Whale Watching · 1-DAY TOURS

Top 15 One-Day Whale Watching Trips

24 tours  ·  from $6 a head

The 15 best one-day whale watching trips you can book today, with what each costs, how long it stays out and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.

From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip - Baie-Sainte-Catherine and the marine park
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From Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

1.Quebec City: Whale Watching Excursion Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 863 reviews · 11 hours · from $186Our pick

Spend 11 hours traveling from Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine for whale watching in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Choose a large boat or fast Zodiac, hear bilingual commentary, and look for belugas, fin, minke, and humpback whales with guides such as Patricia and Captain Luke.

“Experience of a life time and great value! The operator provided easy instructions and informative dialogue throughout transport to the launch site. It is quite a long bus ride, but the seating was very comfortable. There were many beautiful sights along the way too. The Zodiac excursion was fantastic! We were provided with waterproof pants and jackets, but be prepared to get splashed and wet from the boat ride. It was quite a warm day, but it is much cooler (-10° Celsius) on the water. There is no proper food stop, so be prepared to bring some snacks/beverages. We were lucky enough to have encounters with a family of Belugas,…”

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Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat - Starting above Vancouver Harbour
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Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

2.Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $546

Fly 35 minutes from downtown Vancouver to Victoria, then spend about three hours on the Salish Sea with Orca Spirit Adventures. Guides such as Shannon, Josh, Luke, and Liam share marine-life facts while you search for orcas and humpbacks. Return by seaplane the same day.

“One of the best experiences of my whole life!! The trip from Vancouver to Victoria with the seaplane was awesome!! And the whales watching with Shanon was incredible. We could see humb whales around, and we enjoyed the experience very much. I recomend it to everybody!!!!! Thank you!”

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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise - A 75-minute ferry crossing from Brisbane
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Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise

3.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $109

Take a ferry from Brisbane to Moreton Island, then join a 3-hour whale watching cruise with an Eco Ranger, onboard lunch, and commentary on humpback behavior. You also get resort access, a dolphin presentation, and a complimentary transfer drink, though free time on land is short.

“The trip is very informative and staff are very helpful. Lunch is a bit too light, just salad and a small ham & cheese muffin. We managed to see 7 to 8 whales! We were lucky to have fantastic weather.”

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Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip - Forty-five minutes beside Mendenhall Glacier
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Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip

4.Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 115 reviews · 4h 30m · from $229

Combine a 45-minute visit to Mendenhall Glacier with a two-hour whale-watching cruise from Juneau. Alaska Tales provides an English-speaking naturalist, snacks, water, and a roomy viewing boat. Guides such as Riley, Steph, James, and Olive have helped guests spot humpbacks, orcas, eagles, and sea lions.

“We were very excited since we managed to see some whales 🐋 Well done.”

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Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching - The 35-Minute Flight to Victoria
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Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

5.Vancouver: Day Trip to Victoria Seaplane with Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $520

Take a 35-minute Harbour Air seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria, then join Orca Spirit Adventures for a three-hour whale-watching trip. Look for orcas, humpbacks, seals, and seabirds with guides such as Jeff and Shannon, followed by free time in Victoria and a return flight.

“Couldn’t have asked for a better day, G made sure of it. Highly recommend”

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Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip - El Limón Waterfall rewards effort, but the steps are no joke
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Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

6.Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · from $169

From Punta Cana, take a long day trip to Samaná Bay for humpback whale watching, then ride horseback for 30 minutes through tropical farmland to El Limón Waterfall. Expect about 13 hours total, roughly 10 hours in transport, a 45-person maximum, and moderate physical effort.

“The boat crew and whale watch was fun- although short - once we’d seen a few whales! The guide basically said. That’s good enough . The horse back ride was awful - the hoses are in terrible shape and maltreated - yelled at and hit Read more”

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From Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip - Boarding the speedboat for Samaná Bay
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From Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

7.Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 87 reviews · 12 hours · from $189

Travel from Punta Cana, Bávaro, Uvero Alto, Cap Cana, or Bayahibe to Samaná for humpback whale watching, Cayo Levantado, and El Limon waterfall. A bilingual guide such as Thomas may lead the day. Expect a long outing with boat spray, horseback riding, buffet lunch, and several transfers.

“Pickup from my hotel at 6:30am was smooth, but we spent long stretches waiting and driving between stops before reaching the boat dock. We arrived at the dock at 915am. Breakfast was a ham sandwich and fruit. Whale watching was rough due to choppy water, and we saw very few whales. We spent an hour on Saona Island with pushy photographers. Expect to pay $40–50 USD for photos. Lunch is a mainland buffet with great food, but it’s the last meal. You’re shuttled to the waterfall/“horseback” ride, where attendants repeatedly ask for tips, including $50 for the volunteer and animal. You spend ~30 minutes at the waterfall, then ride back.…”

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Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches - Starting in Brisbane and crossing Moreton Bay
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Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches

8.Stradbroke Island Eco Day Trip from Brisbane – Wildlife & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $136Top rated

Spend about 11 hours exploring North Stradbroke Island with a small group and a guide such as Ivy, Jack, or Anto. You will cross Moreton Bay by ferry, walk the North Gorge, seek koalas and kangaroos, relax at Cylinder Beach, and return by ferry near sunset.

