What is whale watching?
When talking about whale-watching, it’s important to consider where you are in the world. The term “whale-watching” refers to the activity and industry of observing whales, but that doesn’t mean that every whale-watching location guarantees immediate sightings.
First and foremost, whales are wild animals, and this fact carries significant meaning. No matter how much effort we put into finding them—and the approach varies from country to country—ultimately, it’s up to the whales. They move freely in the vast ocean, and their presence in a particular area at any given time is beyond our control. In addition to this general point, your location plays a major role in the whale-watching experience. For example, we always find it amusing when visitors come to Madeira and ask, “Is this the right season to see whales? Are we guaranteed to see them?” The answer is no—and here’s why.
In some places, such as Madeira, whale-watching exists, but there is no defined season, and sightings are highly unpredictable. Certain species are more commonly found in these waters, making them the most likely to be spotted. However, many other species simply pass through, and their presence is entirely random. You might see them on your tour, or they might appear during the next trip while you’re already back on land at a restaurant—you just never know. Madeira is not a place where you can go out and expect a high chance of seeing a whale.
On the other hand, there are locations where whale sightings are much more reliable. Take the humpback whale, for instance—one of the easiest species to observe. Different populations of humpback whales exist across the world, and in certain regions, their migratory patterns make sightings far more predictable. Humpback whales split their lives between feeding and breeding areas. This makes them relatively easy to find if you know where they are during a particular season. If it’s their feeding season, you go to their feeding grounds; if it’s their breeding season, you go to their breeding grounds. This predictability simplifies whale-watching. Take breeding grounds as an example. If you go out on a whale-watching tour in an area where humpback whales are breeding, your chances of spotting them are very high because they are there for a specific purpose—to breed. In these cases, there is a defined season, and sightings are much more likely. This is why whale-watching experiences vary depending on where you are in the world. You can’t always expect a 100% chance of seeing a whale, nor can you assume the experience will be the same everywhere. Different species have different behaviours, migration patterns, and habitats, which means sightings depend on many factors. Understanding this is key to setting realistic expectations.
One important piece of advice we always give to visitors is to check the ocean conditions—not just the weather. Whether it’s sunny or cloudy matters less than the state of the sea itself. Calm waters make for a much more comfortable experience and significantly improve visibility. It’s much easier to spot whales when the ocean is flat than when it’s rough, with large waves and whitecaps obscuring the view. We always suggest to check app about the wind, we usually use Windy. It’s not about the sunshine, but all about the sea and most of the time companies that only want to sell you tickets will not tell you how the condition outside are, unless you ask!
What to expect?
When people join a whale-watching tour, they often ask: Do you feed the animals? Do you touch them? Do you have a sonar under the boat? The answer to all of these is no.
Feeding wild animals is wrong. There are many images from around the world, especially in shark tourism, where sharks are fed to attract them for tourists. People justify it by saying it creates profit, which in turn helps protect sharks from being killed. But we always wonder—why do we have to turn everything into profit to protect it? Why can’t we just leave these animals alone? Feeding any wild animal interferes with its natural behaviour. A wild animal should find its own food, and human interference disrupts that.
Sonar is also not used. Sonar interferes with the animals’ communication systems. Cetaceans rely entirely on sound—for navigation, hunting, and socialising. The ocean is already extremely noisy due to human activity, which is one of the threats these animals face. So responsible whale-watching does not involve sonar.
It’s important not to touch cetaceans for several key reasons:
1. Health and Safety Risks: Cetaceans are wild animals, and touching them could lead to injury or infection. Their skin is sensitive, and humans can transfer harmful bacteria or diseases, potentially causing harm to the animals. Conversely, humans can also be at risk of contracting diseases from cetaceans.
2. Stress and Behavioural Disruption: Interacting with cetaceans can cause them stress. They are social animals, and sudden or unexpected human contact can disrupt their natural behaviours. This can negatively affect their health, feeding, and communication.
3. Conservation Concerns: Human interaction, especially from tourists or boaters, can harm cetaceans’ habitats and disrupt their migration patterns or breeding cycles. It’s crucial to respect their space to help ensure their populations thrive.
Dealing with our expectations is an important topic. We often see people arriving on the boat with big, professional cameras, and we can’t help but smile. It makes sense—you’ve booked a whale-watching tour, and you’re expecting something spectacular. Why does this happen? Social media plays a big role. Instagram, YouTube, and countless online videos showcase incredible whale encounters, making it seem like these moments are guaranteed. But the truth is, those viral clips are the exception, not the rule. Think of it like ordering a veggie burger. The menu picture looks amazing, but when your order arrives, it’s just a basic bun with barely anything inside. That’s marketing. The same applies to whale-watching. Tour companies naturally showcase their best moments to sell tickets, filling their websites with breathtaking photos. But what you see online isn’t what happens every single day.
Most of the time, you might see the back of a whale in the distance as it surfaces to breathe, or you’ll spot a few blows far away. Sometimes, you don’t see any whales at all. Maybe a few dolphins show up, and if they’re in the right mood, they’ll play around the boat. But depending on the species, you might just come across four or five dolphins that aren’t interested and completely ignore you. And yes, there are days when you go out and don’t see anything.
