Worldwide · KAYAK WHALE WATCHING

Our 15 Best Kayak Whale Watching Tours, Worldwide

24 tours  Â·  from $109 a head

Good kayak whale watching tours sell out a season ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ on the water.

Orca Cove Sea Kayaking - Getting ready aboard the 57-foot catamaran
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Orca Cove Sea Kayaking

1.Orca Cove Sea Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 322 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $175Our pick

Paddle secluded coves near Ketchikan with a six-person group, wildlife watch, boat transfers, and a smoked salmon snack.

“In a 3 hour excursion, only ~1 hour was actually spent on the kayaks and we felt rushed the whole time. We were paddling 95% of the time and didn't have any real time to stop and enjoy the scenery. Our guide was nice but net loud and talked the entire time, often about his personal life and past. The goal for us was to get out into nature and enjoy the sounds and relax. That's not what this tour was. Everyone else in our group loved it, though so it just depends on what you're looking for. We came back 5 mins late apparently and were rushed onto the…”

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Kayak & Turtle Town Snorkel(Turtles Guaranteed) + Whale Watching - The turtle cleaning station
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Kayak & Turtle Town Snorkel(Turtles Guaranteed) + Whale Watching

South Maui: Whale Watch Kayaking and Snorkel Tour in Kihei - The first paddle, with whales as the main hope
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South Maui: Whale Watch Kayaking and Snorkel Tour in Kihei

Kayak and Whale Watching Tour - Meeting at Makena Landing Park at 7:00 am
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Kayak and Whale Watching Tour

4.Kayak and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Kayak from Makena Landing beside Maui’s humpback whales, with a small group, skilled guide, early start, and free cancellation.

“This was a highlight of the week! We highly recommend taking this trip. We saw whales super close by. Chris was a great guide full of helpful knowledge. Our family loved this adventure!!”

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Juneau Shore Excursion: Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure - Meeting at the C sign near the cruise docks
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Juneau Shore Excursion: Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure

5.Juneau Shore Excursion: Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $494

Paddle Alaska’s Inside Passage near humpback feeding grounds with a small group, full gear, guides, snacks, and boat transport from Juneau.

“Amazing employees and excursions. I’ve never kayaked before but was given excellent instructions. My kayak mate and I were given the ultimate experience of having a humpback whale surface right in front of our kayak. A once in a life time experience!!!!”

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Whale Watch and Scenic Tour from Kayak - Peddling along the West Maui coast
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Whale Watch and Scenic Tour from Kayak

6.Whale Watch and Scenic Tour from Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Review of Maui’s small-group kayak whale watch from Olowalu Beach, with pedal kayaks, scenic views, wildlife, tips, and booking advice.

“This was an incredible experience. La and Andon were the best guides and made sure we had the experience of a lifetime. Loved the pedaling kayaks- it kept my hands free for taking video of the beautiful whales we came across. I would 10/10 do it again. Amazing.”

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Kayak, Whale Watch And Snorkel At Turtle Town - Kayaks built for a three-hour outing
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Kayak, Whale Watch And Snorkel At Turtle Town

7.Kayak, Whale Watch And Snorkel At Turtle Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $109Best value

Kayak from Olowalu to Turtle Town for whale watching and snorkeling with turtles, using quality gear and small-group local guides on Maui.

“Robbie is very easygoing, responsive and reliable. Had a good time try snorkelling first time ever in my life. Will definitely recommend this tour to beginners if you can (somehow) swim. This is the best tour ever I had in Hawaii to see the turtles swimming around.”

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Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure Juneau - Starting near the Goldbelt Tram
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Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure Juneau

8.Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure Juneau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $494

Paddle Juneau’s whale-rich Channel Islands with expert guides, island snacks, rain gear, and small-group access to remote Alaska.

“It is nearly a full day experience, so worth it though. The tour group will provide for you everything that you need and a very nice stack at the end.”

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Noosa: Epic Whale Watching On Ocean Kayaks & Beach 4X4 Tour - Starting at The J in Noosa Heads
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Noosa: Epic Whale Watching On Ocean Kayaks & Beach 4X4 Tour

Campbell River: Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour - Starting at Discovery Harbour Marina
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Campbell River: Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour

10.Campbell River: Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $382

Kayak the Discovery Islands, then search for whales, orcas, dolphins, and sea lions on a small-group boat tour from Campbell River.

“Well organised and nice tour. Captain Martin and Kayak Manager Steve, were very well prepared and always friendly and helpful. The lunch on board was really good as were all the snacks served. Very nice 3 hours kayaking in absolute peace! The only downside of the Tour was not seeing the sea lions and eagles fishing (and a few bears on the shore 😓), but you can't see everything. It is perhaps not a Tour I would recommend to photographers, who like us want to capture some of the Canadian wildlife, but it is still a very enjoyable and at the same time relaxing Tour. Thank you!”

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Samaná: Whale, Cayo Levantado, & Kayak in Samaná Bay Tour - From Samaná Port into humpback country
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Samaná: Whale, Cayo Levantado, & Kayak in Samaná Bay Tour

11.Samaná: Whale, Cayo Levantado, & Kayak in Samaná Bay Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 9 reviews · 20 minutes - 7 hours

Watch humpback whales, enjoy lunch on Cayo Levantado, and kayak past Samaná’s bridges on this full-day bay adventure.

“Hicimos la excursion de Ballenas y vimos dos madres con crias! El guia fue muy atento. Luego de la comida en Cayo levantado hicimos kayaks y los niños la pasaron bien. Buena excursion para familias. Gracias!”

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2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two - The beach launch and safety lesson
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2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two

12.2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Review of La Jolla’s 2-hour whale-watching kayak tour, with practical details on wildlife, guides, price, fitness, safety, and what to expect.

“My husband and I really enjoyed the kayak tour - we had a great guide - Gerardo at Everday California was knowledgeable and friendly! We saw a whale and dolphins, and the two hours flew by. We would definitely do it again!”

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Campbell River: Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour - Starting at Discovery Harbour Marina
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Campbell River: Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour

13.Campbell River: Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8 reviews · from $360

Spend nine hours kayaking remote British Columbia waters and watching whales, orcas, bears, and more from Campbell River.

“Fantastic company Laura and Stephen were great guides took us to some amazing remote locations . Saw many humpbacks and even lucky enough to see two of them breaching .very organised and delicious packed lunch onboard .”

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Noosa: Epic Whale Watching Ocean Kayak Tour & Beach 4X4 - First look at Double Island Point
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Noosa: Epic Whale Watching Ocean Kayak Tour & Beach 4X4

14.Noosa: Epic Whale Watching Ocean Kayak Tour & Beach 4X4

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 6 hours · from $121

Review of Noosa’s six-hour whale watching kayak and 4X4 beach tour, with practical details on wildlife, value, safety, and what to expect.

“esperienza bellissima. siamo stati poco fortunati e le balene le abbiamo viste da lontano. Ma è comunque stato bellissimo, organizzazione perfetta, posti meravigliosi. Consigliatissimo”

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Ketchikan: Orca Cove Fast Boat and Sea Kayak Tour - Getting fitted for Orca Cove
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Ketchikan: Orca Cove Fast Boat and Sea Kayak Tour

15.Ketchikan: Orca Cove Fast Boat and Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $198

Review of Ketchikan’s Orca Cove kayak tour, with a fast boat ride, wildlife, smoked salmon, small groups, and practical booking advice.

“Everything was excellent. They were also flexible, as my cruise ship was leaving before the tour ended. They kindly finished our tour early and took us to our ship. The service was truly wonderful.”

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