Humpback whale · Marine life encounters
Where to find wildlife trips to see humpback whales
About this list
When you look for wildlife 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 marine life encounter programs, 164 in all. Countries and regions on record include Amami & Kagoshima, Jervis Bay Territory, British Columbia & Richmond Steveston, Haapai, Uoleva, Samana Bay and Moorea. Not every marine life encounter 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. 138 of the 164 operators (84%) publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare those directly; ask the rest. Estimated prices are not shown. Operators list different seasons, Jan–Mar, Jun–Jul, Sep–Dec and Apr–Oct among them. There is no single season for wildlife 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.
164 listed operatorsShowing the top 60
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Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
Amamico Diver / 阿麻弥姑ダイバー
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jan–Mar
- Price
- JPY 27,300 / person
- Checked
- Official source

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

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
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Tonga · Haapai, Uoleva
Pepa's Ha'apai
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- Price on request
- 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
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French Polynesia · Moorea
Moorea Deep Blue
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Aug–Nov
- Price
- XPF 12,000 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Madagascar · Nosy Be & Sakatia
Baleines Rand'eau
FreedivingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Aug–Nov
- Price
- Adults €70 · Under 12 €45
- Checked
- Official source
Mexico · Baja California, Bahia de Los Angeles
Silver Shark Adventures
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Nov
- Price
- US$2,550
- Checked
- Official source

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

Norway · Alta & Kvaenangen
Orca Norway / Strømsholmen
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Oct–Jan
- Price
- NOK 42,000 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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La Réunion · Le Port
Le Dodo Palmé
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- €60 / person
- 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

Greenland · Ilulissat
I Love Ilulissat Tours
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Ask the operator
- Price
- DKK 750 / adult
- 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
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Mauritius · Black River
JPH Charters
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Sep
- Price
- From MUR 24,000/boat
- Checked
- Official source
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Niue · Alofi & Tamakautoga
Niue Blue Island Experiences
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- NZD 320 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Tanzania · Mafia Island & Utende
Big Blu Mafia Island Dive Centre
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jun–Mar
- Price
- US$90 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Turks and Caicos Islands · Grand Turk
Deep Blue Charters
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- US$225 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Bermuda · Bermuda marinas, islandwide
KS WaterSports Bermuda
SnorkelingBeach & water playIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Mar–Apr
- Price
- USD 295 and up
- Checked
- Official source

Brazil · Bahia & Abrolhos
Escama Turismo
Scuba divingSnorkelingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jun–Apr (peak Jun–Nov)
- Price
- BRL 300 / person
- Checked
- Official source

Colombia · Choco Pacific
Bahía Solano Me Llama
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- COP 250,000
- 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
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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

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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Peru · Mancora & Los Organos
Pacífico Adventures
Island hopping & boat tripsFamily & kidsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Multiple sources

Portugal · Azores, Pico
CW Azores
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Mar–Jul
- Price
- Adults €79 · Children €50
- Checked
- Official source

Saint Helena · Jamestown
Sub-Tropic Adventures
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source

São Tomé & Príncipe · São Tomé Island
Navetur
SnorkelingIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Dec
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source
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Sierra Leone · Banana Island & Freetown Peninsula
Banana Island · Banana Divers & Water Activities
Scuba divingSnorkelingBeach & water play- Season
- May–Oct
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source

Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
Dandelion Amami
FreedivingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Dec–Jan
- Price
- JPY 30,000 / person
- Checked
- Official source

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

Canada · British Columbia & Vancouver Island
Ocean EcoVentures
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Mar–Oct
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source

Tonga · Haapai, Uoleva
Sea Change Eco Retreat / Ha'apai Whale & Sail
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- Price on request
- 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
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French Polynesia · Moorea
Mori Ora Piti
SnorkelingMarine life encounters- Season
- Jul–Nov
- Price
- 20,000 XPF/swimmer
- Checked
- Official source

Madagascar · Nosy Be
Diving Cattitude
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Aug–Sep
- Price
- €80 / 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

Mozambique · Inhambane
Peri-Peri Divers
Scuba divingSnorkelingMarine life encounters- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source

Norway · Skjervøy
Skjervøy Experience
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Oct–Jan
- Price
- Price on request
- 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

