From Sri Lanka to Antarctica, we’ve seen whales in some of the most epic spots on Earth. We share our top picks, travel tips, and a few hilarious whale-watching mishaps…
If there’s one thing Stefan and I love more than eating our way through a country (and let’s be real, that’s a high bar), it’s spotting whales in the wild.
There’s just something magical about seeing these gentle giants up close, whether it’s a blue whale gliding past our boat in Sri Lanka, a humpback breaching dramatically in Vancouver, or an orca giving us major side-eye in Iceland. And don’t even get me started on Antarctica… picture us, two excited gay penguins, bundled up in ten layers, watching massive whales glide through icy blue waters. Absolute bucket-list material!
Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to experience some of the world’s best whale-watching spots, and trust us, not all are created equal. Some require patience, others require seasickness pills (seriously, learn from our mistakes!), and a few will leave you absolutely speechless.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of seeing whales in their natural habitat, and maybe even making awkward eye contact with one, these are some of the best places in the world for whale watching that we've been to.
Advice for LGBTQ travelers
Most of the destinations we've mentioned in this article are very gay friendly, in particular, Iceland, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand, Portugal, and even Antarctica – trust us, the local penguins don't give two hoots about two blokes holding hands!
However, there are a few places on this list where LGBTQ rights are not as progressive, least of all Sri Lanka, which continues to hold on to its anti-gay law. We've put relevant links within the text to further blog posts for more information on each destination for LGBTQ travelers.
Heads up: We just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links. That means if you book something through one of those links, we'll get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep our blog going – so thank you in advance for your support! ♥
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#1 Mirissa in Sri Lanka
Our whale-watching adventure in Mirissa started with an ungodly early wake-up call and a hefty dose of seasickness. But within an hour of setting sail, the payoff was spectacular. A massive blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, gracefully gliding through the water. I swear it blinked at us, as if to say, “Welcome to my ocean, boys.” Stefan, in full David Attenborough mode, was narrating every move, while I was just trying to keep my breakfast down. Definitely worth it!
Unfortunately, many of the cheaper tour companies in Mirissa don’t follow ethical guidelines, often getting too close to the whales and causing them stress. That’s why we strongly recommend booking with a company that prioritizes responsible whale watching. During our research, one name kept coming up across all the travel blogs: Raja and the Whales. They have a strong reputation for putting ethics first, ensuring the experience is both unforgettable and respectful to marine life.
Following on from our Heads Up box for LGBTQ+ travelers at the start of this article, we invite you to read our gay guide to Sri Lanka – remember this is a country that has an anti gay law so you do need to exercise some caution when visiting.
Types of whales you’ll see in Mirissa:
Mostly blue whales, plus sperm whales and the occasional playful pod of dolphins.
Best time of year to visit:
From November to April, when blue whales migrate through these warm waters.
#2 Peninsula Valdez in Argentina
Peninsula Valdés is located in Patagonia in Argentina. It was the first place we saw a southern right whale this close…and by “this close”, I mean it popped up right next to our boat like an oversized puppy looking for attention. We gasped, it flapped its tail, and I’m convinced it was flirting with Stefan.
These waters are a whale nursery, so we saw mothers with calves, which made it even more special (and yes, I cried). Pro tip: pack extra memory cards. You’ll need them.
Peninsula Valdes is also one of the best spots in the world to see killer whales (orcas). Don’t worry we’ve got your back with our detailed guide to spotting orcas in Peninsula Valdes and for recommendations, we suggest checking out some of these Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours in Peninsula Valdes.
Types of whales you’ll see in Peninsula Valdes:
Southern right whales, which come here to breed and raise their calves. Orcas can also be spotted throughout the year.
Best time of year to visit:
Between June and December, when mother and calf southern right whales fill the bays. Orcas can be spotted all year round. They can be seen breaching in March and April and guaranteed sightings between August and October.
#3 Húsavík in Iceland
Húsavík is basically the Beyoncé of whale-watching destinations: it’s got the reputation, the drama, and the guaranteed showstopping performances.
Bundled up in layers that made us look like inflatable marshmallows, we set out on a traditional oak boat and within minutes, a humpback breached right in front of us. I nearly dropped the camera, while Stefan declared it the best day of his life (rude, considering I was there too).
Bonus: the backdrop of snowcapped mountains makes the experience even dreamier. Read more in our bumper gay guide to Iceland and check out some of these nifty Husavik whale watching tours and experiences.
Types of whales you’ll see in Husavik:
Humpbacks, minke whales, and if you're really lucky, the elusive blue whale.
Best time of year to visit:
From April to October, with peak sightings in summer (June to August).
#4 Antarctic Peninsula in Antarctica
Antarctica is next-level whale watching. It’s remote, surreal, and basically the closest we’ll ever get to feeling like explorers.
Picture this: floating past towering icebergs, penguins waddling nearby, and then suddenly, a massive humpback pops up next to our zodiac. Silence. Just us and this breathtaking creature in the middle of an icy paradise. Stefan was so in awe he actually stopped talking for a full minute (record-breaking).
