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Nine amazing whale-watching spots around the world

Md Mahfuzur Rahman || risingbd.com

Published: 15:21, 21 July 2014   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Nine amazing whale-watching spots around the world

Seeing whales could be the highlight of your trip

Risingbd Desk: The Australian coast is blessed with some great opportunities for whale watching, but for those who love marine wildlife, there’s many more places worth exploring around the world.

 

From different species of whale to the spectacular scenery that surrounds them, each location offers a unique experience.

 

Here are some of the world’s top places to get up close with the giants of the sea.

 

Do you have a favourite place for whale watching? Share your tip.

 

Tonga

 

One of the only places where it’s possible to swim with whales, Tonga’s waters attract humpbacks on their migration between July and October, and is becoming popular with tourists eager to join them.

 

There are various options to swim with the whales. WhaleSwim Adventures runs various tours, including a four-night catamaran tour around the islands of Vava’u and Whale Discoveries runs day tours from Foa Island.

 

Alaska

 

The coastal regions of Alaska are filled with marine life, including grey, killer, humpback and beluga whales. The best months are from June to September.

 

Many Alaskan cruises focusing on whale watching are listed on the Alaska Whale Tours website.

 

National Geographic Expeditions run eight-day tours through Alaska’s Inside Passage, which includes opportunities for kayaking with whales and a chance to meet members of the Alaska Whale Foundation.

 

Dominica

 

This Caribbean island is the only country in the world where sperm whales are found all year, although the best months to see them are between November and March.

 

Various Caribbean cruises make port visits to Dominica, where whale watching and diving are among the popular activities. The Dominica tourism site has information for divers and day trippers and the Anchorage Hotel organises regular tours.

 

Antarctica

 

Seeing wildlife in unique surrounds is one of the main attractions for an Antarctic expedition. A whole host of whale species can be seen in Antarctic waters, including the biggest on the planet, blue whales, as well as humpbacks, killer, right and minke whales.

 

Many tour companies, including Chimu Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, Peregrine Adventures and Adventure Life, run Antarctic cruises.

 

Iceland

 

More than 20 species of whales and dolphins can be found in Icelandic waters, and it’s one of the nation’s most popular attractions, with 25 per cent of international visitors to the country going whale watching.

 

A range of cruise itineraries take in Iceland, including Tauck.

 

Hawaii

 

Not just a popular holiday spot for humans, Hawaii is also a favourite destination for humpback whales between December and May. Clear water around the islands make whale spotting easier, plus you’ll also see dolphins and turtles.

 

New Zealand

 

Head to the South Island whale-watching hotspot of Kaikoura. This is one of the only places in the world where you can easily see sperm whales year-round, while killer whales, humpback whales visit seasonally. Dolphins are also often seen here.

 

Scotland

 

The islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides off Scotland’s west coast are a haven for marine life, including large pods of minke whales, as well as killer whales, with the season running from April to November.

 

A number of companies offering whale-watching tours around the islands. Hebridean Whale Cruises runs day trips from Gairloch on the mainland and Responsible Travel has a three-day whale cruise itinerary of the Inner Hebrides from the Isle of Mull.

 

South Africa

 

Southern right and humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to South Africa each winter, to mate and calve in the warmer waters. Peak season is between July and December.

 

Source: heraldsun

 

risingbd/ July 21, 2014/Mahfuz

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