ISLAND HOPPING · WHALE WATCHING

Whale-Watching Boat Trips Worldwide: 4 to Book

4 tours  ·  from $79 a head

Good whale-watching boat trips sell out weeks ahead and the best of them go first. Below: the 4 to book early, what each one includes and where they differ.

Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive - The 9 a.m. start and hotel pickup
Australia Island Hopping, Island Hopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive

1.Swim with Whale Sharks in the Ningaloo Reef: 3 Island Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · from $444Our pick

Spend about eight hours on Ningaloo Reef with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive, following a spotter aircraft to find whale sharks. You can also snorkel with manta rays, turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and seasonal whales. The crew provides equipment, meals, drinks, a safety tender, hotel transfers, and professional underwater photos.

“Incrediblely kind and knowledgeable crew made sure every single person had an amazing day. Thought it would be a one time trip to WA for me but I will definitely be back again and again for this! The sharks are absolutely stunning.”

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Auckland: Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise - Looking for whales, dolphins, and seabirds
Auckland Island Hopping, Dolphin Watching, Island Hopping Tours, New Zealand Island Hopping, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Auckland: Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise

2.Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 292 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $92

Spend 6 to 8 hours cruising Tikapa Moana from Auckland, with dedicated time to find whales and dolphins, live commentary, and a stop at Rotoroa Island or Man O’ War Vineyard. Choose wildlife walks and a swim, or wine and lunch. A marine mammal guarantee offers a return voucher if nothing is seen.

“Wow, wow, wow, what a fabulous day and so lucky😎 Even the guys running the boat said we saw a lot more than is usual and in perfect weather too. Loads of Gannets that gave away the positions of the feeding Common Dolphins and Bryde's Whales😎 These whales are quite common here but considered as critically endangered generally🙄 Brutus" is a nickname for the Bryde's whale, that is pronounced "Broodus"🐳”

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Swim with Humpback Whales - Ningaloo Reef - 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive - How the spotter plane changes the day
Australia Island Hopping, Island Hopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

3.Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $430

Spend about eight hours at Ningaloo Reef with Three Islands Whale Shark Dive, using an aircraft spotter to find humpback whales and other wildlife. You can snorkel with crew support, enjoy meals, Champagne, and professional photos, and possibly see turtles, manta rays, dolphins, dugongs, whale sharks, and colorful reef fish.

“To be in the water and see the humpback mother and calf swim under us about 8 meters away - truly amazing. The teamwork and professionalism of vessel crew were outstanding and ensured a perfect day. Thank you 3 Islands - you did a great job. Will be back for the whale shark next year.”

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Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure - Searching Banderas Bay for humpback whales
Island Hopping Tours, Mexico Island Hopping, Puerto Vallarta Island Hopping, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure

4.Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $79Best value

This 4 to 5 hour Puerto Vallarta outing combines whale watching in Banderas Bay with snorkeling at Los Arcos. An English-speaking local guide leads a group of no more than 15 people from Playa Mismaloya. Water, soda, beer, snacks, and snorkeling gear are included.

“We saw whales and dolphins. The dolphins were jumping out of the water and a whale breached right in front of us.”

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