Where you can swim with whales. The best places for extreme diving. What to bring

There are not so many places in the world where you can observe the largest mammals in their natural habitat. In addition to Northern Europe, spotting 15-ton animals that live longer than people can be arranged in the south - the main thing is to know the places. We tell you where to go, how to combine it with a vacation, and how much it will cost to meet a sperm whale and minke whale, which you will remember for a long time.

Norway

You can watch whales in Norway all year round, and in winter you can see them right from the shore. To do this, go to the Vesterålen archipelago, to the city of Andenes. In the cold waters of the Lofoten Islands, there are many small fish that killer whales, whales and dolphins love to feast on. To celebrate, they even jump out of the water - to see the guys closer, it's best to sign up for a short trip at a distance of just a few kilometers from the coast. You can get acquainted with a fifty-kilogram sperm whale and baby minke whales. Pay attention, the archipelago is located beyond the Arctic Circle, and therefore do not forget to warm up properly.

In summer, tours are organized Arctic Whale Tours, from the end of May to the end of August. The average cost of a "whale safari" for an adult is € 150 for 4 hours, but for students and large groups there are discounts.

You can watch whales all year round by saving and buying a tour from Whale safari in Andesen for € 102. A deposit is required, but if you still don’t see whales, they will take you one more time and in any case they will give you tea and cookies.

How to get there? From there you can go by car and by ferry, but this way will take you forever. It is much easier (but, unfortunately, not cheaper) to travel by plane. You can fly to Andenes from Oslo with a direct SAS (for a one-way flight lay at least € 120) or with the domestic carrier Widerøe. They do not have a direct flight, and therefore they will have to transfer to Bodo, Harstad-Narvik or some other godforsaken corner, paying € 130 for this pleasure.

Iceland

The highest chance of seeing whales is in Iceland. The season here lasts from mid-May to mid-September. The locals cleverly take advantage of the ever-growing demand for whale excursions: they converted former fishing schooners into tourist boats, and therefore the trip will be at least atmospheric.

The main center for whale watching in Iceland and throughout Europe is the town of Husavik. Here, not far from the coast, white-faced whales and minke whales constantly hang out, and sometimes blue whales and beluga whales drop by. Now there are more than 30 operators in the country who take whale watching, but here are a couple of proven ones for you to start with.

How to get there? Fly to Tenerife with direct Ryanair from Warsaw for €109 one way. We already have details and alternatives.

Portugal

There are 23 whale species in the Azores. Toothed whales and sperm whales rule here - they are completely indifferent to people, and therefore it turns out to swim very close to them. By the way, the easiest way to see crazy baby whales that let people close to them at a distance of ten meters. The peak of the whale season in the Azores is in May and June, because the isthmus between the islands of Pico and Faial is part of the migratory route of dolphins and whales.

Depending on which island you will live on, choose a provider. The cost is about the same - € 55-60 per adult, if there are several of you, you can safely bargain.

Azores Whale Watching offer a tour for two and a half hours in the company of a guide who is well versed in the biology, zoology and habits of whales, and therefore comments on their every action in real time. Really exciting! Usually you can see three types of whales during the tour. Start from San Miguel Island. The guys even keep statistics on which of the whale brethren swam to the island in a month - very exciting.

Futurismo travelers are taken to watch whales from two islands - San Miguel and Pico. During the 3-hour tour, you will be shown not only whales, but also all the marine life that you meet along the way, so that you can fill in all the gaps in biology from school curriculum. They give out raincoats and special waterproof pants, although it would be better to send escorts to English courses - it is difficult to understand their pronunciation.

How to get there? yours Starting point will become Lisbon (how to get to it, we already) or. From the capital to the main city of the island, San Miguel Ponta Delgada, direct Ryanair flies (from € 39.99), as well as EasyJet (from € 38.99). From Porto - only Ryanair from € 34. There is also a direct flight from Moscow to Azores Airlines azoresairlines.pt/, but the price tag starts from € 300 one way. The same story if you fly through Kyiv or Berlin.

Italy

The Mediterranean Sea is perhaps not the most obvious, but it is quite an accessible destination for spotting whales. Try your luck in Liguria. The season here runs from April to October. The five-hour tours were created in collaboration with WWF, so expect to get a lot of information about the world's largest mammals from a biologist who will go on a trip with you.

Imagine: a huge ten-story house suddenly came to life and floats in the sea, letting out fountains. Sometimes he jumps out of the water and falls back, sending tons of spray into the air. This spectacle is worth it!

Where is the best place to go in order to capture on film and in memory the miracle of nature - the whale in its natural habitat?