“Wildlife sightings were great and trip was very relaxing. Our guide , Ivy, was very pleasant and helpful .”

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Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town - Shore-based whale watching in Hermanus
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Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

9.Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 29 reviews · from $101

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus for shore-based Southern Right Whale watching, free time in town, and a winery visit. A boat trip costs extra and depends on availability. Guides such as Armoy Olivier and Jean have helped guests find strong viewing spots, while Sundays replace the winery with Stoney Point penguins.

“The tour was amazing and the guide as well but when I booked the tour it said it was with a wine tasting and ticket entry as well and the day of the tour we didn’t do it and the guide was not told that was the tour we booked.”

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From Svolvær: Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes - 7:25 a.m. at Svolvær, an early start with no room for lateness
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From Svolvær: Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes

10.Svolvær: Whale Watching Day Trip to Andenes

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 27 reviews · from $361

Take the Arctic Route bus from Svolvær to Andenes, Norway’s closest whale-watching base for Lofoten. After ferries, coastal roads, and a packed lunch, you’ll join a three-hour RIB boat trip for a chance to see sperm whales, orcas, and dolphins. Bring extra food for the long return ride.

“Because the bus stop had been moved due to work, we were confused about the boarding location in Solvaer... We didn't see the bus and therefore didn't pick it up. We took a taxi to the ferry as quickly as possible... but we were 5 minutes late... Expedition costs gone, taxi costs added, a very big disappointment to process!!!! So sad!!!!”

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Boavista: Whale Watching half day trip - Boarding the Zodiac by Dinghy
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Boavista: Whale Watching half day trip

11.Boavista: Whale Watching half day trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

Ride a Zodiac from Sal Rei into Boa Vista’s whale waters with a local marine biologist and an experienced crew. From February to May, humpback whales visit to mate and give birth. Expect a three-hour outing, hotel pickup, and a real chance of sightings, but no promise of acrobatics.

“We hebben meerdere walvissen gezien en daarnaast het gezang van walvissen gehoord. Heel bijzonder. er werd veel informatie gegeven gedurende de tour.”

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Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip - The journey from Punta Cana takes most of the day
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Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip

12.Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 15 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $150

Leave Punta Cana early for Samaná Bay, spend about 2.5 hours watching humpback whales, then enjoy a Dominican buffet at Bacardí Island. Choose a waterfall ride to Salto El Limón or a safari truck visit to Playa Rincón. Guide Christelle has earned praise for managing several languages with ease.

“The guide Christelle was very professional! I have never seen someone be able to navigate through languages so seamlessly! She knew her information very well and was great at handling things and keeping us all in check and order. She explained things correctly and multiple times to ensure all participants understood. Very impressed by her. The pick up from the hotel was done very well and punctual as well. The boat however was very rocky (the weather conditions weren’t ideal) and so be warned and prepared before going on! It gets wet too so plan accordingly. We were able to see a couple of whales and it was wonderful. The…”

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1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein - Searching for humpback supergroups
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1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

13.1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $331

Meet the Whale Expedition SA crew at Yzerfontein Harbour at 6:30 am for a four-hour search aboard Meganova, a high-performance RIB limited to 10 people. Guides Ash, Jacques, and Eric help you look for humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds, with food, warm drinks, and waterproof gear provided.

“Thanks Jan for introducing and immersing into wild ocean life especially whales!”

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Whale Watching and Bacardi Island day trip from Punta Cana - The early transfer from Punta Cana
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Whale Watching and Bacardi Island day trip from Punta Cana

14.Whale Watching and Bacardi Island day trip from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · from $158

Leave Punta Cana early for a full-day catamaran trip into Samana Bay. A guide helps you spot migrating humpback whales before you continue to Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island, for a buffet lunch, drinks, and two hours on the beach. Nacho may add local island history along the way.

“Pick up from my hotel was seamless (if a little early). The whales were great. The ride there was interesting. Loved lunch and time on the beach. Nacho told us some history of the island. Two recommendations, provide the guides with some information about whales and please don’t introduce politics into the trip.”

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Kaikoura Private Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch - A private ride north from the Novotel at 7:30 am
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Kaikoura Private Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

15.Kaikoura Private Whale Watching Day Trip from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $186

Travel privately from Christchurch to Kaikoura with a guide such as Steve or Dave, then choose whale watching, seal viewing, a river walk, seafood, and extra scenic stops. The whale cruise costs NZ$175 per person beyond the tour price, so plan your budget carefully.

“Kaikōura is a fantastic destination for marine life lovers. Seeing huge whales, cute seals, and playful dolphins and fishing along the shore was an unforgettable experience. It was such a pleasure to visit beautiful Kaikōura and watch its incredibRead more”

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