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Whale Watching Day Trips: The 15 Worth a Whole Day

148 tours  ·  from $17 a head

Some whale trips are two hours and a coffee. These 15 take the day, go further offshore and usually come back with more, with prices, sailing times and what the extra hours actually buy.

Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester - Finding humpbacks at the feeding grounds
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Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester

1.Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,460 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $48Our pick

Review of Gloucester’s Cape Ann whale watch: a fast catamaran, naturalist guides, Stellwagen Bank, wildlife tips, price, and practical advice.

“Definitely go again ‼️ beautiful, scenic boat ride , Glouster is such a fun area to visit and the campground was nice!”

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Tromsø: Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat - The long run from Tromsø toward Skjervøy
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Tromsø: Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat

2.Tromsø: Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,217 reviews · from $195

Review of Tromsø’s hybrid-electric whale tour, with whale sightings, fjord scenery, onboard comfort, timing, price, and practical tips.

“The boarding went smoothly, obviously there is a little bit of anxiety of people trying to find seats, you will share the tables with other people and that’s fine. We were lucky with great weather, the boat didn’t rock much, just on a small part of the way there. We got to see orcas and humpbacks, we had a great day! Make sure you wear warm layers to stay outside.”

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Costa Adeje: Whale Watching Catamaran Tour with Drinks - Pilot whales only a few miles from shore
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Costa Adeje: Whale Watching Catamaran Tour with Drinks

3.Costa Adeje: Whale Watching Catamaran Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,653 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $41

Review of Costa Adeje’s whale-watching catamaran, with pilot whales, dolphins, drinks, snorkeling, pricing, tips, and honest drawbacks.

“I really enjoyed this trip. The boat wasn't overcrowded and we saw pilot whales and dolphins. The information given was just enough to be interesting without an overload. Plenty of soft drinks and water available.”

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Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship - Why the high-speed ship helps
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Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship

4.Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,000 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Search for humpback whales from Akureyri on a comfortable three-hour Eyjafjord cruise with expert guides, thermal suits, and whale photos.

“Breathtaking experience! After sailing for a little over an hour we were very lucky to come across a pair of male humpback whales who put on an incredible display, including breaching twice. The guides on the ship were excellent and provided lots of information about what we were seeing. The facilities on the ship were very good. Highly recommended.”

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Azores: Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour w/ Marine Biologist - The 2-hour-45-minute wildlife search
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Azores: Whale Watching & Islet Boat Tour w/ Marine Biologist

Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide - At the harbor, get ready for three hours outside
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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour - The Zodiac experience: close, open, and exposed
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

7.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,716 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $98

Review of Tadoussac Zodiac whale watching, with practical tips on whales, fjord views, cold weather, price, timing, and who should book.

“We LOVED the experience. We registered online. For some reason we were asked to pay in Euros instead of Canadian dollars. For 3 of us the charge was $450 which seemed high.”

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All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour - The first 45 minutes: searching for whales and dolphins
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All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

8.All Inclusive Whale and Dolphin Watching Luxury Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,573 reviews · 3 hours · from $93

Review of Madeira’s $93 luxury catamaran tour, with whale and dolphin watching, Cabo Girão swimming, local snacks, and unlimited drinks.

“We had a fantastic time on this boat trip! The crew was super friendly and made everyone feel welcome from the start. The boat wasn’t overcrowded, so there was plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the view comfortably. We were treated to some delicious snacks while on board. The highlight of the trip was definitely spotting whales! An unforgettable experience that I would absolutely recommend.”

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Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina - Lahaina departure at 1223 Front Street
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Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina

9.Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,482 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Review of Maui Eco-Raft Tour from Lahaina, with whale and dolphin seasons, raft comfort, guide quality, pricing, and booking tips.

“We had a memorable time seeing the whales & some babies. The highlight was hearing the whale songs. Description of beverages on board is a little misleading; only water was offered upon request.”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide - Andrea, a ship designed for Icelandic weather
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

10.Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,422 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $87

Review of Reykjavik whale watching with Special Tours, covering the ship, wildlife, comfort, timing, price, weather, and practical tips.

“I booked this to celebrate my 40th birthday and was trying to manage my expectations that we might not see any whale. However, we saw a minke on the way to the feeding ground, then at least 3 humpbacks. The guide was really good at sharing interesting information, then pointing us where to look. You also get access to a folder with the photos the guide took. It was really incredible - a real bucket list thing ticked off!”

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Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour - Leaving Old Fisherman’s Wharf with sea lions nearby
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Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

11.Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,300 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $75

Review of Monterey Bay whale watching with Discovery Whale Watch, including wildlife, seasons, boat tips, cost, timing, and what to expect.

“We had a fantastic afternoon. Too many whales to see all at once! A hoard of sea lions cavorting with them. Perfect weather. The boat was comfortable and the crew was helpful and knowledgeable. Enjoyed chatting with Isiah, who helped us understand what we were seeing. The trip greatly exceeded our expectations. Just wonderful.”

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Los Gigantes: Whale or Dolphin Watching Tour and Swim in Masca - Searching for pilot whales and dolphins
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Los Gigantes: Whale or Dolphin Watching Tour and Swim in Masca

Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour - Choosing Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

13.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,179 reviews · 3 hours · from $122

Review of AML Cruises’ 3-hour Tadoussac whale tour, with whale species, boat comfort, fjord views, costs, tips, and practical advice.

“We went on a three hour whale watching tour with AML Croisières out of Tadoussac. We saw many, many whales for an hour and a half. It was exciting! The boat had a lot people on it but we were able to get a great spot along the front edge of the boat on the second level. It was perfect for taking pictures with a long lens (500 mm). Sometimes the whales were so close that the whale’s tail filled the frame of the camera. Excellent adventure. Note: I was not able to understand the English speaking announcer, mostly because she talked so fast and the sound was muffled.”

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No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first - we care - The first part of the cruise: coast, cliffs, and Mount Teide
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No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first – we care

14.No chase Whale & Dolphin tour putting Marine Life first – we care

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Review of Tenerife’s Bahriyeli whale and dolphin tour, with no-chase wildlife watching, Mount Teide views, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.

“An enjoyable morning in the forest connecting with nature. Sandra made the walk informative with her knowledge of the local area and wildlife. The route we took was not too strenuous and at a steady pace.”

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Los Cristianos: Eco Yacht Whale Watching Tour at Sunset - The first 30 minutes: leaving the harbor and finding the sea
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Los Cristianos: Eco Yacht Whale Watching Tour at Sunset

15.Los Cristianos: Eco Yacht Whale Watching Tour at Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,130 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $17Best value

Review of Los Cristianos sunset whale watching on the Travelin Lady eco-yacht, with wildlife, ethical boating, views, value, and practical tips.

“Our Agafay Desert trip with Idris was nothing short of incredible. From the very beginning, he made us feel welcome, comfortable, and excited for the adventure ahead. His warm personality, deep knowledge of the region, and genuine passion for sharing Moroccan culture truly elevated the entire experience. Idris ensured every moment was smooth and enjoyable—whether it was the scenic drive, the breathtaking desert views, or the unforgettable sunset over the dunes. He was attentive to our needs, always patient, and went out of his way to make sure we had the best time possible. You can tell he loves what he does, and that energy makes the journey even more…”

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