Russia, Kola Peninsula

In May, cod spawns off the coast of the Kola Peninsula. The whales know about this and come here in the hope of a feast. If you go out to the open sea, it is easy to see sperm whales and minke whales, their populations are numerous. And if you're lucky, you can meet the bowhead whale, buval, narwhal, high-browed bottlenose and sei whale.

Location: Russia, Kola Peninsula

Season: May

Whales: three types of toothed and six types of mouthed whales

Russia, Shantar Islands

Killer whales and friendly whales live in Ongachan Bay on the Shantar Islands. You can watch them directly without going out to sea, from the shore. Beluga whales, killer whales, gray, Japanese and bowhead whales come here to feed. Now on the islands you can only see the workers of the weather station, numerous bird colonies and seal rookeries. But whalers once lived here. In the middle of the 20th century, it was even believed that the populations of gray and polar whales on the Shantar were completely destroyed. But the prohibition of whaling allowed them to recover. Whole flocks (about 10 individuals at once) of gray whales pass just a few meters from the shore, so they can be seen for sure.

Also, gray whales greet passengers of cruise ships a little to the north, off the coast of Kamchatka and Wrangel Island.

Location: Russia, Shantar Islands

Season: July-August

Whales: whales and killer whales

Russia, Solovetsky Islands

White whales are an unforgettable sight! It is worth making to the north of Russia to see this most beautiful creation. Snow-white giants can appear to you in all their charm just 15 meters from the Beluga Cape. This place does not yet have a developed tourist infrastructure, but the fame of white whales makes the cape more and more popular for ecotourism lovers.

In the people, the beluga whale is called "singing". This is a cautious creature with a limited halo of habitat, so before heading out to admire the white whale, read about it as much as possible.

Location: Russia, Beluga Cape

Season: summer, low tide

Whales: beluga whale

South Africa

Believe it or not, whales have their own festival. It takes place in a small bay of the city of Hermanus. It is here that whales come to give birth to their babies and stay here until the cubs grow up.

On the cliffs and rocks, the shores are equipped viewing platforms, from which you can perfectly see all the somersaults and pirouettes of whales in the bay, and sometimes about 20 whales have fun with jumps and fountains at once! In addition, sea excursions are organized, allowing you to admire these giants up close.

It certainly attracts tourists from all over the world. So a unique profession appeared in the city, the name of which can be translated into Russian approximately as “whale watcher”. Its task is to observe and then notify where and when you can see these magnificent creatures of nature.

Location: South Africa, Hermanus

Season: July-November

Whales: southern, humpback whale and many other species

Spain

The Bay of Biscay will not deceive your expectations and will definitely give you a meeting with a whale. A large amount of plankton in the water provides an excellent dining room for the giants. Since whale hunting has been banned, this is a paradise for them.

Since about 1996, special tours by sea have been organized here to observe and study marine life. The whales feel at home here, they can be observed from the ferry, and at certain times of the year from the shore. So, buen provecho, dear whale, while we admire you.

Location: Spain, Bay of Biscay

Season: August-September

Whales: killer whales, sperm whales, fin whales and other species

New Zealand

You don't have to choose the right season for whale watching, it can be done at any time of the year. All you have to do is leave for the South Island and go to the bay. Kaikura, whales, sperm whales, killer whales - everything starts with the letter "k".

Cold and warm currents, a lot of plankton and small fish - whales think that this is ideal for them. Summer lasts from October to March, so if you want to bask in the gentle sun, this is the best time to visit the island. Orcas and humpback whales prefer summer period, and sperm whales drift along the coast of the South Island all year round.

Location: New Zealand, kaikura

Season: all year round

Whales: killer whales, humpback whale, sperm whales

California

California is considered one of the best places for whale watching for a reason. It is here that those who want to see the largest whale, the blue one, should rush. But tourists are more attracted to gray whales - they are famous for their friendliness to humans.

They swim so close that they can be seen in detail and even stroked. Thrill-seekers go to meet the whale in small boats. Sometimes whales even play with such a boat - for them it really is like a toy in size.

And in 2014, biologists noticed that the number of whales in the bays of California increased to a record. So far, no explanation for this phenomenon has been found. The number of whales and other representatives of the marine fauna is still at a high level.

Location: USA, Baja Peninsula, California

Season: all year round, beginning of February-end of April

Whales: gray, humpback, blue, senvals, sperm whales

Azores

Seeing the mating games of whales - what could be more interesting? Giants often spend their honeymoon near. The center attracts more than 20 species of these amazing creatures, including the blue whale.

Previously, whales were the main fishery of the islanders. And now professional sailor guides invite you to hunt a whale only with a camera.

