Whale-watching sites
Meeting a whale is like meeting an alien. It evokes loud applause and tears of joy. It makes you think, and sometimes it changes your life. We have chosen eight places where it is best to observe the largest mammals on the planet.
Not long ago, whales were on the brink of extinction. Commercial whaling may have robbed the world of one of its greatest wonders. For our children and grandchildren, we would only show these giants in pictures. Fortunately, that did not happen. On February 19, 1986, a law was enacted banning the hunting of whales and the sale of whale meat.
Now Whale Watching – watching whales in their natural habitat – is becoming increasingly popular. We talked to the guides and participants in Team Trip’s unusual expeditions. For five years, the guys have been organizing trips to whales in different parts of the world. In this article they share their experiences and discoveries with us.
Portugal
When: From the beginning of May to September.
How to get there: by a joint flight between S7 Airlines and TAP Air Portugal to Lisbon, then by plane to Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island).
Whom you can see: sperm whales, sei whales, fin whales, humpback whales, dolphins and about 20 other cetacean species.
The Azores are a small archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal. In May, there is a migratory route of mustachian whales. And sperm whales live on the Azores all year round. The islands used to be the center of whaling, but since the late 80s they have become a paradise sanctuary.
There is a university, a museum, and watchtowers, from which observers guided whalers, now help tour boats. Cetaceans, turtles, and the mantu, the sea devil, can be seen in these places. The whales are not at all afraid of people, and if the captain knows their habits well, you can get very close to them.
Shantar Islands
When: July and August.
How to get there: by S7 Airlines flight to Khabarovsk, then by a pre-booked minibus to Nikolay Bay and an excursion boat to the Shantar Islands.
Who can be seen: bowhead and gray whales, beluga whales, killer whales, minke whales.
The archipelago consists of 15 islands, where only the staff of the weather station lives. Nature is the sovereign mistress of these places. It shows its treasures to those who dare to make the trip. Streams run from the mountains and turn into high waterfalls (up to a hundred meters!), forests sway with their pine branches, and rocks amaze with a variety of colors – red, green, pink. Ice is present almost all year round, and even in the middle of the calendar summer there are icebergs floating in the water.
Here the birds roar, the seals rest peacefully, and during the rafting one can see a deer, an elk or even a bear. And the main thing is that these waters are home to a rare bowhead whale, a heavyweight and long-lived whale. There are known individuals that are over 200 years old. Just imagine – you will meet a whale born in Napoleon’s century!
Wrangel and Herald Islands
When: from June to November.
How to get there: by S7 Airlines flight from Vladivostok to Anadyr, then by car to the village of Provideniya and by excursion ship to the Wrangel and Herald Islands.
Who can be seen: gray and humpback whales, beluga whales and killer whales.
Chukotka is one of the most mysterious and inaccessible places in Russia. This route is suitable only for daredevils and true adventurers. You won’t see crowds of tourists with cameras here. Instead, you will meet the gray whale, which just a few years ago might have disappeared. Now its population has increased significantly, and sometimes you can catch the beauty right in the frame from the shore. The gray whale spends the summer and fall here, and during the molting period it comes to the shallow water and scratches on the rocks.
Keep in mind that you can get to the Wrangel and Herald Islands only as part of a tour group and with a special permit.
Norway
When: all year round.
How to get there: by S7 Airlines and Lufthansa to Oslo, then by car and ferry or by plane to Andenes or Tromsø.
Who can be seen: orcas, humpback and bowhead whales, sei whales, fin whales, minke whales, sperm whales, dolphins.
The cold waters in the north of Norway are rich in fish. This is what attracts whales, you can meet them here all year round. But especially often – in the fall and winter, when the fjords are filled with herring. Orcas and humpback whales swim right up to the shore in search of prey. But, of course, the view from the shore is not the same as from the boat. And everything becomes quite different if you dive next to these amazing creatures. Contrary to popular belief, orcas are not dangerous to humans. If you choose a professional guide and follow his advice, you will get an unforgettable experience.
These journeys are for everyone who cares about our planet. They are for those who feel part of nature and who are ready to communicate with animals as equals, to feel them, to open up to them. Such trips are not only loving, but also sobering. Having seen a whale with your own eyes you understand: this huge majestic animal can be killed by one little man who just threw away a plastic bag. You begin to think about recycling, about the environment. Every action you take affects this world. You realize you don’t want to harm these beautiful creatures with your wrong or careless behavior.