When we first started this job, we all used to get anxious on days with poor sightings or when we didn’t see anything at all. We dreaded having to explain the situation to passengers—it was frustrating. But with years of experience, that feeling has faded. Of course, we still feel a bit sad because we love seeing these animals on every trip. More than anything, we want people to witness them at their best, to leave the boat excited and in awe. That’s really what this job is about—creating those unforgettable moments.
If you’re chasing that perfect shot of a whale breaching, the answer isn’t control—it’s patience. You keep going on whale-watching tours. You keep exploring different places around the world until that moment finally happens. And when it does, it is pure magic.
But wildlife watching isn’t just about those rare, breathtaking moments. It’s about appreciation. It’s about understanding how lucky we are to be out on the ocean, even if all we see is a single dolphin passing by or the distant back of a whale. Lowering expectations doesn’t mean stepping onto the boat feeling disappointed because you won’t see a breaching whale up close. It means being grateful for every moment—because you are in the wild, where nature, not us, decides what happens. Every glimpse we get is a gift. When we go out and don’t see anything, we understand the frustration and disappointment on people’s faces when we return. It’s completely understandable. But we always tell them, “Just keep going, keep trying.” You spent time on the ocean today, and that alone is better than being on land. The ocean didn’t give you what you were hoping for, or maybe the animals simply didn’t want to be around—but that’s okay. That’s just how it is, and it’s still an incredible experience.
Going back to shark tourism, taking tourists to see sharks, luring them in with food to guarantee a sighting is completely wrong. We must never interfere with an animal’s natural behaviour just to satisfy tourists. We must never do anything to force an encounter or make an animal visible just so someone can leave with a great photo.
That’s why, when there is a whale-watching boats following too closely behind a whale, just waiting for it to lift its tail for the perfect photo, we know it’s wrong. The whale feels chased. And when you hear a guide saying, “Keep your camera ready! We’re right behind it, wait for the fluke!”—that’s not wildlife watching. It’s not about getting the perfect picture. It’s about the animals. They come first. We come second. Always.
How Do We Find Cetaceans?
Whale-watching around the world relies on looking—carefully scanning the ocean for signs of whales. The most common thing to look for is the spout. Whales are mammals, which means they have lungs and cannot breathe underwater. They need to surface to breathe, and when they do, they exhale forcefully through their blowhole, creating a visible mist of air and water vapour known as a spout or blow. This is often the first clue that a whale is nearby.
Five different blows from a competition group of Humpbacks in the breeding ground.
When observing the ocean—something everyone does during whale watching—we don’t just look for blows or spouts. We pay attention to anything unusual in the water. Large splashes in the distance or patches of white on the surface often indicate active behaviour, such as breaching or other movements. Birds are another key sign—when a large number of birds are circling or diving, it usually means something is happening beneath the surface.
Of course, we also look for the animals themselves. Spotting part of the back or its dorsal fin can help us identify the species from a distance. While it’s not always possible, recognising the species in advance often influences how we approach the animal, ensuring a more informed and respectful encounter.
Some locations, like Madeira, use spotters—people stationed on land with binoculars, scanning the ocean for whales. When they spot an animal, they communicate its location to the boat captain, making it easier to find them.
Other locations use hydrophones, which are underwater microphones. These can detect whale sounds, such as clicks, songs, or other vocalisations, helping guides determine the direction of the animals. However, most countries rely purely on visual spotting.
What Does Responsible Whale-Watching Mean?
Responsible whale-watching isn’t just a phrase or label —it involves specific guidelines that must be followed to minimise disturbance to the animals. Several key factors determine whether a whale-watching experience is ethical and sustainable.
1. Number of Boats
The number of boats around the animals is crucial. Some places, like Madeira, have regulations allowing only two boats near a group of animals at a time. In contrast, other locations have no restrictions, leading to 10, 20, or even 40 boats crowding the same group of animals. This creates an overwhelming amount of noise underwater, which is incredibly stressful for whales and dolphins that rely on sound for communication, navigation, and hunting.
2. Distance from the animals
Regulations on how close boats can approach vary widely from country to country. Some places enforce strict distance limits, while others have no rules at all, allowing boats to get dangerously close—sometimes nearly touching the animals. The right approach balances giving people an amazing experience while ensuring the whales remain undisturbed.
Distance regulations may also vary according to the species: distance from a whale or a pod of dolphins can be different. In the former case, distance is usually bigger, whilst in case a boat is approaching a pod of dolphins, distances can be smaller as the dolphins tend to approach boats.
3. Speed of approach
Guidelines and regulations on speed of approach vary widely, from super strict to non-existent. Unfortunately not all regulations give the rightful importance this parameter should deserve. There should be a speed limit to which each boat approaches an animal, to avoid disturbance, stress and even potential collisions with the animal.
4. Time Spent with the Animals
Different countries set different time limits for whale-watching encounters.
For example: Madeira: A maximum of 10 minutes per group of whales before boats must leave. Other locations have 20–30 minutes. Some places have No restrictions—boats stay as long as they want, causing prolonged stress to the animals.
