Whale Watching · HUMPBACK WHALE TOURS

The 15 Best Humpback Whale Tours

37 tours  ·  from $6 a head

Humpbacks breach, sing and bubble-net, which is why they carry most of the industry. The 15 below follow them from Hawaii and Baja in winter to Alaska and Australia in summer, priced by season and coast.

Humpback Whales in Cabo San Lucas - Meeting the boat near Cabo San Lucas Marina
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Humpback Whales in Cabo San Lucas

1.Humpback Whales in Cabo San Lucas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,005 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Join Cabo Trek for a 2.5-hour whale-watching trip from central Cabo San Lucas. A marine biologist such as Andrea, Vanu, Maria, or Vanusa explains the whales and local sea life while your captain searches for breaches, calves, dolphins, and marlin. The boat also visits El Arco and its sea lion colony.

“Andrea and Freddy were a good team. We had a wonderful experience and were fortunate to have cooperative whales up close…even darting under the boat at times. It was a rather long boat ride to find the whales but well worth it. I would definitely book with this company again.”

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Swim with humpback whales - The boat ride from the lagoon to open water
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Swim with humpback whales

2.Swim with humpback whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · from $264

Set out from Moorea at 8:30 am with Corallina Tours for three to four hours on the lagoon and open ocean. Guides such as Francesca and Tamahere lead whale swims, then take you to rays and black-tip sharks. Snorkel gear and water are included.

“Although we saw whales, it's unfortunate that the whales were constantly moving, so we couldn't swim together with them.”

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Humpback whale watching and marine life in Moorea - Watching whales from the boat
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Humpback whale watching and marine life in Moorea

3.Humpback whale watching and marine life in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $327

Spend about three hours off Moorea seeking humpback whales and other marine life with guides such as O’Neil, Doris, Mata, or Chewy. You may hear whale song, watch mothers and calves, and swim near whales when conditions and wildlife behavior allow. The whale season runs July 20 to November 20.

“Unfortunately we didn't have a good whale watching experience. This tour was supposedly operated by Pacifik Attitude per Viator but instead Moorea Moana Tours showed up. There was a large group of us who got divided into 2 groups anRead more”

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Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle - Dolphins, seals, and the Hunter Coast from the water
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Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle

4.Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · from $89

Join CoastXP at Newcastle Harbour for a two-hour cruise along the Hunter Coast. A guide such as Jane explains whale behavior as you search for humpbacks, dolphins, and seals from a small eco-tourism boat. Wet-weather jackets, photos, and a same-season return promise if no whale appears are included.

“Jane was superb, the whole experience excellent. We really had to look hard to see any whales, but in the end we did and it was magical.”

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Hervey Bay: Humpback Whale-Watching Half-Day Cruise - Five decks, three levels, and fewer bad viewing spots
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Hervey Bay: Humpback Whale-Watching Half-Day Cruise

5.Hervey Bay: Humpback Whale-Watching Half-Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 153 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $84

You’ll cruise Hervey Bay aboard Quick Cat II, a purpose-built catamaran with five viewing decks, open 360-degree sightlines, live English commentary, and a hydrophone for whale song. Look for humpbacks near Fraser Island, with a possible swim option subject to conditions, fees, and availability.

“We had an incredible day out. We were promised Whales and we got them . All crew members were friendly and interacting with you the whole day they feeding us with knowledge about these beautiful Mammals. Well done guys. Its worth it!!!”

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Noosa Whale Watching Cruise – Humpback Whale Adventure - Dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays
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Noosa Whale Watching Cruise – Humpback Whale Adventure

6.Noosa Whale Watching Cruise – Humpback Whale Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · from $71

Set out from Noosa Marina with a skipper such as Christian or Mike for a two-hour cruise along the river, past Noosa National Park, and into open water. The small boat can make the ride lively, while binoculars, raincoats, and action goggles help you watch for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life.

“Great fun, bit choppy though, so a bit hard to spot the whales. Saw whales, sharks and dolphins. Well worth it.”

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Private tour observing and swimming with humpback whales in Moorea - Rays, sharks, turtles, and the two bays
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Private tour observing and swimming with humpback whales in Moorea

7.Private tour observing and swimming with humpback whales in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · from $1,640

Spend four hours aboard Mana’hau with guides such as Nicky, Fabien, Lolo, or Lingee, seeking humpback whales from July to November. Swim or snorkel with marine life, visit Moorea’s bays, and try the towed subwin board on a private trip for up to eight people.

“Such a wonderful experience with our guide, Nicki, and her father! Knowledgeable and personable, they geared the trip to our needs and wants. We never felt rushed as we snorkeled with stingrays, sharks, and turtles. And you cannot beat the scenery!”

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Swim with Humpback Whales - Ningaloo Reef - 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive - Leaving Exmouth for an eight-hour day
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Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

8.Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $430

Spend about eight hours with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive at Ningaloo Reef, using a spotter plane to locate humpbacks and other wildlife. Crew members including Sarah, Mel, Amy, Nos, and pilot Tif provide gear, meals, safety help, photography, and guided snorkel time.

“Excellent crew, great lunch and Awesome experience. With a double wamm of snorkelling with a whale shatk”

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Humpback Whale Safari - Watching whales from the boat
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Humpback Whale Safari

9.Humpback Whale Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $466

Join Coral Bay Ecotours for an eight-hour Ningaloo Reef whale safari from Coral Bay. Between June and October, you may watch migrating humpbacks from the boat or enter the water when conditions and whale behavior allow. Lunch, snacks, sparkling wine, and a photography package are included.

