Whale watching offers a unique opportunity to see cetaceans in their natural environment from land, air or sea. However, it has the potential to disturb their behaviour or cause them injury. Responsible operations will minimise potential impacts and offer you a quality experience with a strong educational element. They may also provide social and economic benefits to the local community. This section provides you with some tools to help select a responsible whale watching experience and learn more about the animals you will be watching.
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Preparing for a Trip
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Antarctica
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Guidelines
Argentina
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Australia
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Brazil
Species of Interest
Case Studies
Chile
Species of Interest
Colombia
Species of Interest
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
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Case Studies
Egypt
Species of Interest
Case Studies
France (Mainland and Overseas)
Species of Interest
Guidelines
- ACCOBAMS_MOP4_Res.4.7- Guidelines for commercial cetacean watching in the ACCOBAMS Area
- ACCOBAMS_MOP6_Res6.20- Commercial cetacean watching in the ACCOBAMS area
- France-Regulation for marine mammal watching in Mayotte (French)
- France-tour operators charter for marine mammal watching in Mayotte (French)
- Pelagos Sanctuary- Code of Conduct for whale watching (English)
- Reunion charter for responsible viewing of marine mammals and turtles (French)
- ACCOBAMS High Quality Whale Watching Guidelines - brochure format
- France - National Decree of July 2011 identifying protected marine mammals and prohibiting the pursuit and the harassment of these animals
- France - Decree n° R-2017-03-15-003 regulating cetaceans approaches in waters under French jurisdiction in the West Indies
- France - Charter for the responsible practice of marine mammal watching for commercial activities in the Agoa Sanctuary
- France - 2021 The Approach and Observation of Cetaceans in La Reunion
Gabon
India
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Case Studies
Ireland
Italy
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Kenya
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Case Studies
Guidelines
Mexico
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New Zealand
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Case Studies
Norway
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Panama
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Case Studies
Peru
Portugal
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Case Studies
Guidelines
- Portugal_2018 Summary of whale and dolphin watching guidelines for areas under Portuguese Jurisdiction (English)
- Portugal_ Azores_Guidelines 2005_Portaria N 52004_Portuguese
- Portugal_Cetacean Observation Law Decreto-Lei n.o 92006 (Portuguese)
- Portugal_Azores Rules and Codes of Conduct for Whale and Dolphin Watching
- Ocean Azores Foundation Whale Watching Tips and Guidelines
Spain
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Case Studies
Sultanate of Oman
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Sri Lanka
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Slovenia
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South Africa
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Tonga
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Case Studies
United Kingdom
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Case Studies
United States of America
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Case Studies
Canada
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Case Studies
Denmark (Greenland)
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Denmark (Greenland)
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Ecuador
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Dominica
Maldives
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Data not available
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Antarctic: Whale Watching
Platforms of opportunity in new frontiersArgentina: Península Valdés, Chubut
A multi-stakeholder, multi-faceted, adaptive approach to regulation of whale-watchingAustralia: Port Phillip Bay
Adaptive management aimed at increasing compliancePortugal: The Azores
Whalers turn their skills to whale watchingSpain: The Canary Islands
Sustainability Charter in TenerifeUnited States and Canada: The Whale Trail
Promoting and facilitating land-based whale watching on the Pacific CoastThe Netherlands: Studio Bruinvis
Land-based dolphin watching with a technical twistMexico- Loreto Bay
A passive observation method for sustainable blue whale watchingIndia: Chilika Lagoon
Conserving marine biodiversity through people’s participationUnited States of America - Gulf of Maine
Whale watching contributes to long-term monitoring of whalesEgypt- Samadai Reef
Time area closures and zoning to protect resting spinner dolphinsAustralia- Great Barrier Reef
Swimming with little giantsNew Zealand: Kaikoura
Adaptive management of an industry in harmony with traditional valuesBrazil: Praia do Forte
Assessing the carrying capacity for whale watching in a Protected AreaDominican Republic: Samaná Bay
The strengths and challenges of co-management of whale watchingKenya: Watamu
Whale and dolphin watching as an alternative to fishing and a means of reducing marine mammal bycatchUnited Kingdom: Scotland
Understanding the socio-economic impacts of whale watchingTonga
Swimming with humpback whalesPanama: Bocas del Toro
Can Tourists and community members turn the tide for dolphins?Canada: Mingan Island Cetacean Study
Research-based tourismMexico: Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
Alternative livelihoods and increased income for fishing communitiesEnforcing whale watching regulations
Anecdotes and practical tips from enforcement officers at opposite ends of the worldThe ACCOBAMS High Quality Whale Watching® Certificate
A multi-stakeholder certification scheme developed for sustainable whale watching in the Mediterranean Sea -
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Denmark (Greenland)
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- France (Mainland and Overseas)
- Gabon
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Maldives
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sultanate of Oman
- Tonga
- United Kingdom
- United States of America