The best spots for whale watching in the USA

Located off the coast of Washington State, the San Juan Islands is actually an archipelago made up of hundreds of tiny isles, the main ones being Orcas Island, San Juan Island and Lopez Island. Although orcas (A.K.A. killer whales) can be found here all year long,  the peak season for viewing lasts between May and September. They can be spotted on land—Lime Kilm Point State Park on San Juan Island is, hands down, the most popular spot for shore sightings—or via boat. Visitors can pick tour operators, including Maya's Legacy Whale Watching, Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours and San Juan Safaris.

Beautiful beaches, rich heritage, postcard-worthy landscapes, and majestic marine life: Find all this and more on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Speaking of the latter, the whale-watching opps here are, in a word, spectacular. Moreover, thousands of humpback whales—around 10,000 of them, to be exact—migrate here each winter (December to May) to breed and eventually nurse their calves in the warm waters. Try your look spotting them from the sand in Kāʻanapali, Kīhei and Wailea or embark on a boat tour; PacWhale Eco-Adventures offers a handful of options for every type of traveler.

Nestled in northern California, Mendocino County is an oasis for whale watchers. From November through April, over 20,000 California gray whales stop here from Alaska on the way to the Baja Peninsula to mate before heading back up north. Try your luck at spotting them from the shore at Mendocino Headlands State Park or Point Arena Lighthouse. While whale-watching boat tours are available, adventure-loving travelers may also opt to rent kayaks to see these majestic creatures up close. Don’t miss the Mendocino Coast Whale Festival, which takes place in the town of Mendocino on March 2 and nearby Fort Bragg on March 16.

Between the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife, it’s no secret that a trip to Alaska is one for the books. Its capital city, Juneau, is located within the Inside Passage, a coastal route dotted with fjords, glaciers, and more almost-otherwordly scenery. In peak season, the waters are filled with hundreds of whales (mostly humpbacks and some orcas). While whale watching season technically takes place from April through November, peak viewing time lasts between June and September. If you’re traveling here via cruise, you may even be able to spot the whales from the ship; otherwise, embark on a boat or kayaking tour. It’s worth noting that many companies, such as Juneau Shore Tours, Juneau Tours & Whale Watch, and Alaska Shore Excursions, offer guaranteed whale sightings. 

While you may equate Maine with lobster, the Pine Tree State offers some seriously spectacular whale-watching opportunities—and the town of Bar Harbor, best known as the gateway to Acadia National Park, is among the best places to ogle at these creatures. And although you can technically spot humpback, finback, pilot and minke whales (among several others, no less) between April and October, the summer months offer the most consistent sightings due to the warm weather. Consider booking a tour with Bar Harbor Whales, which offers three- to five-hour excursions with sightings guaranteed.

Located at the northern tip of Cape Cod, buzzy Provincetown—affectionately nicknamed P-Town—is famous for its beaches, galleries and quaint inns. (Fun fact: It’s also an LGBTQ+ hotspot.) But beyond that, between April and October, the tiny town is home to several species of whales, including fin and humpback whales, which can be spotted regularly between April and October. Cape Cod Bay is also a breeding ground for the rare North Atlantic right whale, of which there are only 340 left worldwide. While summer is technically peak season for whale watching, P-town's spring and fall shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and lower prices. Whale-watching tours leave Provincetown Harbor from MacMillan Pier in the Town Center.

Virginia Beach may be best known as a summer vacation hotspot, but wildlife enthusiasts should consider a visit in the wintertime to go whale-watching. What’s more, between late December and mid-March, humpback, minke and fin whales all come to town to breed. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and Rudee Tours offer engaging excursions out on the water, with the latter offering guaranteed sightings from December to February. Prefer to stay on land? If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot whales from the shore at the Rudee Inlet.

This seaside resort town in southern New Jersey—approximately three hours from New York City and two hours from Philadelphia — makes for an ideal oceanfront escape in the summer months. During this time, travelers may be lucky enough to spot a humpback or finback (or minkes, which are rarer here) when in town. July and August are, without a doubt, the top months for whale-watching. We recommend setting sail with Cape May Whale Watcher or Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center, both of which offer tours from March through December.

About two and a half hours from Portland lies the small oceanfront city of Depoe Bay, a hidden haven for whale watchers pretty much any time of year. From mid-December through mid-January, approximately 20,000 gray whales stop here on their way to Baja, Mexico. Then, from late March through June, these whales return on their back up north—this time with their calves in tow. The summer and fall months are also popular for whale-watching. In addition to gray whales, humpbacks and orcas can be seen here, too. The Whale Watching Center is a great place to admire them from ashore; alternatively, Whale’s Tail Charters and Whale Research Eco Excursions offer boat tours.

A warm-weather winter escape to Florida is always a good idea, especially when whale-watching is involved. With that in mind, consider a trip to Amelia Island, a tiny isle off the Sunshine State’s northeast coast boasting pristine beaches. In the wintertime, lucky visitors may have the chance to admire the endangered North Atlantic right whales directly from the shore. Additionally, Amelia Island hosts the annual Right Whale Festival each November to mark the start of calving season (mid-November through mid-April). Highlights include ocean-themed activities, exhibits, kayak tours and beach clean-ups.