Worldwide · 1-DAY TOURS

The World’s 15 Best One-Day Whale Watching Trips

23 tours  ·  from $76 a head

This is the list you would send a friend: 15 one-day whale watching trips worth the airfare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to settle before you book.

From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip - What you see along the Charlevoix route
1-Day Tours, Canada Whale Watching Tours, Full-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching Tours

From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat - Three Hours on the Salish Sea
1-Day Tours, Canada Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Vancouver Whale Watching Tours, Whale Watching Tours

Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise - Moreton Island from the water
1-Day Tours, Australia Whale Watching Tours, Brisbane Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Cruises, Whale Watching Cruises in Australia, Whale Watching Tours

Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise

Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip - Meeting near the Goldbelt Tramway
1-Day Tours, Juneau Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Whale Watching Tours, Whale Watching Tours

Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip

Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching - The Vancouver seaplane terminal and the first flight
1-Day Tours, Canada Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Vancouver Whale Watching Tours, Whale Watching Tours

Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

5.Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $520

Fly by seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria, watch whales for three hours, and enjoy free time in Victoria on this full-day coastal adventure.

“The entire trip was fantastic. We arrived at the harbour air terminal in the morning where we caught a seaplane over to Vancouver Island. From there we went by zodiac boat out on the whale-watching tour where our guides Jeff and Shannon found the amazing T60 matriline of Bigg's killer whales, several large humpback whales, a sea lion, some jellyfish, and a few other assorted critters. It was a great experience. We returned by seaplane to Vancouver that evening, and spent the whole time telling people about how much fun we had.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip - Riding toward the 165-foot El Limón Waterfall
1-Day Tours, Dominican Republic Whale Watching Tours, Punta Cana Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

6.Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · from $169

Review the Punta Cana whale watching and El Limón Waterfall day trip, with horse ride details, costs, travel time, and practical advice.

“The boat crew and whale watch was fun- although short - once we’d seen a few whales! The guide basically said. That’s good enough . The horse back ride was awful - the hoses are in terrible shape and maltreated - yelled at and hit Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip - Breakfast at the ranch and the trip to the sanctuary
1-Day Tours, Dominican Republic Whale Watching Tours, Punta Cana Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

From Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

7.From Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 87 reviews · 12 hours · from $189

Review of Punta Cana's 12-hour whale-watching trip to Samaná, Cayo Levantado, and El Limón, with honest advice on comfort, timing, and value.

“Overall an okay trip. It did everything as described but with no finesse or comfort. It was a really long day, picked up at 6.30 and not back until nearly 9.00pm. The guide was very adept at getting a large number of tourists from one place to the next, on and off coaches etc, but did little else. It would have been nice to have been given some information about the whales, the area, culture…anything really!! The time on Bacardi island was really short (1 hour), then we spent a really long time after the waterfall waiting to get the safari truck to go back to the boat back. It…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches - North Gorge Walk, the day’s finest view
1-Day Tours, Australia Whale Watching Tours, Brisbane Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruises

Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches

Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town - The early Cape Town pickup and nine-hour schedule
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, South Africa Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

9.Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 29 reviews · from $101

Review of Hermanus whale watching from Cape Town, with shore sightings, optional boat trip, wine tasting, scenic roads, and practical tips.

“The trip was very beautiful, passing through amazing landscapes. The guide Rodney was knowledgeable, though not a very good listener. Nevertheless, he made sure we got the best spots for each activity. We saw Whales and Penguins. Wine tasting was also done, though in short.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Svolvær: Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes - Finding the bus in Svolvær
1-Day Tours, Norway Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

From Svolvær: Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes

10.From Svolvær: Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 27 reviews · from $361

Review of the Svolvær to Andenes whale-watching trip, with Arctic scenery, RIB boat details, costs, timing, food, and practical tips.

“Because the bus stop had been moved due to work, we were confused about the boarding location in Solvaer... We didn't see the bus and therefore didn't pick it up. We took a taxi to the ferry as quickly as possible... but we were 5 minutes late... Expedition costs gone, taxi costs added, a very big disappointment to process!!!! So sad!!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boavista: Whale Watching half day trip - From hotel pickup to Sal Rei harbor
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

Boavista: Whale Watching half day trip

11.Boavista: Whale Watching half day trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $76Best value

Review of Boa Vista’s $76 whale-watching trip, with a marine biologist, Zodiac boat ride, hotel pickup, and practical tips.

“We hebben meerdere walvissen gezien en daarnaast het gezang van walvissen gehoord. Heel bijzonder. er werd veel informatie gegeven gedurende de tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip - What whale watching in Samaná Bay is really like
1-Day Tours, Dominican Republic Whale Watching Tours, Punta Cana Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip

12.Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 15 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $150

Review of Punta Cana’s whale watching, Bacardi Island, El Limón and Playa Rincón day trip, with honest advice on price, timing, boats and value.

“The guide Christelle was very professional! I have never seen someone be able to navigate through languages so seamlessly! She knew her information very well and was great at handling things and keeping us all in check and order. She explained things correctly and multiple times to ensure all participants understood. Very impressed by her. The pick up from the hotel was done very well and punctual as well. The boat however was very rocky (the weather conditions weren’t ideal) and so be warned and prepared before going on! It gets wet too so plan accordingly. We were able to see a couple of whales and it was wonderful. The…”

Check availability →Read our full review

1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein - Meeting the crew at 6:30 am
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Whale Watching Tours, South Africa Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

13.1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $331

Join a small-group whale expedition from Yzerfontein, with humpbacks, dolphins, seabirds, expert guides, snacks, and lunch included.

“Amazing trip I'd highly recommend, especially photographers! Small groups of people which makes the trip so much nicer. Although we didn't get to see a super group, we saw a lone juvenile Humpback and then a mother with her calf. PleRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Whale Watching and Bacardi Island day trip from Punta Cana - The early hotel pickup and ride to the bay
1-Day Tours, Dominican Republic Whale Watching Tours, Punta Cana Whale Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

Whale Watching and Bacardi Island day trip from Punta Cana

14.Whale Watching and Bacardi Island day trip from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · from $158

Search for humpback whales in Samaná Bay, then enjoy lunch, drinks, and two hours on Cayo Levantado with hotel transport included.

“Pick up from my hotel was seamless (if a little early). The whales were great. The ride there was interesting. Loved lunch and time on the beach. Nacho told us some history of the island. Two recommendations, provide the guides with some information about whales and please don’t introduce politics into the trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kaikoura Private Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch - The North Canterbury road to Kaikōura
1-Day Tours, New Zealand Whale Watching Tours, Private Whale Watching Charters, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching Tours

Kaikoura Private Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

15.Kaikoura Private Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $186

Review of the private Christchurch to Kaikōura whale-watching day trip, with practical advice on cost, timing, wildlife, guides, and what to expect.

“Kaikōura is a fantastic destination for marine life lovers. Seeing huge whales, cute seals, and playful dolphins and fishing along the shore was an unforgettable experience. It was such a pleasure to visit beautiful Kaikōura and watch its incredibRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Where the whales are

Pick a coast, a season or a boat.