How popular is whale watching?

Over 13 million people across over 100 countries go whale watching every year, feeding a multi-billion dollar industry. AWI supports responsible watching of cetaceans in the wild as opposed to patronizing captive facilities.



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Whale watching tourism is rapidly growing around the world, estimated to generate over 2 billion US dollars and provide employment for over 13,000 people in 20092,3.

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So whale watchers off the coast of Long Beach got a special treat when they saw five of them on one tour. According to Harbor Breeze Cruises, only one percent of the human population has ever seen these majestic creatures up close.

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While whale watching is most commonly used as a form of recreation, it also serves as an educational and scientific way to study the species without interfering with their habitat or lives.

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Whale watching is booming. Here's how to do it responsibly. These tours are generally beneficial for whales, but they can also stress them out. Here's how to ensure that your trip does more good than harm.

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Habitat degradation: Whale watching boats can lead to pollution and harm the whales' habitat, harming the ecosystem. Risk of collision: Boats used for whale watching can be dangerous as they may collide with the whales, resulting in severe injury or death of the animals.

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The best destinations in the world for whale watching
  • Baja California Sur, Mexico. ...
  • Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa. ...
  • Hudson Bay, Manitoba, Canada. ...
  • St Lawrence Marine Park, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada. ...
  • St. ...
  • Mirissa, Sri Lanka. ...
  • Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand. ...
  • North Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA.


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Time: Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Usually a whale watching tour takes anywhere between 2.5 to 3 hours in order to navigate the ocean in search of different whale species.

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