Wildlife guide
The perfect introduction to getting your head around the extraordinary life on earth, and where to go to find it.
Where to swim with whales & wild dolphins
While whales and dolphins roam all of the world’s oceans, only a handful of destinations are suitable for jumping in the sea with them – and even fewer can ensure this is done responsibly, with well trained skippers and enforced regulations. When choosing a destination, take into consideration how much traveling you’re prepared to do, how much time you want to spend on the water when you’re there, and whether or not you’re keen to try out other activities – from trekking and land-based wildlife watching, to beach-lazing and cultural encounters.
Dominican Republic
1. Dominican Republic
How do you find a whale? Stick a ‘hydrophone’ – a kind of whale telephone – in the water and listen. At the Silver Bank Sanctuary for Marine Mammals, a limestone plateau in the sea 100km north of the Dominican Republic, thousands of North Atlantic humpback whales gather in early spring and their whale song can be deafening. You can be there too, listening out, and then getting in the water…
Norway
2. Norway
Between fjords, following the herring migration, whales in Norway are a sight to behold with pods of up to 80 orcas congregating around coastlines close to Tromso to offer liveaboard boat passengers the chance to swim and snorkel - in dry suits - during the magical month of November. Combined with comfy conditions, USEA certified guides and, perhaps, the Aurora Borealis, Norway’s come a long way from its whaling past.
Red Sea
3. Red Sea
(Best: Mar-Nov) A horseshoe-shaped coral reef marks the spot where a pod of spinner dolphins spend their days recuperating after a long night feeding. The reef is “zoned” to ensure boats don’t disturb them – and only the curious will come out to inspect the boats. You can snorkel with dolphins, sea turtles and a huge variety of reef-dwelling creatures here, in safe, shallow bays – unusual night boat expeditions are also available.
Tahiti
4. Tahiti
The pilgrimage to Tahiti for expectant humpback whales takes place from Aug to Oct with the island of Moorea, 15kms from Tahiti, providing a breathtaking location from where to swim safely with whales and newborn calves in what will be an incredibly humbling experience. Set sail into the sheltered waters of the South Pacific onboard a catamaran and swim with whales surrounded by French Polynesian islands.
Tonga
5. Tonga
(Late Jul - early Oct) The Antarctic winter sees humpback whales migrating thousands of miles to the balmy Tongan waters where they give birth. This is one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with these 40-ton giants in crystal clear seas - and their newborns. Onboard hydrophones let the skippers locate singing whales – if you’re bobbing above them, your whole body will softly vibrate.
Annah Evington, tour leader at our partner WhaleSwim Adventures, discusses her favorite destinations for swimming with whales:
"A few years back I would have said emphatically Tonga, I love the tropics. But Norway is really special – orcas are the most intelligent beings, I’m in awe of their communities, their family structure – their pods have a matriarchal society, grandma is in charge. You can feel the wisdom. And the fjords are stunningly beautiful and remote. So it’s very difficult to choose.
Tahiti is glorious too. It’s different from Tonga where you do day-long expeditions. In Tahiti you can see the whales from shore so it’s just a quick trip out to them. And they do half-day tours so you can do another activity on the same day. There’s lovely snorkelling and diving there, and it’s so gorgeous."
Tahiti is glorious too. It’s different from Tonga where you do day-long expeditions. In Tahiti you can see the whales from shore so it’s just a quick trip out to them. And they do half-day tours so you can do another activity on the same day. There’s lovely snorkelling and diving there, and it’s so gorgeous."
Watch and swim with humpback whales in the Caribbean
Discover Silver Banks- a sanctuary for marine mammals
From
£3440 to £3630
8 days
ex flights
Canada polar bear and beluga whale tour
Swim with Beluga Whales and spot Polar Bears in the Arctic
From
£4535 to £4995
9 days
ex flights
Baja wildlife vacation in Mexico
Swim with Orcas & Mobula Rays in Baja
From
US $5900
8 days
ex flights
Norway orca swimming and Northern Lights vacation
Orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, Northern lights & more
From
US $10790
9 days
ex flights
Swimming with whales vacation in Norway
Orca & humpback snorkelling & Northern Lights near Tromso
From
NKr 52500
7 days
ex flights
Swim with whales in Tonga
Swim with humpback whales around Tonga's beautiful islands
From
AU $8800
8 days
ex flights
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Family swimming with dolphins trips
Taking your kids to swim with whales or dolphins may make you a contender for "parent of the year" - but age restrictions do apply.![]()
The Red Sea is a great choice for young families. With warm, calm waters and most dolphin swimming trips take place in a safe, sheltered reef. Child-friendly resorts sit beside shallow beaches, and children will love snorkelling with the colourful reef fish. Traveling in family groups means that the children make friends – and parents get a little time to themselves. Whale swimming vacations in Tonga are recommended for over 18s only. However, there are some day trips which accept younger children – though these are not orientated specifically towards families, and parents will be fully responsible for their kids.
Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful swimming with whales and dolphins travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful swimming with whales and dolphins travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Definitely take an underwater camera as the photos and footage you can get are amazing ![]()
- Claire Bartlett (Tonga)
"Take sea sickness tablets if you are inclined to nausea on boats as it can get quite choppy." - Rosie Sutcliffe
"Don't leave it until the last week of the season. It was cold! Also be aware these are wild animals, you wouldn't expect to stroke a lion on safari so why expect to be up-close to dolphins." - Carol Sissons
"The weather… is so changeable. Wet suits and layers, sun cream, hats. You might need them. One other thing that I also read on a review was to bring quick drying towels which was good advice." - Amanda Kirby
"Get out every single time you can, you can't see / interact with wild dolphins + whales + fish + turtles + shearwaters (sea-diving birds) in Oxford Street." - James Bromley
"Don't leave it until the last week of the season. It was cold! Also be aware these are wild animals, you wouldn't expect to stroke a lion on safari so why expect to be up-close to dolphins." - Carol Sissons
"The weather… is so changeable. Wet suits and layers, sun cream, hats. You might need them. One other thing that I also read on a review was to bring quick drying towels which was good advice." - Amanda Kirby
"Get out every single time you can, you can't see / interact with wild dolphins + whales + fish + turtles + shearwaters (sea-diving birds) in Oxford Street." - James Bromley
If you are quiet and calm and just wait they will swim to you and you can pretend just for a short time that you are part of their underwater world.![]()
- Emma Ghafur
More Swimming with whales & wild dolphins articles
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Done right, swimming with killer whales in Norway is ethical - we explain all in our guide.
Is it okay to swim with dolphins in the wild? We discuss the issues, and the need-to-know.
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