Spending too much time around whales can disrupt their natural behaviours, such as feeding, resting, or socialising.
5. How Boats Approach the animals
The way a boat approaches an animal is one of the most important factors in responsible whale-watching. There are clear best practices:
Never approach from the front—blocking a whale’s path is disruptive.
Never approach from directly behind—this feels like chasing and can cause distress.
The best approach is at an angle from the side, maintaining a steady, non-threatening movement.
Some locations have detailed guidelines on how to approach, while others lack regulations, leading to reckless behaviour from boat operators.
5. Understanding Animals Behaviour
Perhaps the most important aspect of responsible whale-watching is recognising the animals’ response to your presence. A trained guide or captain should be able to read whale behaviour and determine whether the animals are comfortable or stressed.
If the whales show signs of distress, the correct response is to leave immediately. Unfortunately, some operators prioritise giving clients a close-up experience over the well-being of the whales—this is completely unacceptable. The animals must always come first.
People often ask, “How do you know if a whale is stressed?” There are clear behavioural signs that indicate stress, and knowing what to look for is important.
For example, if you approach a whale while it’s swimming, socialising, or engaging in any natural behaviour, and it continues without interruption, that’s a good sign. Sometimes, whales or dolphins may even stop what they’re doing and approach the boat out of curiosity, which is also a positive sign.
However, if you arrive in an area where whales are swimming in one direction and they suddenly change course to avoid the boat, that’s a clear indication of stress—they don’t want you there.
Another sign is if they start diving frequently as a way to escape. Similarly, if a group of whales is playing or socialising, but the moment a boat approaches, they all move away together or speed up, it suggests they feel disturbed.
In some cases, whales may even show aggressive behaviour, but this depends on the context. Actions like tail-throwing or tail-slapping can sometimes be a response to stress. That’s why having a knowledgeable guide on board is so important. Their job is to interpret whale behaviour and ensure responsible whale-watching practices.
6. The importance of having a guide on board
It’s essential to carefully choose a tour, considering whether a guide is on board. Many tours only have a captain who simply navigates the boat without providing any information about what’s happening or the animals you encounter. In some cases, even when explanations are given, they may not be very accurate, and passengers often take them at face value without questioning their reliability.
This is why WiseWhale always recommend choosing a tour with a guide. Not only will you gain knowledge and learn more about the animals, but the experience will also be educational—one of the most valuable aspects of a tour. It’s not just about seeing the animals and returning; it’s about truly understanding them.
Moreover, guides are trained to interpret animal behaviour. Many captains, even though they have navigation experience, are primarily focused on showing you the animals to ensure you’re satisfied, without necessarily considering the animals’ reactions or well-being. While some do follow guidelines, many do not. A guide, however, will know when to stay, when to move on, and when to keep a safe distance, always prioritising the animals’ best interests.
The Need for Responsible Whale Watching
Unfortunately, there are no international regulations governing whale watching—something we strongly believe should exist. Ideally, there would be global guidelines with room for adjustments based on specific cetacean species and regional conditions. But right now, every country has its own approach. Some have strict laws, others rely on voluntary codes of conduct, and many have no regulations at all. Even in places where rules exist, enforcement is often lacking, meaning that once out at sea, operators can do whatever they want.
One of the biggest issues is that most people don’t know how to choose a responsible whale-watching company. Many simply pick the cheapest option without realising they might be contributing to harmful practices. Throughout ours career, we have met many fellow professionals in the industry, and we’ve shared our experiences. We have also spoken to countless passengers who asked us how to choose a responsible operator and what to look for.
That’s how the idea for this website was born. Our goal is to provide clear information about what responsible whale watching looks like—where the welfare of the animals comes first. Sadly, many companies around the world don’t prioritise this, and we want to help people make informed choices that truly respect marine life.
One of the reasons for malpractice is that operators often believe that certain actions—such as getting too close to the animals or speeding up to ensure a “good sighting”—are what the customer wants and expects. In most cases, either the customer doesn’t know what to expect, or they don’t want that at all.
Many people assume that the only way to have a satisfying whale-watching experience is by getting as close as possible to the animals. Because of this, some companies prioritise customer satisfaction over the well-being of the animals, pushing limits just to ensure tourists get the perfect photo. But that’s not what whale-watching should be about.
The true purpose of whale-watching is education—teaching people about the ocean, these animals, their behaviour, and their needs. Respect for the animals should always come first, not the desire to get the closest shot. Unfortunately, in many places, whale-watching is driven by competition rather than conservation, with boats crowding around a single whale just to guarantee sightings.
But here’s the truth: people often have a more fulfilling experience when they participate in ethical whale-watching. Instead of a rushed, chaotic encounter, they get a deeper understanding of the animals and their environment. The challenge is that many tourists don’t know the difference, which is why education is key. Once they understand the impact of responsible whale-watching, they’ll recognise why it matters—and why it leads to a better experience for both people and animals.
We firmly believe that if customers are well-informed in advance and understand what a responsible sighting should look like in respect of the animals, providing a quality service would be much easier. The operator has the responsibility to set the standard for whale watching, and as a result, the customer will adapt to that standard.