South Africa · Umkomaas & Aliwal Shoal
ScubaCo Diving & Travel
Scuba divingIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- From ZAR 700 / dive
- 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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Greenland · Ilulissat
Whale Tours Ilulissat
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Sep
- Price
- DKK 1,195 and up
- 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

Mauritius · Black River
Meridian Adventures — Whale Experience
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Ask the operator
- Price
- EUR 490 per boat
- Checked
- Official source
Niue · Alofi & West Coast
Explore Niue
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- Adults NZD 300
- Checked
- Official source

Tanzania · Pwani
Mafia Island Diving · Utende
Scuba divingIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jun–Mar
- Price
- Price on request
- Checked
- Official source

Turks and Caicos Islands · Salt Cay
Salt Cay Divers
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jan–Mar
- Price
- US$245 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
Dive Service BLUE GATE
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jan–Mar, May–Sep
- Price
- JPY 23,000 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Australia · Jervis Bay Territory
Woebegone Dive
FreedivingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- May–Nov
- Price
- A$300
- 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
Tonga · Tongatapu
Tahi Tonga
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- TOP 650–700 / person
- Checked
- Official source
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Dominican Republic · Samana Bay
True Experience DR — Humpback Whales
Beach & water playIsland hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jan–Mar
- Price
- USD 60
- Checked
- Official source

French Polynesia · Moorea
Native Mozcean
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Nov
- Price
- See the operator page
- Checked
- Official source

Madagascar · Nosy Be
Ginot Guide Nosy Be
Island hopping & boat tripsMarine life encounters- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- €70 / person
- Checked
- Official source
All 104 other listings
Operators not shown in the cards above. Select a name to open its page.
- Wild Loreto · Mexico · Baja California Sur, Loreto
- SEE Activity Center Mozambique · Mozambique · Inhambane
- Brim Explorer Tromsø · Norway · Tromso
- Reunion Diving · La Réunion · Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
- Ocean Odyssey Knysna · South Africa · Western Cape Garden Route
- Monterey Bay Whale Watch · United States · Monterey Bay & Fisherman's Wharf
- Greenland Cruises Nuuk · Greenland · Nuuk
- 沖永良部島むがむがダイビング · Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
- Out of the Blue Adventures · Australia · Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales
- Gatherall’s Puffin & Whale Watch · Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls
- Beluga Diving Vava'u · Tonga · Vava'u
- Whale Samaná · Dominican Republic · Samana Bay
- Tahiti Iti Diving · French Polynesia · Tahiti Iti & Taravao
- Maningory Hôtel-Restaurant · Madagascar · Sainte Marie & Ile aux Nattes
- Cabo Adventures · Mexico · Los Cabos
- Tofo Scuba · Mozambique · Inhambane
- Orca Norway (Stromsholmen Sjosportsenter AS) · Norway · Tromso
- Geckobleu · La Réunion · Saint Gilles & West Coast
- Southern Right Charters · South Africa · Western Cape
- San Diego Whale Watch · United States · San Diego & Mission Bay Whale Watch
- ネイティブシー奄美 · Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
- Sundive Byron Bay · Australia · Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales
- O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tours · Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Bay Bulls
- Deep Blue Diving Tonga · Tonga · Vava'u
- Aggressor Adventures — Silver Bank · Dominican Republic · Silver Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary
- Mobydick Tahiti · French Polynesia · Tahiti West Coast
- Lakana Hotel Whale Watching · Madagascar · Sainte-Marie
- Whale Watch Cabo · Mexico · Los Cabos
- Maputo Dive Center · Mozambique · Maputo & Ponta do Ouro
- Whalesafari Andenes / Whale2Sea · Norway · Vesteralen, Andenes
- Scubananas · Réunion Plongée · La Réunion · Saint-Leu
- マリンスポーツ奄美 · Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
- Wild Byron · Australia · Byron Bay & North Coast, New South Wales
- Iceberg Quest Ocean Tours — St. John’s · Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & St John's
- Endangered Encounters · Tonga · Vava'u
- Aquatic Adventures · Dominican Republic · Silver Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary
- Manatea Ocean Experience · French Polynesia · Tahiti
- ひかるダイバーズダイビング · Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
- Dive Forster at Fisherman’s Wharf · Australia · NSW, Mid North Coast
- Sea of Whales Adventures · Canada · Newfoundland and Labrador & Trinity
- Explore Vava'u · Tonga · Vava'u
- Conscious Breath Adventures · Dominican Republic · Silver Bank Marine Mammal Sanctuary
- ダイビング&ペンション RIKI · Japan · Amami & Kagoshima
- CoastXP · Australia · NSW, Newcastle
- Essipit Whale Watching Cruises · Canada · Quebec & Les Bergeronnes
- Whale Song Tonga (MV Kalo) · Tonga · Vava'u
- Alter Dive · Japan · Kerama & Zamami
- Imagine Cruises · Australia · NSW, Port Stephens
- Croisières AML — Tadoussac · Canada · Quebec & Tadoussac
- Dive Center NO-Y · Japan · Kerama & Zamami
- Moonshadow–TQC Cruises · Australia · NSW, Port Stephens
- Diving Team Anata no Kiyoshi · Japan · Kerama & Zamami
- Seal Swim Australia · Australia · NSW, South Coast
- Diving Team Ushio · Japan · Kerama & Zamami
- Captain Cook Cruises Sydney · Australia · NSW, Sydney
- Drifter Zamami · Japan · Kerama & Zamami
- Ocean Extreme · Australia · NSW, Sydney
- ネイティブカラー · Japan · Ogasawara
- Oz Whale Watching · Sydney Princess Cruises · Australia · NSW, Sydney
- Native Color Ogasawara · Japan · Ogasawara
- Gold Coast Whale Watch · Australia · QLD, Gold Coast
- Alpha Dive Okinawa · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Sea World Cruises · Australia · QLD, Gold Coast
- Blue Vista · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Whale Watch Queensland · Australia · QLD, Gold Coast
- Clown Crown · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Freedom Whale Watch · Australia · Hervey Bay & Fraser Coast, Queensland
- Dive Journey · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Spirit of Hervey Bay · Australia · Hervey Bay & Fraser Coast, Queensland
- DIVEIN Okinawa · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- EP Cruises – Fowlers Bay Whale Tours · Australia · Eyre Peninsula west coast, South Australia
- Guma · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- The Big Duck Boat Tours · Australia · SA, Fleurieu Peninsula
- Haisai · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Wineglass Bay Cruises · Australia · Freycinet & East Coast, Tasmania
- HanDive Okinawa · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Wildlife Coast Cruises · Australia · Vic, Phillip Island
- Happy Island · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Wildlife Coast Cruises – Wilsons Prom · Australia · Wilsons Prom & Gippsland, Victoria
- Island Message · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Albany Ocean Adventures · Australia · Albany & Bremer Bay, Western Australia
- JAM Marine Club · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Albany Whale Tours / Sail-A-Way · Australia · Albany & Bremer Bay, Western Australia
- Johnny’s Diving · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Whale Watch Western Australia · Australia · Albany & Bremer Bay, Western Australia
- Lifetime · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Absolute Ocean Charters · Australia · Broome & Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia
- Dive Linker · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Broome Tours · Australia · Broome & Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia
- Marine Club BERRY / SEASIR · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Broome Whale Watching · Australia · Broome & Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia
- Marine Product · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Naturaliste Charters · Australia · Busselton & Dunsborough, Western Australia
- Mogurina · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Coral Bay Ecotours · Australia · WA, Coral Bay
- NEWS · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours · Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
- SeaWorld Okinawa · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Live Ningaloo · Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
- SEAMAX Okinawa · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Three Islands Whale Shark Dive · Australia · Exmouth & Ningaloo, Western Australia
- South to South · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
- Reefwalker Ocean Discovery · Australia · WA, Kalbarri
- Superfish Diving · Japan · Okinawa Main Island
Other ways to meet humpback whales
- Boat trips to see humpback whales145
- Snorkeling with humpback whales94
- Family trips to see humpback whales69
- 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
Marine life encounters by country
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find wildlife trips to see humpback whales?
164 operators on Maptlantis name the humpback whale as a target species and run marine life encounters. 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 wildlife trips to see humpback whales?
Seasons the operators give: Jan–Mar, Jun–Jul, Sep–Dec, Apr–Oct, Jul–Oct and Aug–Nov. Operating periods differ between operators even in the same area, so check before you book.
How is marine life encounters 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.