Location: Azores, Fr. San Miguel

Season: April-early October

Whales: toothed whales, sperm whales, northern bottlenose whales and more than 20 species

Iceland

In order to count on a meeting with a whale, it is enough to come to the northeast coast. But for greater reliability, it is worth visiting the capital of whales - the city of Husavik.

Skjalfandi Bay has long been considered one of the favorite haunts of these sea giants. Here you can see how killer whales play with their cubs, throwing them high into the air with their heads. And also - with special luck - you can hear the songs of humpback whales, which occupy the top of the hit parade among marine life.

Whales sing during mating season. At this time, they usually depart for warmer waters. But sometimes, in a particularly romantic mood, they can perform their song in the off-season.

Location: Iceland, Husavik city

Season: April-October

Whales: killer whales, humpback whales, minke whales, blue

Norway

If you want to watch how whales hunt for schools of fish, you are in Norway. Be prepared for the fact that the Lofoten Islands are located below the Arctic Circle. The warm Gulf Stream provides a rather mild climate there, but sun lovers will not find their usual comfort here.

But the landscapes of the islands are simply magnificent - rocks rising straight from the water in the bays, snow-white sand in the emerald bays. Mysterious uninhabited islands, centuries-old trees - everything around enchants and calls for adventure. The waters of the islands are full of herring, a favorite delicacy of sperm whales and killer whales. So you can witness a chic spectacle: whale hunting for prey.

Location: Norway, Lofoten Islands

Season: winter

Whales: bowhead whale, sperm whale, Biscay whale, blue whale, minke and killer whales

Vancouver Island

Whale migration near Vancouver Island resembles a procession or parade. Giants importantly swim very close to the shore, deftly and gracefully, it is possible to see in all details even from the coast.

You can enjoy this spectacle for hours, it is so mesmerizing. And if you go on a tourist ship, you will get the opportunity to enjoy the view of the island from the ocean, admire the snow-white enchanted mountain peaks.

Location: Canada, about. Vancouver

Season: March-October

Whales: killer whales, gray whales, blue whales, humpback whales and many other species

Argentina

Listed world heritage The UNESCO Peninsula Valdes is not just beautiful, it is unique. After all, elephant seals and eared seals live here - the rarest animals. Southern whales, giants 14 meters long, are admired for their grace and harmonious forms.

They come to the peninsula to give birth to cubs, especially in October. But at other times of the year, you can enjoy the spectacle of whales playing in the sun. The most beautiful nature, rare animals, the blue endless ocean - a wide palette of impressions is guaranteed to you!

Location: Argentina, Chubut Province, Valdes Peninsula

Season: June-December

Whales: southern smooth whales, killer whales

booking aspects. A gamble with Oceania was started more than a year ago, in August 2017. The reason is that armors fly away at a terrible speed. And whales are booked at least a year in advance. All the action takes place in the Kingdom of Tonga. Tonga has several whale watching spots. This is the Haapai or Vavau group of islands. It is believed that it is better to swim with whales on Vavau: the ocean is calmer. There are a lot of sailing companies out there. As a result, we get large lines of boats when a whale is found. The first boat that found it floats with it, an hour later the second boat comes into play, and so on. Plus, you need to book on Vavau with a 2-year horizon if you want to get into the hot season, which falls from July 20 to September 20. Everything is calmer on Haapai: there are few boats, armor can be made with a horizon of 1 year. We chose Haapai for our trip.

How is the process of swimming with whales? In short, it goes awesome. And if you go into details, then yes.

At the beginning, the whale must be found. We were a little unlucky with the season, the whales had already begun to dump in Antarctica in early October. Therefore, the search was not the easiest process. In a good season, the whales themselves will find you and do it quickly, they themselves will invite you to swim. We had to spend a couple of hours in the ocean before meeting the whale. So the whale has been found. Sometimes he is not happy with your company and tries to swim away, sometimes he lurks at the bottom and waits, sometimes we met a mother with a kitten. Mom was sleeping with her tail up, and a curious whale circled around.
Here you are swimming with a mask and snorkel, and a whale is swimming nearby. And a maximum of four people. There are no protective cages, zorbings, an iron man suit and other nonsense. There are no scuba gear either :) Kittens are the most playful. If you turn around its own axis by 360 degrees, the whale will repeat the movement. Waving to the whale, he will wave his flippers. Full interactive and complete delight!
You can swim up to the whale as close as the feeling of fear will allow. The first few moments are really scary. Imagine a pool where you are alone with a whale. Not on my own anymore. And here is the whole ocean and you feel like a microbe :)
Getting hit in the ear with a tail seems like a completely natural development. Especially if you swim up to the whale at arm's length. However, in the process of swimming, it was noticed that the whales take care of the skinny people. When one of us was in danger of meeting with the tail, the whale stopped him (the tail) at the last moment. As a result, the impression that everything is super safe. That is, there is no feeling that you are seeing something incredibly cool, but you will have to pay for it with your health)
The waves in the ocean are sometimes childish. I just blunted it a little, took off the mask to rinse, immediately got a wave in my face, and so on until the victory)) if you are a bad swimmer, then it’s better to immediately dress up in a vest. It is red and beautiful, and if the whale stuns with its tail, it will be easy to find you :)

