Whale watching vacations
Tours & vacations in 2018 & 2019

A memorable experience....The wildlife in general (eagles, otters and more!), but in particular the boat trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles. Being able to get so close to puffins, razorbills and shags on Lunga was an incredible experience. (more)Michael Hall

We saw lots of wildlife but I think my most memorable moment was being surrounded by nesting puffins on Lunga Island. We had a wonderful time. Scotland is a marvellous country that I can’t recommend highly enough. (more)Patricia Smith

We all loved the sheer breathtaking beauty of the island. The tour was fantastic; Jaquie was a brilliant, friendly and knowledgeable guide. Our tour was amazing because the dolphins and porpoises decided to put on a dazzling show! (more)Helen Arbon

We saw places we never would have thought of on our own and everywhere we stayed was either a great hotel or in a beautiful setting or, most often, both. (more)Jane Colman

The most memorable was snorkelling in Silfra and exploring Reynisfjara Beach. We got really lucky and had 100% sunshine and 0 precipitation the entire 45 days we were there. (more)Charles Ross

It didn't get off to a great start but overall it would have to have been one of the best vacations my wife and I spent together. It was a trip of a lifetime and we will cherish the memories forever. (more)Scot Skellham

Memorable parts? We especially loved the second day of our tour, when we climbed the Sigiriya rock fortress in the morning, had a traditional lunch in a village near Habarana and interacted with the villagers in the afternoon, then saw elephants in Minneriya National Park in the evening. It was a perfect combination of everything that Sri Lanka has to offer. We also really enjoyed the campfire dinner at Big Game Camp in Udawalawe National Park. Tips? Check with the tour company what... (more)Roxana Feier

Best bit: Our drive from Harstad airport to Andenes. The scenery was stunning, the traffic negligible and we spotted a moose, a dolphin and a pair of white-tailed eagles. (more)Susan Churcher

Seeing the Northern Lights - we were lucky to see them as both the night before and after the skies had been too cloudy, it was a very surreal experience - they were so ethereal and beautiful. (more)Amandeep Manget

Memorable parts? The boat trips out to see the whales. There were so many different types including dolphins. We actually saw 16 blue whales in one day. Tips? You are out at sea for 7 hours so make sure you take some sea sickness medication with you just in case. If you don't know that you suffer from sea sickness (like me) then take some anyway as seven hours is a long time to be feeling ill. Also I would recommend that on the free days to book one or both (tour of Pico) of the island... (more)Anne Arietti

An incredible experience - a wonderful opportunity to swim with such amazing animals. (more)Sue Thomas

An amazing, life transforming experience (more)Nicola Dinnage

Memorable parts? There were so many highlights. The knowledgeable guides, the fantastic staff on the boat, the food, the scenery and the wildlife. Tips? Bring clothes for hot sunshine, wet weather and the cold. Lots of layers. Local benefits? The education talks definitely raised awareness of conservation issue. Overall rating? Absolutely fantastic (more)Richard Smith

Memorable parts? Seeing leopards drinking at the waterside and sloth bears at Wilpattu National Park. Tips? We went on a wildlife tour of Sri Lanka and suggest you give yourselves a few rest days between safaris to recuperate as well as giving you more time to enjoy the resorts where you are staying. Local benefits? Safari guides and drivers were employed from the local community as were hotel staff. The hotels where we stayed were environmentally aware. The National Parks... (more)Kim Plumb

Im not normally inclined to book group vacations because I’m not really the sociable kind although in fulfilling my wife’s long held dream to go Whale Watching I had little choice given how everything is structured. After some research I decided the Azores was the place to go therefore I booked one weeks vacation through Amanda finally settling on Pico Island as the destination. Whale researcher Rui is the man on the ground working full time gathering data about the Azorean whales in order to collaborate... (more)Richard Christie

Memorable parts? Difficult to decide. Seeing so many whales and dolphins, the insight that the leader (Lisa) imparted in describing their behaviour, the beauty of Faial island. Tips? Stay relaxed and enjoy the experience and learn from the tour leader. Local benefits? Yes, right from the extensive briefing information received before the tour to seeing some of the oceanic problems at first hand. This then gets imparted to the local community encouraging them to act responsibly. Overall... (more)Roger Hull

Seeing and swimming with dolphins and whale watching was amazing. There are lots of them out there! Also really enjoyed the kayak and crater lake activity day. (more)Helen Allen

Swimming with dolphins. On our trip we spotted a large pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins (our guide estimated 500) and we slipped into the water and swam with them. They were everywhere and you could hear their clicking a high pitched whistling as well as almost being able to touch them they were so close. (more)Roy White

Canyoning - really thrilling! Great! (more)Ilona Kish

The whole experience was wonderful. Sotiris, our skipper was fantastic , very professional, kind and fun. This vacation was wonderful...it could not have been better...we should have stayed longer. It really was a very unique experience, very special to me. (more)Joanne David

Excellent! Every aspect was amazing. My partner and I are both deeply grateful to everyone who works for the operator for making such a special and memorable experience. We will almost certainly be booking up again! (more)Alison Crawford

