6 places to spot humpback whales

Humpback whales are one of the largest and friendliest animals you can encounter in the water. With their impressive jumps, curious nature and often calm presence, they leave an unforgettable impression on any diver or snorkeler.

Humpback whales are impressive giants of the ocean: adults can grow 12 to 16 meters long and weigh between 25 and 40 tons. Despite their enormous size, they are not at all dangerous to humans. They feed mainly on plankton and small fish, and their curious and friendly nature often makes encounters with them unforgettable. Their spectacular jumps, deep singing underwater and social behavior make humpback whales one of the most fascinating whales in the world.

Every year, these giants of the ocean travel enormous distances during their migration, coming close to shore in several places around the world. At some of these destinations, you even get the unique chance to see them up close, and sometimes even enter the water with them.

In this blog, we take you to six special places where you can spot humpback whales and, under the right conditions, snorkel with them.

1. Vava'u, Tonga, Oceania

Period: late July to October
Expeditions: swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales

In winter, humpback whales migrate to Tonga to mate and give birth. The warm, shallow waters of Tonga provide a safe environment for this. Far from the cold Antarctic, where they spend the summer. This is a journey of about 6,000 kilometers, but it is quite normal for whales to travel long distances.

What is quite unique about Tonga is that here it is allowed to snorkel and swim with the whales. Of course, there are rules, because the behavior of the whales should not be disturbed. In the right season, boats go out into the water almost daily in search of the whales. In the water you can not only see them, but also hear them! In fact, it is often the case that you can still hear the whales even though they are no longer around.

2. French Polynesia, Oceania

Period: July to October
Expeditions: snorkeling with humpback whales

In winter, humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of French Polynesia to mate and give birth to their calves. They come particularly close to the coast around islands such as Moorea and Tahiti, where the water is calm and clear. After spending months in the nutrient-rich but cold waters of Antarctica, they travel thousands of kilometers to spend time here in peace.

French Polynesia is one of the places where you can respectfully snorkel with humpback whales. With a guide, you will enter the water and have a chance to see mother and calf up close. The clear water often provides good visibility, making the encounters extra special. Besides seeing the whales, it is also a unique experience to hear their singing underwater.

3. Marino Ballena National Park, Costa Rica

Period: July to October and December to April
Expeditions: whale watching

Marino Ballena National Park is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see humpback whales. What makes this destination special is that two different populations of humpback whales pass through: one from the northern hemisphere and one from the southern hemisphere. As a result, the season here is relatively long.

The whales come to these warm waters to mate and calve. During boat trips, you often have a good view of their leaps and flukes. Snorkeling with humpback whales is less common here than in some other destinations, but the chances of seeing them up close on the surface are high.

4. Tromsø, Norway

Period: November to January
Expeditions: snorkeling with orcas (high chance of humpback whales)

In northern Norway, around Tromsø, large schools of herring gather in winter. This attracts predators, including orcas as well as humpback whales. The whales here sometimes work together to herd the herring together, which makes for spectacular scenes.

Although the focus of these expeditions is often on orcas, chances are you will also encounter humpback whales. You’ll enter the water here to snorkel with the orcas, but it’s common for humpback whales to surface nearby. The combination of snow-capped mountains, low winter light and active whales makes this a very special experience.

5. Mozambique

Period: June to October
Expeditions: snorkeling with humpback whales

Off the coast of Mozambique, at Tofo, humpback whales pass annually during their migration. They move relatively close to the coast here, making encounters likely. As in other places, they seek out these warmer waters to mate and raise their young.

In Tofo, trips are regularly organized where you go in search of the whales. The sea here can sometimes be a bit rougher than on tropical islands, but that doesn’t make the experience any less impressive. Seeing a humpback whale in the wild, combined with the rugged African coastline, makes for an adventurous setting.

In the Bazaruto Archipelago humpback whales migrate past the archipelago during their annual migration. The combination of warm waters, vast sandbanks and calm lagoons makes this a fine place for whales to spend some time.

From the boat you often have a good view of the whales, which regularly surface. In exceptional cases it is possible to enter the water and observe them while snorkeling, always respecting the animals. However, this does not happen very often. Its remote location and clear waters make Bazaruto a special and more exclusive place to see humpback whales.

6. Nosy Be, Madagascar

Period: July to October
Expeditions: snorkeling with humpback whales

Around the island Nosy Be, off the northwest coast of Madagascar, humpback whales gather during the winter months to mate and calve. The sheltered waters between the islands offer a calm environment, so chances are good that you can see them up close here.

During boat trips you will look for the whales and, if conditions allow, you can enter the water to snorkel with them. Encounters with mother and calf are particularly impressive, as they often stay in the same area for long periods of time.

The warm waters, relatively calm sea and the chance of intimate encounters make Nosy Be an accessible and special destination to experience humpback whales.