A couple of tips. From the preparatory activities, it is recommended to bring your own mask and snorkel. And check that everything works, does not leak and does not infuriate. In the raging ocean, any petty nonsense turns into big problem. And take your hydrik. In our cozy haven (eco-hotel), the choice of wetsuits resembled the choice of noble cognac in a rural store)) And the raincoat will not hurt. It's cold to travel 6 hours across the ocean in a blown boat. A raincoat will add joules)) We used blankets from the rooms for warming up, for which the team of laundresses will surely thank us. Yes, washing in Tonga is done in an old-fashioned way, namely by hand

Multi-ton marine mammals singing songs at great depths. Who doesn't dream of meeting them? Every year, thousands of travelers travel to Scandinavia and Africa, to Argentina and Alaska, to at least catch a glimpse of whales.

Most often, they appear out of the water for only a few seconds - only the back or tail can be photographed. But not without reason whale watching (whale watching) is compared with hunting: those who are ready to wait patiently manage to make fantastic shots. Whales always appear unexpectedly, causing applause from onlookers, and sometimes even tears.

Meeting a giant mammal is a worthy dream. We have selected five trips where you can watch whales.

1.
This trip is the most affordable way to see whales in Russia. A wide spit separates the estuary from the Ongachan bay. From the shore you can watch salmon entering the river to spawn, as well as whales frolicking in the bay. Beluga whales, killer whales, gray, Japanese and bowhead whales come here to feed. Now here you can see only the workers of the weather station, numerous bird colonies and seal rookeries. But once the Shantars were inhabited, and whalers lived here.

In the middle of the 20th century, it was even believed that the populations of gray and polar whales were completely destroyed here. But the prohibition of whaling allowed them to recover. Whole flocks (about 10 individuals at once) of gray whales pass just a few meters from the shore, so you will definitely see them.

Ongachan Bay, where the tourist base is located, is a place permanent residence whales. And also - bears, seals and stoats. The picturesque nature of the Shantar Islands will definitely awaken the explorer in you.

2.

The Wrangel and Herald Islands and the 12-mile sea area adjacent to them are included in the complex of the reserve, which received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the coastal waters here you can meet fin whales, gray and bowhead whales. Due to historical and landscape-climatic conditions, as well as inaccessibility, animals and vegetable world are unique here.

Having gone on a sea cruise to Chukotka, even at the exit from Anadyr Bay around the ship you will notice a lot of backs of belugas hunting for fish. When you reach Yttygran Island, you will board motor boats to look for the gray whales that the region is famous for. Also in these parts lives the world's largest population of the Pacific walrus. Other animals include polar bears, deer, arctic foxes and musk oxen. Watching huge bird colonies is also in the cruise program. There are puffins, guillemots and cormorants, rare white geese, which can be photographed at arm's length. A world of untouched wildlife will open before you.

Cold Antarctic waters, washing the icy continent, are rich in oxygen. This contributes to the rapid development of life. Whales are often seen on routes to Antarctica. Here you will observe humpback whales, fin whales and minke whales. Sometimes - for killer whales. Our cruise to Antarctica starts in December 2019. In addition to whales, you will see fur seals, and, of course, penguins, who are not at all afraid of people and now and then strive to look into your bag. And you will also visit the Lemaire Strait - it was nicknamed "Kodak Gap". He is so beautiful that before the appearance digital cameras, travelers spent up to 600 km of film a year here. Meeting the New Year together with the crew of the expedition ship among the ice of the southernmost continent - this happens once in a lifetime.

Franz Josef Land is one of the most remote and inaccessible regions of the Arctic. The archipelago has survived to this day in its original form - with a unique wildlife in its water area. Beluga whales can be found here. Northern region is an important summer feeding ground for these representatives of cetaceans. Narwhals also live in the waters. This is a rare species listed in the Red Book of Russia. And the water area of ​​Franz Josef Land is a place of regular meetings of bowhead whales.

