Top 10 Whale Watching Spots in the US (2019)
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Owen Maxwell
For this list we're looking at the best places across America to see whales in their natural splendor this year. We're basing our choices on a mix of varieties and sheer numbers of whales, as well as the unique sights that each location has to offer.
Top 10 Whale-Watching Spots in the US in 2019
These massive and beautiful mammals are always worth the trip. Welcome to MojoTravels and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Whale-Watching Spots in the US in 2019.
For this list we're looking at the best places across America to see whales in their natural splendor this year. We're basing our choices on a mix of varieties and sheer numbers of whales, as well as the unique sights that each location has to offer.
#10: Newport Beach, California
Located between several major cities in southern California, the shores of Newport Beach offer whale-watching options any time of year. Populations shift with the seasons, with species like gray whales appearing from winter through spring. Several thousand blue whales return to California every year too, but they pass through Newport Beach during the summer. The region is home to dolphins and seals too, along with other whales like massive humpbacks. With its range of aquatic mammals and tours, you can see something new every time you visit Newport Beach.
#9: Bar Harbor, Maine
Despite its history as a torpedo testing range during World War Two, Bar Harbor is now an idyllic summer vacation spot. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company offers whale-watching rides that can last up to four hours, and they have other packages based around puffins. Several other tours operate on the same waters, but most of them dock from outside of town. Species like minkes and finbacks are the stars of the harbor, while orcas and sperm whales are less common. You can also take in hikes nearby at Acadia National Park, or look out at the water from one of the town's beautiful lighthouses. For whales and natural wonder, Bar Harbor's picturesque views are worth the drive.
#8: Cape May, New Jersey
As you reach Cape May at the southern edge of New Jersey, it's easy to be taken in by all the Victorian homes. However the year-round whale population continues to give tourists a lot to see on the water too. The finbacks and humpbacks seen in Cape May generally don't migrate, so you can usually see them whatever month you visit. This is largely due to the area's healthy supply of prey, which brings many species much closer to the shore than in other destinations. Dolphins in the area are also known to swim along boats and even approach beaches at times. Cape May's rarer minke and pilot whales also mean there are always a few surprises in the water.
#7: Santa Barbara, California
Amongst its intriguing boating and indigenous history, Santa Barbara is also home to a rich variety of marine life. The Santa Barbara Channel is part of several whale migration paths, which brings plenty of gray whales and humpbacks to the area. Warmer months are also full of blue whales and orcas, as well as otters and sea lions. Several tours run through the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, which helps sustain several dozen aquatic mammal species in the area. Some sailing vessel tours move gently enough to get you up close enough to listen to whales too.
#6: San Juan Islands, Washington
The San Juan Islands see plenty of whales like minkes and grays, but they are also host to many killer whales, better known as orcas. In fact migratory orca groups come into the area to chase some of the local whales. If this doesn't scare you off, the San Juan Islands have kayak tours to get within arm's reach of these violent beauties. You can also hear whales singing around the islands using hydrophones on more luxurious tours or by listening to recordings at the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor. For distinct experiences on the water, the San Juan Islands are a killer vacation choice.
#5: San Diego, California
Tens of thousands of gray whales pass through San Diego every winter, often coming near shores in La Jolla and Torrey Pines. Though whales are known to swim by the Cabrillo National Monument, you'll need binoculars to make the most of its elevated vantage point. The substantial whale and dolphin populations in San Diego also allow tours to show you more in less time. And if you miss some local minkes, chances are you'll spot hundreds of dolphins without trying anyway. So while San Diego may not be named in any way for whales, as legendary anchorman Ron Burgundy suggested, it's certainly a place they call home.
#4: Monterey Bay, California
Monterey Bay has so many sights to see, you'll likely find yourself combining whale outings with just about everything. Spend a morning with humpbacks and orcas before listening to music at the famous Monterey Jazz Festival in September. Monterey Bay also has some twelve-hour whale-watching tours, if you'd rather ignore all the markets and museums around the area. If you still need more aquatic life while on land, you can see everything from penguins to sharks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Sure, Big Sur offers great hikes for whale-watching just a short drive away, Monterey Bay is better for getting out on the water.
#3: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod has a violent whale-hunting past, but now it fosters its whales wholeheartedly. Whale-watching tours run to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary from towns all over the region like Hyannis, Chatham and Plymouth. While Provincetown is at the far-end of the cape's main highway, their boats can get to Stellwagen Bank sooner. Cape Cod is also great for spotting endangered mammals like the massive North Atlantic right whale, though you'll certainly see humpbacks, minkes and others too. You'll get more of a city energy by heading north to Gloucester, Massachusetts, but rest assured their tours enter the Stellwagen Bank too.
#2: Juneau, Alaska
Up north is a great place to explore different sides of nature. There are plenty of seals, eagles and bears in Juneau, so your trip will rarely be without wildlife. Around Juneau, you'll mostly be seeing humpbacks and orcas in your whale-watching outings. You can see minkes in Glacier Bay as well, while Kodiak hosts an entire festival around their grey whale migrations in April. Juneau is great for watching humpbacks bubble net feed, where a group of whales will use air from their blowholes to confuse fish. Venture into the lush greenery of Rainforest Trail for some whale-watching outlooks, too.
#1: Maui, Hawaii
When you're out on the tropical beaches of Maui for a swim of your own, you'll have plenty of company nearby. Humpbacks travel through Maui as early as September and October, though tours generally start in December. Some local companies offer combination whale-watching and snorkeling packages, which occasionally let you swim with the humpbacks. Though Maui is a great opportunity to catch extraordinary species like melon-headed whales and false killer whales, you'll need some luck to spot them. While Maui is generally a winter whale-watching destination, seasons can run well into May. And since you're already in Hawaii, you can enjoy all the sun and relaxation that Maui offers as well.