“We would put down 6 stars if we could! A lot of the tour is up to the animals but the staff/ crew do their best to give you a wonderful experience! The humpbacks were so active on the day we went, so swimming with them was difficult but the crew did their best and wRead more”

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Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in Kona - What happens from check-in to the open water
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Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in Kona

10.Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in Kona

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Cruise Kona’s coast with Dolphin Discoveries for about 2.5 hours of whale and dolphin watching. Naturalist-style narration, a hydrophone, sea caves, Hawaiian history, and small groups make this a personal outing. Humpback season runs from December through April, with guides such as Dennis, Bryce, Raj, and Shelley leading recent trips.

“Oh my goodness was this amazing. We had whales breeching all around us. It was incredible. Dennis and Bryce were awesome. Very knowledgeable with awesome whale facts. I truly cannot believe how many whales we saw.”

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Deluxe Mega Fauna Humpback or Whaleshark Swim Ningaloo Reef - The Ningaloo Reef stop and the search for mega fauna
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Deluxe Mega Fauna Humpback or Whaleshark Swim Ningaloo Reef

11.Deluxe Mega Fauna Humpback or Whaleshark Swim Ningaloo Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · from $430

Set out from Exmouth at 7:00 a.m. for a full day at Ningaloo Reef. A small group of up to 14 people may swim with whale sharks, humpback whales, or manta rays, depending on conditions and animal behavior. Captain Geoff, Mat, Tash, and Joss lead the day, with gear, lunch, drinks, and some hotel transfers included.

“Such a wonderful day out. Very friendly staff and easy to follow instructions. Got to swim with a beautiful whale shark. Worth every penny.”

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Bahía Málaga: Humpback Whale Watching in Cali - Colombia - Buenaventura’s Malecón gives you a practical pause
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Bahía Málaga: Humpback Whale Watching in Cali – Colombia

12.Bahía Málaga: Humpback Whale Watching in Cali – Colombia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 18 hours (approx.) · from $459

Leave Cali at 4:30 am for Buenaventura and continue by boat to Juanchaco in Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park. You’ll eat local seafood, learn about Pacific culture, and search for humpback whales with a bilingual guide and local whale-watching specialist.

“Unfortunately, the trip is not worth 500 euros by a long shot. Maybe 500.000 COP. The boat trip is done with normal means of transport like all other tourists. We saw many whales, but the trip is not suitable for professional photography. The guide and driver were nice people. It is better to book the trip in the country itself. Unfortunately, it is a complete rip-off.”

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Swim in Moorea with Humpback Whales and More - The four-hour outing from pickup to open water
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Swim in Moorea with Humpback Whales and More

13.Swim in Moorea with Humpback Whales and More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $412

Join Robert and Mareva for a four-hour Moorea boat trip during humpback season. Watch whales, dolphins, and oceanic sharks, then enter the water only when the onboard biologist considers conditions safe and respectful. Pickup, wetsuits, snorkeling gear, fruit, snacks, and drinks are included.

“Incredible experience with Robert and Mareva. Mareva is very experienced and we had an exceptional show, it was a dream for us. Thanks to them, I highly recommend.Auto-translated”

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Newcastle: Small Group Humpback Whale Encounter Tour - Searching for humpback whales from June to November
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Newcastle: Small Group Humpback Whale Encounter Tour

14.Newcastle: Small Group Humpback Whale Encounter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Join CoastXP at Newcastle’s Honeysuckle Foreshore for a two-hour whale watch on a small vessel carrying up to 20 people. Guides such as Dom, Jane, Glen, and Dominic share whale facts and coastline stories while you look for humpbacks, dolphins, and fur seals. Warm jackets are supplied.

“We were very lucky with both the weather and very active whales and dolphins. The trip was very relaxed, and the guide was very good and friendly. Great to get sent some pictures from the trip afterwards (were a lot better than what my smartphone-camera could take).”

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Half-Day Humpback Whales Encounter in Moorea - The safety briefing sets the tone
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Half-Day Humpback Whales Encounter in Moorea

15.Half-Day Humpback Whales Encounter in Moorea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $236

Join captain Tamatoa and a certified crew for a four-hour humpback whale trip from Coco Beach Restaurant in Moorea. After a safety briefing, you’ll search the coast by boat and may enter the water in small groups when conditions are safe. Swimming is optional.

“Wonderful experience. Very friendly and professional crew. We felt safe and comfortable throughout the whole cruise. Highly recommended service! We were very lucky to see a baby humpback from very close distance multiple times. Surpassed our expectations by far 😁”

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New in Humpback Whale Tours

★ 5.0Humpback Whale Swim from Tongatapu island with transfers & lunchFrom $5092 reviews
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★ 5.0Humpback Whale Watching • Private Tour • Punta Mita6 reviews
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★ 5.0Los Cabos Humpback Whale: 10-Hour Tour 3 Hours of Whale WatchingFrom $2992 reviews
★ 4.5Private Humpback Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas8 reviews
★ 4.5Cabo San Lucas Humpback Whale Watching TourFrom $994 reviews
★ 5.0Royal Humpback Whale ExplorationFrom $1799 reviews
★ 5.0Seasonal Small-Group Humpback Whale Watching in KonaFrom $1307 reviews
★ 5.0Swim with Humpback Whales: Sunshine CoastFrom $1844 reviews
★ 5.0Puerto Vallarta: Humpback Whale Research Adventure TourFrom $13413 reviews
★ 3.9Whale Watching Cruise in Waikiki Oahu – SEE THE HUMPBACKS!From $806 reviews
★ 5.0Kailua-Kona: Pacific Humpback Whale Watch ExcursionFrom $1304 reviews

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