Whale watching

Whale watching is a captivating activity where travellers have the chance to observe cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in their natural habitat. 

It has become such an essential part of expedition and small-ship adventure cruises for two reasons. The first is the opportunity to have up-close experiences with these magnificent creatures in remote environments like the Arctic, Antarctic and various coastal waters such as Baja California.

Humans also connect with cetaceans due to their intelligence, social behaviours, and complex emotions, which can resonate with us deeper than other connections we make with wildlife. Read our original story, 'A Whale of a Time', by renowned ocean writer Melissa Hobson, for more on this topic. 

Observing their social interactions and communication in the wild can invoke a sense of kinship, fostering a desire to understand and protect these sentient beings and their habitats. This connection inspires conservation efforts and a greater appreciation for the oceans and the diverse life they support. 

One such example is the Citizen Science project, Happywhale. Happywhale leverages ecotourism for scientific research. It enables travellers on expedition ships to become citizen scientists by submitting whale photos from their travels via a mobile phone app. This data contributes to a global understanding of whale movements, helping with conservation efforts. For more information, visit Happywhale.

Whale Watching allows travellers to witness these giants of the ocean in their natural settings alongside expert guides, making it a highlight for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. You may experience Whale Watching from a Zodiac Tour or the ship’s deck, where experts will offer education about whale behaviour, conservation, and the ecosystem. The experience of seeing whales breach, spout, and interact in the wild is both thrilling and memorable, making it a highlight for many travellers.

One of the ExplorEarth team, Karen Hollands, recently embarked on a Weddell Sea cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina and spotted three whales within 30 minutes of leaving port.