For many people, the decision to go whale or dolphin watching is about so much more than just another excursion. It’s about fulfilling one of life’s ambitions, ticking off another item on the ‘must do before I die’ list, or finally experiencing first hand a group of animals already so familiar through spectacular photographs and films.
To take a whale or dolphin watching trip could hardly be simpler through Planet Whale, where you can search by location, species, month or type of experience. But if you really want to take the trip that suits you best, here are some top tips before you start searching.
Where
Whales, dolphins and porpoises, collectively known as cetaceans, are found throughout the world’s oceans as well as a number of our largest rivers. Some dolphins and whales favour shallow waters or coastal areas, whereas others restrict themselves to very deep water. Some are resident, but others are migratory. Part of the joy of watching these animals are their complete unpredictability. Although whale and dolphin watchers know of certain hotspots where sightings are fairly predictable, it is often impossible to guess exactly where they will occur because they can pop up anywhere at any time. Whales and dolphins do not follow any rules. They roam freely over great distances and there is still much to learn about their distribution and migratory patterns. Their air of mystery and unpredictability is part of what makes watching them so rewarding.
When
Although whales and dolphins spend much of their time underwater, they must return to the surface to breathe on a regular basis. That’s your chance to get a good look at them! The amount of time spent at the surface varies greatly from species to species and is also dependent upon whether the animal is resting, feeding or travelling. In many areas, whales and dolphins are generally easier to find in some seasons than in others. Different species occur in different waters during different months, so check the best season to watch before planning your trip.
How
The choice of whale and dolphin watching trips currently on offer around the world is staggering, leaving us spoilt for choice in terms of the number of sites to visit, species to see and commercial operators running trips. Whether you simply wish to see a whale or a dolphin, or target a particular species, a little preparation prior to your trip can make a lot of difference. Below is a priority list of things to do in order to get the very most out of your whale watching trip.
1. Be ethical. Click here to read our recipe for high quality, sustainable whale watching!
2. Do some background research (surf Planet Whale!) to find out the best season and location to see your target species, or to combine whale and dolphin watching with your other leisure time activities.
3. Once you have decided on a location, use the Planet Whale search engine to find out which operators are running trips in the area. This information is also accessible through books, websites, and tourist information centres.
4. Choose an operator. The type of whale watching experience will be influenced greatly by the operator that you choose. Read the reviews under each operator’s listing page on the Planet Whale website, check out the operator’s own website or contact the local tourist information centre. Phoning the operator for further information, contacting friends who have previously visited the area (try joining the Planet Whale community), or asking for recommendations from local residents and tourists on arrival can also help in choosing an appropriate trip. Alternatively, try several operators to discover which one suits you best.
5. Whale watching is unpredictable in many ways so putting time into planning your trip often pays off. Check with the operator to see whether you need to reserve tickets in advance. Some trips are very popular, particularly at weekends or during holidays, but if ticket reservation is not required, this gives you the flexibility to check on the weather before making a final decision. Don’t be afraid to phone up operators and ask them what they have been seeing over the last few days. Several operators based in the same port may have different itineraries and, consequently, could be encountering different animals. 5
6. It is often possible to increase your chances of seeing a particular species by explaining to an operator that this is what you are attempting to do, particularly if you are prepared to make several trips to achieve your goal. Whale watch operators like to satisfy their customers but are generally not used to people with specific requests. They will try to help you if they can.
7. Many people spend considerable resources on travel and accommodation in order to go whale watching and then only take one trip. Whilst this may satisfy the curiosity of some, it is unusual for a return trip to result in exactly the same type of encounters. Why not take two, three or even four trips out with the same operator on the same day, or over several days. Not only are you likely to see different animals, species and behaviours, but by building up a rapport with the crew you may gain a greater insight into the animals and the lives of those people who make a living from the sea. If you do decide to take several return trips, try to negotiate a discounted rate in return for your multiple booking
Below is a list of important questions to ask whale and dolphin watch operators in order to help you decide which one you would prefer to travel with:
1 How much does the trip cost?
2 How long does the trip last?
3 What type and size of vessel do you use?
4 Is the trip designed for whale watching, or is whale watching just part of the tour?
5 When and from where do you depart?
6 Is there a professional naturalist guide onboard? This is an important influence on the quality of your experience. A good guide will provide information on all of the wildlife of the area and how to identify them.
7 Is the boat used for whale or dolphin research and do you contribute to the conservation of the animals that you watch?
8 How often do you see marine mammals, which species and when?
9 How many people do you carry per trip and are you confident that there will be enough reservations for the trip to run?
10 Do you provide a free return ticket if no cetaceans are seen?
