Worldwide · SAFARI
This is the list you would send a friend: 15 whale safaris worth the airfare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to settle before you book.
Review of Los Cristianos no-chase whale safari, with pilot whales, dolphins, guides, boat details, value, practical tips, and drawbacks.
“Very pleasant and interesting couple of hours. Saw plenty of dolphins and pilot whales.”
Review of Tromsø’s MS Gabriele whale safari, with orcas, fjords, Arctic scenery, practical tips, price advice, and honest limits.
“Great trip, received communication in advance that whales had left area so would be a different trip visiting an island. The boat was comfortable, our guide was informative and interesting and great scenery to view.”
Review of Auckland’s 4.5-hour dolphin and whale safari, with marine scientists, island views, conservation support, and practical tips.
“Nice views of the harbor and seeing dolphins. No whales however. All over a worth while and fun experience.”
Review of Polar Adventures’ Tromsø whale safari, with orcas, humpbacks, fjord views, meals, thermal suits, costs, and practical tips.
“Great experience. Juan, the main guide was amazing and did a very good job giving a lot of information about orcas and whales. It is very very important to take with you pills for seasick otherwise you will have a bad experience. However the views are astonishing”
Review of Húsavík’s two-hour RIB whale safari, with puffins, small groups, expert guides, practical tips, price advice, and weather notes.
“Took a guided tour with Gentle Giants on Sept 10 in the morning. Our guide was super knowledgeable and friendly, the speed boat was able to get to whale locations very fast, compared to the big slow crammed boats. We saw rare whales and humpbacks; at one point just over an arms length away. Our guide she educated us, the captain he knew what he was doing, everyone was so overjoyed. I am so happy I took a risk and spent a little extra on a much higher quality tour. Life changing experience! Sebastien and Tia”
Ride a fast RIB from Húsavík to spot whales, dolphins, and puffins, with warm suits, expert guides, and a small group setting.
“We had an amazing time! We saw minkes, humpbacks and the largest pod of dolphins I've ever seen jumping and playing all around our boat. Our guide and captain did a wonderful job! If you've never been on a rib boat before the seats are all individual - like a motorcycle or snowmobile - which allows you to bend your knees or stand when appropriate. This is important for when the boat is going fast and hits a wave hard. You will want to stand to prevent your back from being jolted on impact - think of it like going up and down in the saddle of a horse. Do…”
Review of Cabo’s 4-hour open ocean safari, with whales, rays, dolphins, snorkeling, small groups, pricing, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“I have to say, when I booked this experience I did zero research and chose it purely based on the pictures they posted. I really wasn’t sure if those photos were real or just clever advertising, but I took a leap of faith. Let me tell you — those pictures are 100% real and still don’t do justice to the moments we actually experienced. It was insane, to say the least. This was our first time doing a safari-style adventure on the water, but the fact that the rest of our small (!!!) group consisted of professional free divers and marine-life photographers with thousands of followers on social media speaks…”
Review of Tromsø’s six-hour whale safari aboard MS Keiser Wilhelm, with orcas, humpbacks, Arctic scenery, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.
“Excellent day. Quite rough seas and the crew did a good job of looking after the unwell. Great views of pods of Orca's. Fleeting view of a humpback. Guide informative, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Trip well organised.”
Review of Skjervøy’s whale watching RIB safari, with orcas, humpbacks, Arctic views, transport details, cold-weather tips, and value advice.
“It was an utterly unforgettable experience. The tour guide was respectful to the Orka’s at all times however ensured we captured the most phenomenal pictures. I would highly recommend this tour company.”
Review of Oahu’s one-hour glass-viewing cruise, with Waikiki views, fish, turtles, dolphins, practical tips, and honest wildlife expectations.
“It was a nice boat ride but that is all it was. We seen a few fish, but that was quite a let down. We did not see turtles or dolphins.”
Review of La Ventana’s 5-hour ocean safari for mobula rays, dolphins, whales, and possible orcas, with practical tips on price, safety, and value.
“I loved this excursion! Our guide, Juan, knows his stuff. Above all, they prioritized the safety of the animals. Super respectful, experienced, & ridiculously good at spotting whales.”
Swim near migrating humpback whales at Ningaloo Reef on an eight-hour Coral Bay safari with lunch, photos, and sparkling wine.
“We would put down 6 stars if we could! A lot of the tour is up to the animals but the staff/ crew do their best to give you a wonderful experience! The humpbacks were so active on the day we went, so swimming with them was difficult but the crew did their best and wRead more”
Whale Safari in Tromso review: see orcas and humpbacks by catamaran, with practical advice on weather, motion sickness, seating, and value.
“What a day! The weather wasn’t great but they warned us with motion sickness bands or meds as the bumps as we crossed the Barents Sea straight were pretty big! Many other companies cancelled but we are so pleased they didn’t! After travelling about 2 hrs we reached the area and the orcas welcomed us. We saw about 4 pods of beautiful majestic orcas. The humpbacks were more coy only showing us flashes of their tails. Well worth the round-trip!!!”
Review of Trincomalee’s small-group whale and dolphin safari, with practical advice on wildlife, boat comfort, price, timing, and what to expect.
“We went on this excursion and everything went really well. It’s true that there are lots of boats out at sea, which can really disturb the animals, but these guys do their best not to interfere with their path, and they move away as soon as they can to avoid stressing the dolphins. I highly recommend it, as I really appreciated their empathy towards the dolphins and their habitat.”
Review of Sea Safari Tenerife’s 3-hour speedboat tour, with dolphins, pilot whales, snorkeling, BladeFish rides, snacks, price, and booking tips.
“El guía fue encantador. Vimos ballenas piloto, delfines y peces voladores. El baño en la cala fue espectacular y lo pasamos estupendamente.”
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