Whale Watching in the USA

The rich waters of the coast of the USA are filled with sea life and whale watching opportunities. Whether you find yourself on the East Coast, West Coast, Alaska or Hawaii, there are so many different whale watching cruises available ranging from several hours to several days.
During the summer, many visitors flock to Seattle, Washington to explore the waters of its coasts which is home to one of the largest Orca populations in the world. Because the whales tend to be so close to shore, many of Seattle's whale watching cruises last only a few hours, but this is ample time to view Orcas in their natural habitat. An added bonus of the trip is the vast array of sea lions, eagles and dolphins that can also be observed. Further south in San Francisco, day excursions are also a popular choice for tourists. San Francisco Bay is home to marine mammals throughout the year. There are dolphins which reside there year-round, while blue whales and humpback whales are often spotted between June and October. In the colder winter months, tourists can expect to catch a glimpse of gray whale pods as they make their way south towards the warmer waters of Mexico.
On the East Coast, New England is the most popular spot for whale watching. Home to humpback, fin, minke, sei and killer whales, most excursions depart from or around Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Visitors can also choose to leave directly from Boston, with most trips lasting under 1 day. New Jersey also offers a limited number of whale watching cruises, as do most of the other New England states.
True nature enthusiasts should not miss the whale viewing opportunities in Oahu, Hawaii. For under $100/night, tourists can board catamarans which cruise the waters off the coast of Hawaii. Visitors will get to see a range of dolphins, turtles, whales and other sea life. Those who are interested can also partake in reef snorkelling with dolphins and sea turtles. The catamarans are luxuriously appointed, offering great meals and excellent viewing platforms.
America's other remote state, Alaska, also has its share of whale watching cruises. The wild and untamed Bering Sea is home to gray whales, Orcas, beluga whales and more. Visitors can either choose from any number of day cruises, or book a longer 3-14 day cruise around Alaska which features whale watching. Because of the area's rough waters, smaller boats embark on a weather-permitting basis.