On an expedition to the archipelago, you will see minke whales as you sail through Isfjord on a boat. Moving along Svalbard you will see bowhead whales. You will also reach one of the largest walrus rookeries in the world and visit the bird rookeries where guillemots, kittiwakes and rare ivory gulls live. On such a journey, you will definitely feel like a pioneer.

People can't turn down the opportunity to swim with marine animals, which unfortunately has resulted in the marine tourism industry taking advantage of unfortunate creatures in the wild who are forced to perform and interact with curious visitors. When we start to cool down a little from impressions after such performances of animals in the circus, we very often realize the tragedy of the situation. In this case, it becomes extremely difficult to find organizations offering ethical wildlife tours to keep the animals in their natural habitat.

Here are seven places you can go to swim with underwater life in the wild without the guilt of dragging you down. Just remember that beloved animals are also very strong and can react if they feel threatened or agitated. Never put an animal in a situation where it has to be on the defensive or you will really see how wild these creatures can be.

Bottlenose Dolphin - Adelaide, South Australia
Bottlenose dolphins are perhaps the most famous of all animals that are kept captive for the entertainment of tourists. They perform in shows, do tricks in circuses and live their lives in shallow pools.

If you really love dolphins, it's best to meet them where they live - in the wild. Off the coast of Adelaide in South Australia, flocks of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins explore the cool waters, and it is quite possible to get into the water with them. Curious dolphins will come to play after your boat, after which you can show yourself to them, and the animals can decide whether they want to stay near you or not. Thus, they themselves decide how much time they want to spend with a person.

Beluga - Churchill, Canada
Belugas stand out for their pearly white color and playful demeanor. Like their distant relative, the bottlenose dolphin, these arctic cetaceans will chase boats and curiously recognize the people who swim in the waters next to it.

Churchill in Manitoba, Canada is well known for its polar bear sightings, but it's also the place for those interested in venturing into the freezing seas to meet beluga whales. Sea North Tours add additional element in an effort to approach these creatures ethically: they have secured the propellers of their boats, so there is nothing that could accidentally harm the brave beluga.

Manats - Crystal River, Florida
Manats are endangered marine animals that are constantly suffering from our collective desire to approach them in boats. Thus, it is completely illegal to touch or even approach manats. But every winter in Crystal River, Florida, these animals gather in this in large numbers that people were allowed to swim in the water with them.

Although there are many protected areas where manats can rest in peace, they prefer to go out and interact with people out of sheer curiosity. Swimming with manats in Crystal River is an even greater experience when you know you won't harm the wildlife you're disturbing.

Whale Sharks - Belize
Between March and June, whale sharks come to the Belize Barrier Reef. The largest of all living fish species, the whale shark, comes here to spawn in the waters off the coast of Belize, and it is at this time that divers and even surfers have the opportunity to witness the greatness of this unique creature.

This gentle giant can be curious and playful with humans, but it must decide for itself whether it wants to get close to humans or not. The same can be said for the many other wildlife you are likely to see while watching whale sharks, including rays, cuttlefish and bottlenose dolphins.

Harbor Seals - Vancouver, Canada
Sea lions and other pinnipeds are very similar to dogs. They are loyal, playful, and have large, round, puppy-like eyes that are irresistible. Howe Sound near Vancouver in British Columbia abounds wildlife, including fur seals in the harbor.

Put on a wetsuit, whether you're kayaking or swimming underwater through a seal's habitat: this outfit inspires the animal's trust in humans. Before approaching an animal, you definitely need to understand what mood it is in. If it eats or sleeps, leave it alone. Always leave marine animals their own space and the way. in order to sail into the depths of the sea, if they so desire.

Humpback Whales - Tonga
From June to October in Tonga, as well as around other islands in the South Pacific, tourists can take to the waters with humpback whales lazily enjoying the warm waters of the ocean.

These whales roam the world's waters, but Tonga is one of the few places in the world that is licensed to allow tourists to swim with these animals. Humpback whales are truly impressive in size, and watching them is an indescribable pleasure. Such impressions are remembered for a lifetime. When interacting with animals, give the whales your space and look into their soulful eyes to discover that they, in turn, are also watching you and are ready to make contact.

Hammerhead Shark - Galapagos Islands
In some regions, swimming in the ocean inevitably means being among the sharks. The deep waters between the Galapagos Islands offer the unique experience of entering the hammerhead shark habitat. These creatures are one of the most aggressive shark species when provoked, so maintaining distance is essential for positive interaction with the animal in its environment. Sailing and diving equipment in the Galapagos is your best resource for diving or snorkeling with sharks.

Despite the risks, watching these curious creatures surrounded by an endless sea is a good unforgettable experience that helps to rethink a lot. After all, being so close to these dangerous creatures, you begin to look at life differently.