| A close-up and personal view of a Humpback Whale | | | | They can be seen from most of the islands in Hawaii - |
| in full breach will take your breath away! | | | | both from the shore and from the numerous boat trips |
| The sheer majesty of a 52 foot, 50 ton creature | | | | available. |
| leaping clear out of the ocean is something that simply | | | | Great tip! Join the Hawaii Humpback Whale volunteer |
| cannot be described in words. | | | | program. |
| But I can tell you how it makes you feel. | | | | Every year in Hawaii, volunteers gather to count the |
| Goose-bumps rise all over your body, your heart | | | | humpback whales for a scientific project to help |
| pounds with the excitement, your eyes widen in awe | | | | preserve this endangered species. Anyone can |
| and amazement, you feel humble and small - yet | | | | volunteer, the atmosphere is friendly and great fun, and |
| privileged that, like this whale, you are a part of | | | | there is a real buzz in the air as the count gets |
| something remarkable and important. You are a living | | | | underway. Volunteers get to see the whales - they |
| creature on this wonderful planet - and being alive is a | | | | provide a vital service, and they have a fabulous time |
| joy! | | | | too! |
| You will return to your home and your job and your | | | | Iceland. |
| everyday life, inspired and renewed by what you have | | | | Iceland is the fastest growing whale-watching location |
| seen. And the memory of it will stay with you forever. | | | | in the world. It is a stunning and logical place to watch |
| The humpback whale is a magnificent and fascinating | | | | some of the best Humpback Whale antics on the |
| creature. | | | | planet - But I personally recommend you Don't go |
| It uses complex, cooperative feeding techniques. | | | | there! Why? Because Iceland has just renewed its |
| It sings the most amazing, beautiful and haunting songs. | | | | policy of killing whales for profit. I cannot recommend a |
| And it is one of the great acrobatic entertainers of the | | | | location where such a policy exists. I have started a |
| ocean, often leaping (breaching) clear out of the water. | | | | petition on my website, objecting to Iceland's official |
| I know that Dolphins leap clear of the water too - but | | | | whaling policy. I would love to visit Iceland - But not until |
| dolphins are not 52 feel long, and they don't weigh 50 | | | | the Killing Ends! |
| tons! | | | | Ireland. |
| The sight and sound of a humpback in full breach is | | | | The West Cork area of Ireland is gaining popularity as |
| incredible! Everybody should see it at least once in their | | | | a place for spotting Humpback and Minke whales. |
| lifetime. | | | | Humpbacks are not as common here as in some of |
| And these days its not difficult to arrange. | | | | the other destinations on this list - but if you happen to |
| Humpbacks are creatures of habit - they are fairly | | | | be in Ireland at the right time, take a boat trip in West |
| easy to find. You can see them in several places | | | | Cork - there's a good chance of seeing some action! |
| around the world -and at all times of the year. | | | | Maine. |
| The best places I know of are listed below. If you | | | | The coast of Maine sees its share of Humpbacks |
| know any other great spots - send me an email! | | | | from May through October. |
| Alaska. | | | | The Bar Harbour area has some good vantage points |
| Huge numbers of Humpbacks live in Alaska. The | | | | onshore, and some very well organised boat trips to |
| majority of them migrate south for part of the year - | | | | get you close to the action. |
| to Hawaii, California, Mexico etc. But a substantial | | | | Massachusetts. |
| minority stay in Alaska all year round. Alaska has | | | | The World Wildlife Foundation reckons Gloucester MA |
| several fabulous humpback watching cruises on offer. | | | | is one of the top five places in the world for whale |
| Australia. | | | | watching. |
| Each year from late July through to early November, | | | | Gloucester is on the southern shore of the rocky |
| humpback whales arrive in Hervey Bay - 300km north | | | | Cape Ann Peninsula - which is close to two important |
| of Brisbane. There is no better place to enjoy their | | | | summer feeding areas for the whales. No other New |
| acrobatic antics than from a whale-watching cruise in | | | | England port has closer access to so many humpback |
| these warm, clear, protected waters. | | | | whales. |
| California. | | | | Whale watching is popular now all over the world - but |
| From late April to early December, large numbers of | | | | in Gloucester Massachusetts it has been popular for |
| Humpbacks spend the summer feeding off the coast | | | | decades. Knowledgeable local skippers will take you to |
| of California. They can be seen from the shore, from | | | | the action. |
| the highway, from lodges and hotels around Monterey | | | | South Africa. |
| Bay. This generation of whales has never been hunted | | | | I have no personal experience of whale-watching in |
| by man here (since whaling ended in these waters) so | | | | South Africa - but I hear it's superb! If you have been |
| they have no fear of us. Some of them are very | | | | there and would like to tell me more about it - please |
| curious about boats, and will spend hours mooching | | | | send me an email. |
| around and even gently brushing against boats in the | | | | Tonga. |
| area. This provides amazing opportunities for people to | | | | In Tonga you can actually swim alongside the |
| get very close indeed to these majestic mammals. | | | | Humpbacks! |
| Best idea - book a boat trip with a knowledgeable local | | | | Visit this wonderful Island Kingdom December through |
| whale-watching skipper. And take plenty of film for | | | | February for the swim of your life! |
| your camera! | | | | Forget about all of these Sea-World aquarium places |
| Hawaii. | | | | with preforming killer whales! A killer whale splashing |
| Around 4,000 to 5,000 humpback whales - two-thirds | | | | around in a swimming pool bears no comparison to the |
| of the North Pacific population spend the winter in | | | | sight of a humpback leaping from the open ocean! |
| Hawaii. They migrate from Alaska, a 3,000 mile swim! | | | | |