We wrote all about our gay cruise in Antarctica which will give you the full low down on everything you need to know.
Types of whales you’ll see in Antarctica:
Humpbacks, minke whales, and orcas, all feasting in these krill-rich waters.
Best time of year to visit:
Between December and March, during the Antarctic summer when the whales migrate south.
#5 Vancouver Island in Canada
Vancouver Island is where we met the sassiest orcas ever. Seriously, one swam right past us, rolled onto its side, and gave us what I can only describe as judgmental whale side-eye.
Between the orcas, humpbacks, and the stunning Pacific Northwest scenery, this is a dream destination. Plus, after a long day on the water, there’s no better way to warm up than with a hot toddy in a cozy seaside café.
You’ll no doubt want to hit up our detailed gay guide to Vancouver and Vancouver Island and check out these dolphin and whale watching tours in Vancouver.
Types of whales you’ll see in Vancouver Island:
Resident and transient orcas, humpbacks, and gray whales during migration season.
Best time of year to visit:
Orcas are best seen from May to October, while gray whales migrate through in March and April.
#6 Cape Town in South Africa
Cape Town is where whale-watching comes with table service…Table Mountain, that is 😊
Watching southern right whales from the cliffs of Hermanus was an experience in itself, but taking a boat trip was even better. These gentle giants love showing off, rolling and tail-slapping like they’re auditioning for Whale’s Got Talent. One came so close I half-expected it to ask for a selfie.
Our Cape Town gay travel guide has got your back for all the local lowdown and Hermanus Whale Watching Tours is where it’s at in the city.
Types of whales you’ll see in Cape Town:
Mostly southern right whales, but also humpbacks and Bryde’s whales.
Best time of year to visit:
From June to November, when the whales come to breed.
#7 Kaikoura in New Zealand
If whales had a VIP lounge, Kaikoura would be it. With its deep ocean trench just off the coast, it’s basically an all-you-can-eat buffet for sperm whales.
Our Kaikoura whale watching tour started with a friendly ‘Kia ora!’ and ended with us watching a massive sperm whale dive, its tail disappearing dramatically into the deep like some Hollywood finale.
Bonus: the town itself is charming and has some epic seafood. More about it all in our New Zealand gay travel guide.
Types of whales you’ll see in Kaikoura:
Mostly sperm whales, but also humpbacks, orcas, and blue whales on occasion.
Best time of year to visit:
Year-round, but for the best variety, visit between June and August.
#8 Baja California in Mexico
Baja is the hands-down winner for close encounters. The gray whales here don’t just tolerate humans, they actively seek us out. We had a mother and calf swim right up to our boat, and the baby was so curious it let us touch it (cue me sobbing with joy). It’s an unforgettable experience, and trust me, you’ll never look at whales the same way again.
The most popular places in Baja California for whale watching include Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Types of whales you’ll see in Baja California:
Gray whales, humpbacks, and even blue whales in deeper waters.
Best time of year to visit:
From January to April, when gray whales migrate to these lagoons to give birth.
#9 Alaska in the US
Whale-watching in Alaska feels like stepping into a National Geographic documentary: towering glaciers, rugged coastlines, and so many whales.
We watched a pod of humpbacks bubble-net feeding (which, in whale terms, is basically team strategy at an all-you-can-eat buffet). Add bald eagles and sea otters, and this was nature overload in the best way possible.
The best whale watching tours in Alaska set off from Seward, Juneau, Valdez, Sitka, and Hoonah.
Types of whales you’ll see in Alaska:
Mostly humpbacks, plus orcas and gray whales during migration.
Best time of year to visit:
From May to September, when humpbacks and orcas are most active.
#10 Azores in Portugal
The Azores are basically Europe’s secret whale-watching paradise. We hopped on a speedy zodiac and within minutes, a sperm whale spy-hopped (a.k.a. stuck its head out of the water like it was nosy about us). I waved. It didn’t wave back. Rude.
But seriously, these volcanic islands are stunning, and the marine life is next level. The best whale watching tours in the Azores take place from Ponta Delgada, Rabo de Peixe, and Villa Franca do Campo – all on San Miguel island. Other islands with popular whale watching companies include Pico Island, Terceira, and Horta.
Types of whales you’ll see in The Azores:
Sperm whales year-round, with blue and fin whales passing through in spring.
Best time of year to visit:
Between April and October, with peak sightings in May and June.
Read more travel adventures like this in our book!
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For more inspiration:
- Check out our gay guide to Iceland's capital city Reykjavik
- As well as our guide to the highlights of visiting the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina
- If you're heading to Sri Lanka to see whales then don't miss our gay guide to the capital city Colombo
- Along with our gay guide to Negombo, another gorgeous city in Sri Lanka
- And our gay guide to Lisbon if you're looking to see more of Portugal before or after exploring the Azores!