From Right Place, Right Time for Southern Right Whales by Niamh and Cathal

If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure that allows you to sail the seas while seeing some of the world’s most massive and magnificent creatures, then a whale-watching excursion may be just your cup of tea. Killer whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, minke, finback and more can be viewed in their natural habitats all over the world. Here are a few of the best places to catch a glimpse of these awe-inspiring animals, as well as other amazing wildlife.

Kaikoura, New Zealand

Nestled at the foot of the Southern Alps, Kaikoura is a beautiful seaside settlement on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Kaikoura is known world-wide for its vast population of marine mammals and seabirds, inspiring travelers to seek wildlife adventures here. Though the town sees a lot of tourism, dedication to conservation and sustainable tourism has helped maintain the town’s delightful charm. Aside from the artsy vibe, great little cafes, historical buildings, and extraordinary scenery, people come to Kaikoura to catch a glimpse of a mighty whale. Sperm Whales are the most commonly spotted, as they feed along the shores year-round. You may also see orca whales December - March, and in June and July, you’re likely to spot humpback whales. Kairouka is also home to Dusky Dolphins, Fur Seals, and a great variety of seabirds.

RealTravelers James and Naomi recently ventured on a whale-watching tour in Kaikoura before heading off to see the North Island. Here’s an excerpt from their adventure:

“…we headed out in our Whale-watch boat with about 50 others. There are several boats out at once and they are all in contact with each other to help spot the whales. The whales dive for about 40-60 minutes and then come to the surface to digest their food and take in some air for about 5-10 minutes, so when one is spotted all of the boats dash madly to try to get there before it dives again. We missed the first few by a matter of seconds but eventually we managed to get two really good viewings of sperm whales and the tail end of one (so to speak.)” (more…)

There are generally two ways to see the whales. Like James and Naomi, you can sail out to see them, or, if you prefer a bird’s eye view, you can take a whale-watch flight via small plane or helicopter. Some tour companies even include flying lessons, and pretty much all tours include guides who are exceptionally knowledgeable about marine life. Check out the links below to learn more.

Tours:
Whalewatch New Zealand
Whale Watch Tours at Kaikoura
Kaikoura Whale Watching

Whale Stories:
Seaside and Whale-Watching by Cate
New Zealand… by James and Naomi
Whale Watching by Adria

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is popular with travelers for many reasons — its white sand beaches, great shops, premium golf courses, gorgeous meadows, fresh seafood, and, indeed, its whales! Disembarking from harbors in Plymoth, Barnstable, or Provincetown, you’ll sail into the ocean blue where you’ll meet minke, finback, and humpback whales. Most tours guarantee a sighting, and most travel to the Stellenwagon Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a 600 nautical mile feeding ground for whales and other marine life. The peak time to see whales in Cape Cod is April - October.

RealTravel members Jerseytravelers recommend whale-watching in Cape Cod for a memorable family outing. They write:

“After approx/ 90 mins…the boat stops and the crew starts looking for whales. At first we saw a few far away from the boat. But later… they got closer…a baby whale got so close to the boat that you could almost touch his flipper. I will never forget everyone’s faces. Sammie’s face expression was priceless. I’m sure she will never forget it.” (more…)

Tours and more:
Cape Cod Whale Watching
Whalewatch.com
Cape Cod Visitor’s Directory
Cape Cod Whale Watching, Tours and Boat Excursions

Peninsula Valdes, Argentina

Along the Atlantic coast in Patagonia lies the Peninsula Valdes, an important nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The UNESCO website states that it is “home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whale as well as important breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions.” Peninsula Valdes is also home to a population of orcas who live on the east coast where they capture their food by beaching on the shores, a unique technique they’ve adapted for survival. The biggest attraction is probably the southern right whales, who are found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San Carlos. The best time to see these magnificent creatures is from June to mid-December.

RealTravelers Beats Working! had a fantastic experience seeing southern right whales here, which they recorded in their blog, Chile and Argentina, Part I:

“On an overnight bus we headed West to the Atlantic coast of Patagonia to see the abundance of marine wildlife. First a guided tour of Peninsula Valdes, the highlight being a boat trip to see the massive Southern Right Whales who can be found in their greatest number just off the coast. They are renowned for being one of the easier whales to watch and we were not disappointed. To see such a vast animal ( they can measure up to 16m in length) in their natural habitat was a real privilege. We even got to see a mother and calf swimming together right alongside our boat. Back on land we saw sea lions, huge elephant seals and land critters, the Rhea ( like an ostrich), Mara ( South American hare) and easily the largest spider either of us has ever seen - a tarantula no less - just wandering across the path in front of us.” (more…)

Other destinations renowned for excellent whale-watching opportunities are: Azores, Portugal; the beautiful Caribbean country of Dominica; the islands of Hawaii; Orcas Island in Washington State; the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec; and the dazzling waters of San Diego and Los Cabos. Want to embark on your own whale-watching adventure? Visit the links below for more resources.

More Useful Links:
The Whale Watching Patagonia Project
Patagonia Whale Watching
Azores Whale Watching
Whale Watching in Dominica
Whale Watching Tours in Hawaii

Bookmark to:

From Bryce Canyon National Park by Dove and Josh

Traveling across the United States by car, road-trippers Dove and Josh have been making stops at some of the country’s best national parks where they’ve enjoyed hiking, horseback riding, camping, and soaking in the unique and gorgeous natural wonders that abound. A recent adventure took place at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, a vast park famous for its incredible rock formations. The limestone rocks have been formed into spires that create a castle-like affect throughout the park. Bryce Canyon is also home to hundreds of bird species, a variety of mammals, and over a thousands plant species. Activities here range from moonlit guided hikes, camping in the Ponderosa Pines habitat, horseback riding along cliff trails, and stargazing. Dove and Josh chose to see the park on horseback, which they write about in their blog, Bryce Canyon National Park - Day 69:

“We left early from Zion and headed to Bryce Canyon. We had decided that instead of hiking in Bryce we’d take a horseback ride down the canyon; it seemed the ride we picked went through most of the canyon and it would be a fun way to see everything…I can’t really say much about Bryce because its all visual. It’s gorgeous there. It’s amazing how rocks 60 miles away from each other can look so different. We were both glad we went riding instead of hiking because it allowed us to look around more instead of focusing on where our feet were being placed.” (more…)

For more information that will help you plan your trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, visit the useful links below. And to read about Dove and Josh’s other road trip adventures, check out their travel itinerary, Road Trip USA.

Useful Links:
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Guide
Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Blogs
Bryce Canyon Travel Blogs

Bookmark to: