Whale Watching · GUIDED

The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours with a Guide

29 tours  ·  from $30 a head

The good whale watching tours with a Guide fill up weeks ahead in season and the best ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide - Setting out on the traditional oak ship
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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

1.Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,761 reviews · 3 hours · from $115Our pick

Join North Sailing for a three-hour whale-watching cruise from Húsavík aboard a traditional oak boat. An English-speaking guide such as Laura, Sophie, Alice, or Christian explains whale behavior as you search Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, puffins, and other seabirds. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun are included.

“We booked the tour from Húsavík and the day before the tour we got an email that the weather conditions aren't good. But we could reschedule our tour to Árskógssandur without any issue. The customer service was great. The tour guide was also great and we were able to see a whale even though it wasn't the best season to go whale watching. The humpback whale didn't have a name yet and my girlfriend got to name him because she came up with a funny name - Forest Hump. Overall I would highly recommend this tour!”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide - What the 2 to 3 hour cruise feels like
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

2.Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,422 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $87

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay aboard Andrea, Iceland’s largest whale-watching ship. An English-speaking guide helps you spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sometimes orcas. Choose the roomy Classic cruise or the faster summer Express boat, with a free return ticket if wildlife stays hidden.

“Ania was an excellent guide. She was determined for us to see the Northern Lights, unfortunately they did not come out for us. Ania was very knowledgeable about the tour and you could tell she was unhappy that we didn’t get a chance to see them, but we do have a voucher that is good for two years if we come back.”

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Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik - What the guides add to the ride
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Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik

3.Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 744 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $97

Leave Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a 3.5-hour search through Faxaflói Bay, where humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and summer puffins may appear. Guides such as Patrick and Joe add lively commentary, while heated cabins, warm flotation suits, WiFi, and a no-sighting return ticket make this a practical choice.

“Do not see many whales Ramp on and off boat very slippery Wife fell and no one came to assist her No help at office except gave her a packet of Tylenol”

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Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik - What you may see in Faxaflói Bay
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Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik

4.Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 651 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $86

Meet at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor for a 2.5-hour express ride or a 3.5-hour cruise into Faxaflói Bay. Your naturalist guide helps you spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Thermal coveralls, heated indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and a second-chance ticket are included.

“Only one side of the boat could consistently see the animals because they kept turning the boat toward it rather than letting the animals pass on the sides.”

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2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls - Setting out from Bay Bulls at 11:30 a.m.
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2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

5.2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

From Bay Bulls, your captain and naturalist guide cruise the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve for two hours, pointing out puffins, murres, petrels, dolphins, and whales. Expect local songs, clear wildlife commentary, and the optional chance to be screeched in. Bring warm clothes.

“We were accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, Noah, who even sang folk songs. We were blessed to have a sunny day. Too early for whales or Icebergs but just being on the water and observing seabirds in their natural habitat was well worth it!”

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Monterey: Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide - The first run across Monterey Bay
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Monterey: Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide

6.Monterey: Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 519 reviews · 3 hours · from $75

Join Discovery Whale Watch at Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf for a three-hour sunset cruise led by a marine biologist or naturalist. Guides such as Isaiah, Andrew, and Kevin explain whale behavior, migration, and conservation while the crew searches for humpbacks, dolphins, sea lions, otters, and more.

“The most incredible trip ever. Surrounded by whales! Super friendly and helpful team, we booked and got delayed so they moved our trip back a day for us. 10/10”

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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour - Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales
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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

7.Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 444 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

From Húsavík, you spend about 3.5 hours on a traditional oak boat in Skjálfandi Bay, looking for whales, dolphins, and puffins. English-speaking guides, warm overalls, hot chocolate, and cinnamon buns are included. Guides such as Jess and Chris have brought marine science and years of whale-watching experience to past trips.

“We very much enjoyed our puffin and whale watching trip. The crew took safety seriously and explained the boat and what to do if there was a problem. The guide was very informative and this kept us interested in the gaps between wildlife sightings. We were lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins and three humpback whales.”

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Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide - Choosing between the Princess Monterey and Atlantis Monterey
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Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

8.Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 348 reviews · 2h 30m · from $70

Cruise Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary for 150 minutes aboard the Princess Monterey or Atlantis Monterey. A marine guide explains whale behavior, dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds while you watch from heated cabins, large windows, or the 360-degree outdoor deck. Food and drinks are available onboard.