A fabulous vacation. Sotiri and Melita were delightful and knowledgeable hosts. Annie who did the reservations was efficient and friendly. The boat was well equipped, safe and comfortable and the fellow guests good company. (more)Susan Sargeant

Seeing dolphins for the first time....Living conditions are certainly not luxurious, but if willing to rough it a little and help out, it is a greatly enjoyable vacation (more)Caroline Corkery

Saw species of Whales that I had not seen before! (more)Ian Hunt

It was definitely one of my best two trips ever. Loved the people in the group, the activities, the animals and the overall experience. I would definitely recommend it. (more)Tania Fernandez

The highlight was the blue whales. A superb experience, and we would have changed hardly anything once we were there, although we had big problems with the flights both ways. (more)Wendy Cadman

Actually getting to see the whales as described - Blue, Fin, Sperm and Sei, as well as 3 different types of dolphins. Lisa is so experienced and enthusiastic, and the skipper of the boat was very skilled too. (more)Swee-Im Ung

Informative, even as to the exact moment to click the camera shutter, skilled in being in the right place at the right time, positioning the boat for everyone's advantage, including the whale's, knowing the whales' routines, and even helping organise the non-water days. (more)Jean Tuck

The anticipation and then the excitement of actually seeing the sperm and pilot whales that honoured us with their presence! (more)Vivian Munn

It fully lived up to our expectations.....Seeing a group of four sperm whales resting together on the surface just in front of the boat (more)Siobhan Chapman

We were on the cat and a huge gasp went up from everyone on board; a fin whale had swum in front of the boat and opened its mouth out of the water to feed. It was only a split second but that sight is engraved on my memory. My partner didn't see it, he was looking the other way at the time. (more)Margaret Merris

Memorable parts? Whale watching and Grizzly bears (every aspect of the nature in Canada wild life & scenery) Tips? Get good camera, binoculars and plenty of money for food Canada is more expensive than UK- go to Gov site ONLY to get ETA. Local benefits? Yes and no Overall rating? 7 out of 10. (more)Deborah Miles

Relaxing, get away from it all, experience immersing yourself in the Isle of Mull and its landscape and wildlife. (more)Marion Cowan

The sea and land safaris and the Tobermory hotel were all memorable for different reasons, but the one that ran through all of them was the excellent level of customer service. A genuine ten out of ten. (more)Jonathan Huggett

The most memorable was seeing a sea eagle for the first time. Also the train journey from Glasgow to Oban. (more)Louisa Radice

Memorable parts? Seeing the whales at close quarters, particularly a mother and calf on our firs day at sea. Tips? If there is any possibility you might be seasick take medication before you go out to sea. On all three days I went out at least one person was sick and so was unable to enjoy the whale watching. Local benefits? Yes. The whale watching trips were very respectful of the wildlife, and were also used to record information about the local whale population. We were... (more)Margaret Woskett

Memorable parts? We did not do a 12 day highlights vacation. Instead we contacted the vacation provider direct and with them planned a 19 day trip. See below for views on this process. As far as memorable experiences, the list is endless. Perito Moreno glacier was amazing to see and hear - it really is blue in parts, and it was well worth paying extra to do the mini-trek. A great experience. So was horse-riding with a gaucho. Hiring a car and doing a 4 night circular tour from Salta was great.... (more)Ro Lynam

The highlight was seeing whales, dolphins, turtles at sea together with the beautiful scenery. (more)Mark Davey

The highlight was seeing a blue whale from our catamaran! (more)Kathryn Dodd

I enjoyed it very much. It was all very interesting and I learned a lot. The food was exceptionally good. The people we met were all charming. The amount of whale watching and other activities was just right. (more)Jo Fallon

Memorable parts? The thrill of such a variety of remarkable landscapes. It was like being on another planet and truly wonderful. Tips? Make sure you know exactly what is paid for. e.g. just because the trips are on the itinerary don't assume they are included. Also I was told of various ways I could get from the airport to the ship and I booked and paid for a return bus but at the last minute was told Pro-Ocean had arranged for pick-up at the airport. A little lack of organisation.... (more)Jeanette Morrison

Fantastic. Hapai Beach Resort was peaceful, calm and really nicely run. The staff were superb, friendly and very helpful. The food was good too. (more)Shaheen Dixon

Swimming with humpback whales was the most memorable. (more)William Bainbridge

The highlight was swimming with whales. (more)Jacqueline Smolders

Memorable parts? Snorkelling with Humpback Whales Tips? Tonga is a backpacking destination. Be aware that taxi drivers may over charge if you don't check the fare with them first! Bring insect repellent and bite cream for when it doesn't work! Local benefits? Yes, we stayed at an eco-tourist resort and spent money in local shops when possible. Overall rating? Very good. (more)Ben McLennan

Not a good trip but good birds. (more)Martyn Todd

finally seeing a Leopard in the wild, it was not without its stress as there were too many jeeps trying to populate a very small space but eventually we were lucky and had wonderful views as an adult female came down to drink at a waterhole. (more)Chris Rose

the most memorable part was seeing what I went to see - leopards and whales! (more)Susan Fox