Most people think of whale watching and immediately picture the same famous destinations that pop up in every travel guide. While places like Monterey Bay and Cape Cod certainly deliver incredible encounters, the ocean holds countless other secrets where these magnificent creatures gather in surprising numbers.
From volcanic islands in the Atlantic to remote fjords in the Arctic, some of the world’s most spectacular whale watching happens in places you’ve probably never heard of. Here is a list of 18 lesser-known destinations where you can witness these ocean giants without fighting crowds or breaking the bank.
Azores, Portugal
These volcanic islands, sitting roughly 900 miles off Portugal’s coast, offer year-round whale watching that rivals anywhere on Earth. The deep waters surrounding the archipelago attract over 20 whale species, including massive blue whales and playful sperm whales that seem genuinely curious about boats.
The best part? You’ll often have these encounters almost entirely to yourself.
Húsavík, Iceland
This tiny fishing town of 2,300 people has quietly become Europe’s whale watching capital, with success rates hovering around 95% during summer months. The nutrient-rich waters of Skjálfandi Bay draw humpback whales, minke whales, and even the occasional blue whale just a few miles from shore.
Plus, the dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains makes every sighting feel like a scene from a nature documentary.
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Kaikōura, New Zealand
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura mountain range, this coastal town offers something truly special: year-round sperm whale viewing. The underwater canyon system just offshore creates an upwelling of nutrients that attracts these deep-diving giants consistently.
You’re practically guaranteed to see sperm whales here, along with dusky dolphins that love to surf the boat’s wake.
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
This sleepy beach town transforms into a whale-watching hotspot between November and April when blue whales migrate through the waters just 3–7 miles offshore. Sri Lanka’s southern coast sits along a major whale highway, making it one of the most reliable places on the planet to spot the largest animals ever to exist.
The warm tropical setting doesn’t hurt either.
Hermanus, South Africa
Every year between June and November, southern right whales arrive at Walker Bay to calve in the protected waters near this charming seaside town. What makes Hermanus special is that you can watch whales directly from the rocky coastline without even boarding a boat.
The town even has an official ‘whale crier’ who blows a horn to announce sightings from the shore.
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Peninsula Valdés, Argentina
This UNESCO World Heritage Site on Argentina’s Patagonian coast serves as a nursery for southern right whales from June through December. The sheltered bays of Puerto Pirámides offer incredibly close encounters with mothers and calves, often in water so shallow you can see the whales’ entire bodies.
It’s like having a front-row seat to one of nature’s most intimate moments.
Tadoussac, Quebec
Where the Saguenay River meets the St. Lawrence, this tiny Quebec village offers some of North America’s most accessible whale watching. The mixing of fresh and salt water creates a feeding frenzy that attracts belugas, minke whales, and humpbacks throughout the summer.
You can watch whales while sipping coffee at a riverside café.
Tromsø, Norway
Most people visit Tromsø for the northern lights, but winter also brings orcas and humpback whales chasing herring into the fjords around this Arctic city. The sight of killer whales hunting against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains under the polar night is otherworldly.
It’s like witnessing nature’s most dramatic theater production.
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Guerrero Negro, Mexico
This salt-mining town in Baja California becomes a whale watching paradise from January through March when gray whales arrive to give birth in the nearby lagoons. What sets this place apart is how approachable the whales become in the calm, shallow waters.
Mother whales often bring their curious calves right up to small boats for gentle interactions.
Andenes, Norway
Perched on the northern tip of Andøya island, this fishing village offers access to some of Europe’s deepest waters just offshore. The continental shelf drops dramatically here, creating perfect conditions for sperm whale encounters throughout summer.
The midnight sun means you can whale watch at 11 PM under broad daylight.
Bay of Biscay, France
The ferry route between Portsmouth and Bilbao crosses through waters that many marine biologists consider among Europe’s best for whale diversity. During summer crossings, passengers regularly spot fin whales, pilot whales, and various dolphin species from the ship’s deck.
It’s possibly the only whale watching experience where you can also enjoy a three-course meal.
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Ogata, Japan
This small coastal town in Kochi Prefecture offers intimate whale watching experiences with Bryde’s whales, which feed in the warm Kuroshio Current year-round. Local fishermen who operate small boats as whale guides can get surprisingly close to these relatively unknown baleen whales.
The traditional Japanese hospitality makes the experience feel like visiting relatives who love whales.
Skjervøy, Norway
Even more remote than Tromsø, this tiny Arctic island community provides access to deep fjords where orcas and humpback whales follow massive herring schools during winter months. The populations are so reliable that you’ll often see whales feeding right in the harbor.
It’s the kind of place where the boat captain might be your hotel owner too.
Ucluelet, British Columbia
While Tofino gets all the attention, neighboring Ucluelet offers equally spectacular gray whale watching with far fewer crowds. The spring migration brings thousands of gray whales past this Vancouver Island fishing village, often feeding in the kelp beds just outside the harbor.
Local operators know these waters intimately and can predict whale behavior with uncanny accuracy.
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Depoe Bay, Oregon
Billed as the “whale watching capital of the Oregon coast,” this tiny town sits directly on the gray whale migration route. The resident population of gray whales that skip the long migration to Alaska feeds here year-round, making it incredibly reliable for sightings.
The rocky shore configuration creates natural viewing amphitheaters where waves crash dramatically around the spouts of whales.
Akureyri, Iceland
Iceland’s northern capital offers access to Eyjafjörður, a deep fjord system that attracts humpback whales throughout the summer feeding season. The mountainous fjord setting creates a more intimate whale watching experience than the open ocean, with whales often feeding close to steep shorelines.
The town’s whale museum provides perfect context before heading out on the water.
Warrnambool, Australia
Every winter, southern right whales arrive at Logan’s Beach near this Victorian coastal city to calve in the protected waters. The purpose-built viewing platform allows visitors to observe mothers with newborn calves from a respectful distance without disturbing them.
It’s one of the few places where you’re virtually guaranteed to see baby whales.
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Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
The waters off Ireland’s southwestern coast support a year-round population of bottlenose dolphins, harbor porpoises, and seasonal visits from minke whales and fin whales. The dramatic coastline of the Dingle Peninsula provides stunning backdrops for whale encounters, with ancient stone forts and emerald cliffs framing every sighting.
Local boats operate from the colorful fishing port of Dingle town.
Where Giants Still Roam Free
These hidden whale watching destinations prove that some of nature’s greatest spectacles still happen away from the crowds and tour buses. While mainstream spots certainly have their place, there’s something magical about sharing the ocean with whales in areas where tourism hasn’t yet discovered their secrets.
The next time wanderlust strikes, consider trading the guidebook favorites for one of these lesser-known havens where whales still rule their ancient domains undisturbed.
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