Whale Watching
Below you will find details of some of the Whales you can see on our Whale watching holidays, and where to see them. Including Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Killer Whales (Orcas), Pacific Grey Whales, Pilot Whales, Fin Whales, Southern Right Whales, and the Blue Whale.
Humpback Whales
The Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often seen breaching the water. In December to January Humpback Whales can be seen along the coastline of the Corcovado National Park in southern Costa Rica. In the summer months, a population of humpback Whales appear in the Straits of Magellan. Chile's first and only marine reserve, Francisco Coloane Marine Park, holds a summer population of Humpback Whales . Between June and September it is peak Whale-watching season in Machalilla, Ecuador. It's estimated that some 300 Humpback Whales pass through the area on migration. Humpback Whales can be seen in June along the coast of Ecuador to the Galapagos. June to August are exceptional months for sighting humpback Whales on Princess Royal Island is just off the coast of British Columbia. Sperm Whales
The Sperm Whale, (Physeter macrocephalus), has a large head that can be up to one-third of the animal's length. A bull sperm Whale can grow up to 20.5 metres (67 ft) long - the largest living toothed animal. During December and January Sperm Whales can be seen along the coastline of the Corcovado National Park in southern Costa Rica. Killer Whales (Orcas)
The Killer Whale or Orca (Orcinus Orca) is the largest species of the dolphin family, though they are commonly mistaken as a species of Whale. Visit the best, wildest places of coastal British Columbia. Princess Royal Island is just off the coast of British Columbia, a truly amazing wilderness location in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. In the summer months the wildlife is prolific here. June to August are exceptional months for sighting Humpback Whales and Orcas. Western Canada's Pacific north-west, a select few travellers are afforded the incomparable thrill of close encounters with some of North America's most impressive creatures -massive brown bears, soaring bald eagles and large pods of Killer Whales. July to October are the best months to have close encounters with Killer Whales (Orcas). Telegraph Cove and Quadra Island are famous for their healthy population of Orcas, where these most awesome creatures congregate in the summer months. Telegraph Cove is located at the northern end of Vancouver Island, and Whale-watching excursions can be arranged in the Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits. Just a short ferry ride away is remote Quadra Island, one of the wildest and most beautiful of the Northern Gulf Islands. The islands provide a scenic backdrop for watching resident KillerWhales in the sea. Pacific Grey WhalesThe Grey (or Gray) Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) travels between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. The Grey Whale is a dark slate-grey in color and covered by characteristic grey-white patterns (scars left by parasites). On maturity, a grey Whale can reach a maximum weight of 40 tons. A number of grey Whales that spend their summer off the plankton-rich shores of Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island. Pilot Whales
Pilot Whales (Globicephala melas) are jet black or a very dark grey color. The dorsal fin is set forward on the back and sweeps back. The body is elongated but stocky and narrows abruptly toward the tail fin. The coastline of Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica has Pilot Whales present throughout the year. Fin WhalesThe Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Fin Whales are the second largest animal on the planet after the Blue Whale. Fin Whales can be found in Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Fin Whales may be seen the waters of the Azores. In Europe, they are found in the beautiful Ligurian Sea, which we visit from a base in Italy. Prime Whale-watching season in Italy begins in May, and continues through until the end of September. The Ligurian Sea is also home to a number of other Whale and dolphin species. Southern Right WhalesIn July, Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) start arriving off the Valdes Peninsula, Argentina in order to mate and calve. They remain until December. Gansbaai, in southern South Africa has become a popular Whale-watching resort, with Southern Right Whale sightings here are excellent between July and November Blue Whales
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The Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest animal ever known to have existed, at up to 32.9 metres (108 ft). It has a long tapering body, the head is flat and U-shaped and has a prominent ridge running from the blowhole to the top of the upper lip. Blue Whales sightings are particularly reliable in Chiloe Island, Chile at the right time of year.