Australia · Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales
Sundive Byron Bay
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jun–Oct
- Price
- AUD 330 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Japan · Okinawa Main Island
Happy Island
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jan–Mar
- Price
- Adults ¥5,000 · Children ¥4,000 · Infants ¥500
- Checked
- Official source

Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & St John's
Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours — St. John’s
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Aug
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
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Australia · NSW, Newcastle
CoastXP
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- Adults AUD 135 · Children 3–12 AUD 110
- Checked
- Official source

Japan · Okinawa Main Island
Island Message
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jan–Nov
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source

Canada · Quebec & Tadoussac
Croisières AML — Tadoussac
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- Adults from CAD 134.99
- Checked
- Official source
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Australia · NSW, Port Stephens
Imagine Cruises
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsFamily & kids- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- A$50 and up
- Checked
- Official source
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Japan · Okinawa Main Island
Marine Club BERRY / SEASIR
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Dec–Mar
- Price
- Adults JPY 5,000–6,500 · Ages 6–12 JPY 4,000–5,500 · Ages 3–5 JPY 2,000–3,500 · Ages 0–2 free
- Checked
- Official source

Australia · NSW, Port Stephens
Moonshadow–TQC Cruises
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- AUD 46
- Checked
- Official source
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Japan · Okinawa Main Island
NEWS
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- Adults ¥5,500–¥6,500
- Checked
- Official website
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Australia · NSW, South Coast
Seal Swim Australia
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Sep–Oct
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source

Japan · Okinawa Main Island
SeaWorld Okinawa
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsFamily & kids- Season
- Jan–Nov
- Price
- Adults ¥5,500–¥6,500 · Ages 4–11 ¥4,500–¥5,500
- Checked
- Official source
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Australia · NSW, Sydney
Captain Cook Cruises Sydney
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- A$100
- Checked
- Official source
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Australia · NSW, Sydney
Oz Whale Watching · Sydney Princess Cruises
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- Adults AUD 89 · Children AUD 60 · Concession AUD 75
- Checked
- Official source
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Australia · QLD, Gold Coast
Sea World Cruises
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Nov
- Price
- A$89 and up
- Checked
- Official source

Australia · QLD, Gold Coast
Whale Watch Queensland
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Nov
- Price
- AUD 79 and up
- Checked
- Official source

Australia · Hervey Bay & Fraser Coast, Queensland
Freedom Whale Watch
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Nov
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source

Australia · Hervey Bay & Fraser Coast, Queensland
Spirit of Hervey Bay
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Nov
- Price
- A$155
- Checked
- Official source

Australia · SA, Fleurieu Peninsula
The Big Duck Boat Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Apr
- Price
- Adults AUD 85 · Children AUD 65 · Family AUD 265
- Checked
- Official source
Australia · Freycinet & East Coast, Tasmania
Wineglass Bay Cruises
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- May–Jul, Sep–Dec
- Price
- A$195
- Checked
- Official source
All 9 other listings
Operators not shown in the cards above. Select a name to open its page.
- Wildlife Coast Cruises · Australia · Vic, Phillip Island
- Albany Ocean Adventures · Australia · Albany & Bremer Bay, Western Australia
- Albany Whale Tours / Sail-A-Way · Australia · Albany & Bremer Bay, Western Australia
- Absolute Ocean Charters · Australia · Broome & Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia
- Broome Tours · Australia · Broome & Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia
- Broome Whale Watching · Australia · Broome & Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia
- Naturaliste Charters · Australia · Busselton & Dunsborough, Western Australia
- Three Islands Whale Shark Dive · Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
- Reefwalker Ocean Discovery · Australia · WA, Kalbarri
Other ways to meet humpback whales
- Wildlife trips to see humpback whales164
- Boat trips to see humpback whales145
- Snorkeling with humpback whales94
- Scuba diving with humpback whales58
- Swimming with humpback whales57
- Freediving with humpback whales14
- Beach trips to see humpback whales11
- Liveaboards to see humpback whales8
- Surfing and SUP with humpback whales7
- Kayak and paddle trips to see humpback whales3
Humpback whales by country
Family & kids by country
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find family trips to see humpback whales?
69 operators on Maptlantis name the humpback whale as a target species and run family water activities. The list shows them by country and region.
Will I definitely see humpback whales?
No. They are wild animals, and there are days you will not meet them because of the season, sea conditions and their movements. If an operator promises an encounter, treat that wording with suspicion.
When is the season for family trips to see humpback whales?
Seasons the operators give: Jun–Jul, Sep–Dec, Jan–Mar, Apr–Oct, Aug–Oct and Mar–Oct. Operating periods differ between operators even in the same area, so check before you book.
How is family water activities different from boat-based watching?
Watching from a boat and getting in the water differ in both rules and price. Some countries ban getting in the water or allow it only with licensed operators, so check which kind of trip you are booking.