Whale watching tends to be a seasonal event. All eleven of the great whales are migratory, most of them traveling annually between tropical and polar climes. For a whale of a good time, here are the top 5 whale watching destinations around the world.
1. Kaikoura, New Zealand
Located on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, the small town of Kaikoura enjoys international acclaim as an eco-tourism center.
While the town is widely celebrated for its offshore whale population, it is the giant Sperm Whales that are sighted all year long that give the town its claim to fame. The waters are both deep and rich in nutrients, making it one of the few places in the world where you can see Sperm Whales close to shore. Sperm Whales are the longest and deepest diving of any cetacean and for the most part they inhabit deep water.
This is one of the best places to see Sperm Whales anywhere on the planet so your chances of spotting several of them as they float to the surface are good. In fact, the same ones are viewed so regularly that the whale watch boat operators have given some of them names like Noodle, Taoi, Big Nic, Little Nic and Tiaki.
2. Hervey Bay, Australia
Whale watching is one of the world's great natural experiences, and nowhere is it more captivating than the peaceful waters of Hervey Bay in Queensland. Hervey Bay is fast becoming the whale watching capital of the world.
Every year thousands of humpback whales travel from Antarctica along the east coast of Australia to give birth in the waters of Northern Queensland. On their return migration they stop to rest in the jewelled waters of Hervey Bay.
It is an amazing experience to watch as 40,000 kg whales leap out of the ocean, lift their heads, salute onlookers with their flippers, then splash their powerful tails and roll into the water like puppies.
3. Azores, Portugal
The Azores is one of the key whale spotting locations worldwide with sightings of a varied number of species of both whale and dolphin almost completely guaranteed. This is one of the few locations in the world where you might even sight the Blue Whale, the biggest mammal on earth.
From May to June Baleen Whales migrate to their summer feeding grounds, passing close to the islands of the Azores. It is possible to observe Humpback, Sei, Fin and Blue Whales, as well as Short Finned Pilot Whales and Sperm Whales, and of course dolphins and other marine life. You will be amazed at the abundance and diversity of fauna on offer.
The viewing season between May and October is not determined by whale migrations - but by the weather.
4. Hermanus, South Africa
For travellers seeking a good whale watching destination, Hermanus in South Africa is ideal.
Upon arrival you will notice Southern Right Whales hugging the bays of the coastline to protect and rear their babies - so you do not need to go out on a boat. Breaching is a regular and spectacular occurrence with these whales. The best time to see this is from August through to November.
If you prefer the land to the sea you're in luck with the Whale Route. The Whale Route starts along the south of Capetown and extends to Durban, a whopping 1,200 miles of whale watching coastline. The route traverses several protected areas, including the Garden Route, Tsitsikamma National Park, and the Transke.
At least 37 species of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters off South Africa. However, the Route is most famous for encounters with Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, and several coastal dolphin species. Beyond close encounters with whales and dolphins, visitors can experience African penguins, Cape fur seals, black oystercatcher birds and a host of other marine species.
5. Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Lofoten Islands are a chain of islands above the Arctic Circle. The islands are composed of snowy mountains that shoot straight up out of the sea. Just six nautical miles offshore the continental shelf drops away to depths of 3,000 feet. Between May and September, massive Sperm Whales can be found in these deep waters.
The Sperm Whales in these waters are all male. The females remain in warmer seas further south, around the Azores and Canary Islands, with their young. Whale watching off northern Norway has become so popular that Norwegian authorities have set up a special whale route with car ferries linking the various islands in the area.
Author Resource:-
Travel Associates is an Australian-based luxury travel agency specialising in unique travel experiences. For more destination and travel advice go to
http://www.travel-associates.com.au
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