These massive and beautiful mammals are always worth the trip. Welcome to MojoTravels and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Whale-Watching Spots in the US in 2019.
For this list we're looking at the best places across America to see whales in their natural splendor this year. We're basing our choices on a mix of varieties and sheer numbers of whales, as well as the unique sights that each location has to offer.
#10: Newport Beach, California
Located between several major cities in southern California, the shores of Newport Beach offer whale-watching options any time of year. Populations shift with the seasons, with species like gray whales appearing from winter through spring. Several thousand blue whales return to California every year too, but they pass through Newport Beach during the summer. The region is home to dolphins and seals too, along with other whales like massive humpbacks. With its range of aquatic mammals and tours, you can see something new every time you visit Newport Beach.
#9: Bar Harbor, Maine
Despite its history as a torpedo testing range during World War Two, Bar Harbor is now an idyllic summer vacation spot. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company offers whale-watching rides that can last up to four hours, and they have other packages based around puffins. Several other tours operate on the same waters, but most of them dock from outside of town. Species like minkes and finbacks are the stars of the harbor, while orcas and sperm whales are less common. You can also take in hikes nearby at Acadia National Park, or look out at the water from one of the town's beautiful lighthouses. For whales and natural wonder, Bar Harbor's picturesque views are worth the drive.
#8: Cape May, New Jersey
As you reach Cape May at the southern edge of New Jersey, it's easy to be taken in by all the Victorian homes. However the year-round whale population continues to give tourists a lot to see on the water too. The finbacks and humpbacks seen in Cape May generally don't migrate, so you can usually see them whatever month you visit. This is largely due to the area's healthy supply of prey, which brings many species much closer to the shore than in other destinations. Dolphins in the area are also known to swim along boats and even approach beaches at times. Cape May's rarer minke and pilot whales also mean there are always a few surprises in the water.
#7: Santa Barbara, California
Amongst its intriguing boating and indigenous history, Santa Barbara is also home to a rich variety of marine life. The Santa Barbara Channel is part of several whale migration paths, which brings plenty of gray whales and humpbacks to the area. Warmer months are also full of blue whales and orcas, as well as otters and sea lions. Several tours run through the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, which helps sustain several dozen aquatic mammal species in the area. Some sailing vessel tours move gently enough to get you up close enough to listen to whales too.
#6: San Juan Islands, Washington
The San Juan Islands see plenty of whales like minkes and grays, but they are also host to many killer whales, better known as orcas. In fact migratory orca groups come into the area to chase some of the local whales. If this doesn't scare you off, the San Juan Islands have kayak tours to get within arm's reach of these violent beauties. You can also hear whales singing around the islands using hydrophones on more luxurious tours or by listening to recordings at the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor. For distinct experiences on the water, the San Juan Islands are a killer vacation choice.
#5: San Diego, California
Tens of thousands of gray whales pass through San Diego every winter, often coming near shores in La Jolla and Torrey Pines. Though whales are known to swim by the Cabrillo National Monument, you'll need binoculars to make the most of its elevated vantage point. The substantial whale and dolphin populations in San Diego also allow tours to show you more in less time. And if you miss some local minkes, chances are you'll spot hundreds of dolphins without trying anyway. So while San Diego may not be named in any way for whales, as legendary anchorman Ron Burgundy suggested, it's certainly a place they call home.
#4: Monterey Bay, California
Monterey Bay has so many sights to see, you'll likely find yourself combining whale outings with just about everything. Spend a morning with humpbacks and orcas before listening to music at the famous Monterey Jazz Festival in September. Monterey Bay also has some twelve-hour whale-watching tours, if you'd rather ignore all the markets and museums around the area. If you still need more aquatic life while on land, you can see everything from penguins to sharks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Sure, Big Sur offers great hikes for whale-watching just a short drive away, Monterey Bay is better for getting out on the water.
#3: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod has a violent whale-hunting past, but now it fosters its whales wholeheartedly. Whale-watching tours run to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary from towns all over the region like Hyannis, Chatham and Plymouth. While Provincetown is at the far-end of the cape's main highway, their boats can get to Stellwagen Bank sooner. Cape Cod is also great for spotting endangered mammals like the massive North Atlantic right whale, though you'll certainly see humpbacks, minkes and others too. You'll get more of a city energy by heading north to Gloucester, Massachusetts, but rest assured their tours enter the Stellwagen Bank too.
#2: Juneau, Alaska
Up north is a great place to explore different sides of nature. There are plenty of seals, eagles and bears in Juneau, so your trip will rarely be without wildlife. Around Juneau, you'll mostly be seeing humpbacks and orcas in your whale-watching outings. You can see minkes in Glacier Bay as well, while Kodiak hosts an entire festival around their grey whale migrations in April. Juneau is great for watching humpbacks bubble net feed, where a group of whales will use air from their blowholes to confuse fish. Venture into the lush greenery of Rainforest Trail for some whale-watching outlooks, too.
#1: Maui, Hawaii
When you're out on the tropical beaches of Maui for a swim of your own, you'll have plenty of company nearby. Humpbacks travel through Maui as early as September and October, though tours generally start in December. Some local companies offer combination whale-watching and snorkeling packages, which occasionally let you swim with the humpbacks. Though Maui is a great opportunity to catch extraordinary species like melon-headed whales and false killer whales, you'll need some luck to spot them. While Maui is generally a winter whale-watching destination, seasons can run well into May. And since you're already in Hawaii, you can enjoy all the sun and relaxation that Maui offers as well.
