Whale shark encounters rank near the top of any diving bucket list and that’s because there is something so magical about seeing a whale in the wild. Maybe it’s the fact that we feel so small next to them or that for most of us, whales aren´t animals that we get the chance to see every day.
Seeing whales in the wild, in their natural environment, is an infinitely better way to review them than in captivity. If you’d like to enjoy this unforgettable opportunity, the following destinations rank among the best spots to come face-to-face with these magnificent animals.
A face-to-face-encounter with whale sharks in the Caribbean
Get ready for the thrill of a lifetime when you’re face-to-face with the world’s largest fish.
As the warmer months start to roll around, Whale Sharks make their way to the Caribbean.
The first thing you should know is whale sharks are not a species of whales; they are in fact, sharks. They get their name from their great size! They grow up to 12 meters long.
Although its mouth can stretch to four feet wide, whale sharks are filter feeders and can neither bite nor chew. So, no worries, they won´t try to eat you.
So, when you want to have an incredible experience with the biggest fish in the sea, make sure to visit Cancun and Riviera Maya. Between the months of May and September, travelers can enjoy many different excursions to go and visit them. The best time to see a lot of whale sharks is in July and August, with these beautiful creatures heading elsewhere in mid-September.
If you decide to live this summer experience, we recommend the Whale Shark Adventure Tour. This is a one-time life opportunity to swim with whale sharks and explore the Caribbean Sea full of marine life and learn about their ecosystem. They will swim peacefully next to you; you just simply need to go with the flow as you snorkel.
Whale Photo Safari in Puerto Vallarta
Whale watching in Puerto Vallarta should be near the top of every bucket list for visitors to this wonderful vacation destination. Every winter enormous humpback whales arrive in the Bay of Banderas to give birth and mate. During their stay, they love to leap from the waters and flop back to the surface with an almighty crash, providing incredible photo opportunities!
The most common whales in Puerto Vallarta are humpback whales, and it’s estimated that two thousand of them visit the Bay of Banderas each year. Being able to watch this extraordinary natural phenomenon up-close is a humbling, often emotional, experience. Though you cannot swim with these whales, you can observe them from a short distance away aboard a variety of tour boats. One of the most popular tours is the Whale Photo Safari, which will take you on rugged, inflatable boats in search of these magnificent migrating whales. Once you get close enough, get ready to snap the perfect photos of your encounter. Then watch the whales leap up into the air as they breach and their tails splash above the ocean’s surface!
A glimpse of a majestic Kohola, or humpback whale, in Hawaii
Hawaii’s idyllic weather welcomes tourists from around the world, the warm and shallow waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands are a favorite destination for kohola, or humpback whales. Scientists estimate that two-thirds of the entire North Pacific humpback whale population return to Hawaii to breed, calve and nurse their young, delighting spectators from May through December. Most of these whales find the islands around Hawaii to be the perfect place to take a much-needed vacation – and who wouldn’t, right?
If you plan a trip to Hawaii, make sure you visit Oahu Island. The beautiful gold coast of Oahu is where many visitors have seen the magic of the whales by simply looking out the windows of their resort. A popular Whale Watching Tour will take you to cruise the waters of Oahu as migrating whales swim near its shores and channels. This is a memorable way of treating yourself to scenic ocean views while observing whales playfully surfacing, tail slapping or blowing spouts in the air.
To observe these gentle giants in their natural habitats is a privilege few can talk about. Witnessing our planet’s majestic wildlife up close creates memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss the opportunity to join a whale encounter experience on your next vacation. You can choose your favorite destination and book these unique opportunities on our webpage. Remember to follow us on social media where we share all the experiences offered in all our destinations.
