Humpback whale · La Réunion
Where to see humpback whales in La Réunion
About this list
A common trap when looking for places to see humpback whales in La Réunion is a trip sold as if the sighting were certain. Maptlantis lists only operators that name the humpback whale as a target species, 5 of them. Places that only mention a chance sighting are left out. Regions on record: Le Port, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Saint Gilles & West Coast and Saint-Leu. Encounters are split into boat-based watching, snorkeling and swimming. Two "humpback whale tours" can differ completely in rules and price when one watches from the boat and the other puts you in the water. All 5 operators on this list publish prices on their own channels, so you can compare them directly. Estimated prices are not shown. The 4 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in La Réunion cluster in Jul–Oct. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear. No operator can guarantee a wildlife sighting, and rules on approach distance and in-water permits differ by country.
Humpback whale season in La Réunion
Jul–Oct
- JanJanuary: not in season
- FebFebruary: not in season
- MarMarch: not in season
- AprApril: not in season
- MayMay: not in season
- JunJune: not in season
- JulJuly: in season
- AugAugust: in season
- SepSeptember: in season
- OctOctober: in season
- NovNovember: not in season
- DecDecember: not in season
The months 4 operators state as their program season, combined. That is the operators' operating period, not a sighting guarantee; each operator's months are in the humpback whale season table.
5 listed operators
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La Réunion · Le Port
Le Dodo Palmé
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Jul–Oct
- Price
- €60 / person
- 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
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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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La Réunion · Saint Gilles & West Coast
Geckobleu
SnorkelingSwimmingIsland hopping & boat trips- Season
- Jul–Sep
- Price
- Humpback whales €120 · Dolphins €90
- Checked
- Official source
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La Réunion · Saint-Leu
Scubananas · Réunion Plongée
Scuba divingSnorkelingSwimming- Season
- Year-round
- Price
- €135 / person
- Checked
- Official source
Humpback whale season
Humpback whales in other countries
Other marine life in La Réunion
Activities in La Réunion
Frequently asked questions
Where can you see humpback whales in La Réunion?
5 operators name the humpback whale as a target species. Main regions: Le Port, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Saint Gilles & West Coast and Saint-Leu.
Do you have to get in the water to see humpback whales?
Formats on record: boat-based watching, snorkeling and swimming. Boat-based watching stays on the boat; snorkeling, swimming and freediving put you in the water. Some countries ban getting in the water altogether, so check the format in the program details.
When is humpback whale season?
The 4 operators that state a season for humpback whale programs in La Réunion cluster in Jul–Oct. That is the operators' operating period, not a promise that the animals will appear.
Will I definitely see them?
No. Humpback whales are wild animals, and whether you meet them depends on their movements and the sea. Maptlantis does not use wording that promises a sighting, and cancellation and refund terms follow each operator's policy.