“A nice trip out in to the ocean, great tour guide and crew. Good view of the wildlife, but after an hour of seeing the occasional whale it became a bit dull and everyone was waiting to go back. Would be better with a glass bottomed boat maybe. Also we were quite far from the whales for most of the time so you need a good zoom lens to get some good shots. Worth the trip”

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Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach - What the catamaran feels like at sea
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Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

9.Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 335 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Join Harbor Breeze Cruises at Long Beach’s Aquarium Way for a 2 to 2.5-hour whale watching cruise. Naturalists and seasoned captains point out whales, dolphins, sea lions, birds, the Queen Mary, and port sights from a stable catamaran. Guide Zack has earned praise for his friendly explanations.

“Very cold and can get sea sick easy. The people running the ship were very good and tried to find whales for us. We did ot see any yet did see dolphins and seals.”

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Roseau: Guided Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour With Drinks - Meeting in Roseau and heading offshore
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Roseau: Guided Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour With Drinks

10.Roseau: Guided Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour With Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 307 reviews · 3 hours · from $106

Set out from Roseau with a marine naturalist and captain such as Jeff, Beans, Michael, or Dwayne to search Dominica’s sperm whale sanctuary. Expect a three-hour trip on a small, open boat, bottled drinks, a hydrophone, ocean spray, and the chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild.

“Despite the boat ride being a bit bumpy as it was a windy day, our guide was great, knowledgable and did a great job at spotting the whales, explaining their behaviour and leading us close to them when they were about to jump. We saw about 6 sperm whales. A highly recommended experience.”

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Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide - A fast boat built for wildlife watching
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Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

11.Vancouver, BC: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 270 reviews · 5 hours · from $152

Cruise from Steveston through the Gulf Islands and Strait of Georgia with a naturalist guide such as James or Kai. Look for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles aboard a fast viewing vessel, with windbreakers, water, snacks, and a whale-sighting guarantee included.

“It was amazing. Got to see the whales and they even stayed longer so we could get the full experience. Great guiding and narrative. Highly recommend.”

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Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight with Guided Commentary - At Kaikōura Airport, the trip starts with a useful briefing
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Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight with Guided Commentary

12.Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight with Guided Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · 30 min · from $164

From Kaikōura Airport, fly above the coast in a small six-seat aircraft with live commentary from pilots such as Sam, Jo, Alexis, or Joanne. Look for resident sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and seasonal species while enjoying clear views of the peninsula and mountains from your guaranteed window seat.

“Absolutely amazing experience, our pilot Sam was great and very knowledgeable !! We've seen a Sperm Whales and we had the best time. Definitely recommend”

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Fuerteventura: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Guide - What the five-hour boat trip feels like
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Fuerteventura: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Guide

13.Fuerteventura: Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 206 reviews · 5 hours · from $88

Join Barracuda Perdomo for a five-hour catamaran trip from Fuerteventura toward Lanzarote. Guides such as Valentina, Rafael, Melissa, and Carlos share local marine knowledge while you search for dolphins and pilot whales, enjoy drinks and paella, and stop near Lobos Island for swimming or snorkeling.

“we were extreme lucky and had whale contact Almoust continouisly. We could observe them in their full glory in distances between 7 to 10 meters regurlarly. It was an amazing experience. Best regards to Valentina and the Captain.”

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Sesimbra: Dolphin and Whales Watching with Biologist Guide - Searching the open water for dolphins
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Sesimbra: Dolphin and Whales Watching with Biologist Guide

14.Sesimbra: Dolphin and Whales Watching with Biologist Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 197 reviews · 3 hours · from $64

Join Bolhas Tours in Sesimbra for a three-hour wildlife cruise led by marine biologists such as Rosa, Pedro, or Darcy. Search for dolphins and seasonal whales, learn about cetaceans, then stop at Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach for swimming, snorkeling, and Moscatel wine.

“Amazing that you just can go out to the ocean and find this wonderful delphines!”

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Juneau: Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide - The narrated ride from town to the harbor
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Juneau: Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide

15.Juneau: Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 174 reviews · 3h 30m · from $177

Meet Alaska Tales beside Juneau’s Mt. Roberts Tramway, ride by narrated bus to the harbor, then search protected waters for humpbacks and other wildlife aboard a heated boat. Guides such as Taylor, Monica, Kristen, and Captain Larry have helped make sightings both exciting and informative.

“This was an amazing trip. Our guides, boat captain, and driver were knowledgeable, approachable, funny. The whales really played their part! This is a not to miss activity.”

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