Jamier45

I would second the Falklands.

On my free 4 month holiday down there we went down to Berthas beach, surfers beach and watched dolphins in the waves and earlier in the year you can see whales and sometimes even Orca's off sea lion island.

BingBongBoy

You can go Whale watching in San Francisco too… Boat trips out to the Farallon Islands from the Marina area, at the right time of year, will see the Whales migrating up the Pacific coast…

The only problem with doing it from San Francisco is weather. If it is foggy, which it of course is often in the area, then they will not depart.

TPJ

+ 1

This was my first ever whale watching and it was amazing.

We also did whale watching during our cruise trip to Alaska. We did it when the ship stopped in Juneau - but it was quite a miserable experience comparing to Kaikorua.

The good thing: QF is still operating a single frequency to CHC, so you can use Avios for this trip (all other flights were JQ'ed).

And let me one more thing - if you are thinking about visiting NZ, the best way to travel is to rent a compervan and be totally independent. Amazing experience!

littlefish

GRU is also a decent 2f1 staging point (and does F); its then the excitement which is AR, GRU-AEP-USH (or wherever - PMY). The GRU - USH rtn can be quite a decent price.
Anyways, February is a good time for a expedition ship tour from Ushuaia via the Falklands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. Abundant Humpbacks & Minkes close-up around the peninsula, strong chance for Fin Whales during the sea-crossings ... and good chances for 3 or 4 other species.

Meanwhile, over in CPT. Late September thru mid-November finds it warm enough to do Hermanus and some bays just east as part of the Garden Route. Stunning area. At both Boulders Beach near Cape Town and StormsRiver (just past Plett) we've seen whales breaching while sat in our accommodation.

Also saw whales this New Year's day from the Amtrak Coastal Starlight train, not far north of Santa Barbara. Didn't have my binos though.

seat 13a

Dana Point CA. Never fails for whales - and dolphins. Fly in through San Diego to avoid LAX...

BerksFlyer

A good friend of mine has them pass by his back garden from time to time. He lives on the west coast of Norway near Alesund.

His garden slopes down to a fjord and the front of his house sits at the foot of a dramatic cliff with waterfalls!

Steve in Olympia

A pod of orcas were just off my front beach only a few days ago. The male had a dorsal fin at least six feet high. When you are an orca, size matters.

itsmeitisss

I concur with this - have just done it.. Gives you great flexibility. Also great wineries to visit in NZ too...

kirbster73

I'd vote for Alaska, having done Kaikoura twice 18 years apart. Whilst the sperm whales are certainly majestic, you are simply waiting for them to surface, take some breathes and then catch them dive.

We too went to Alaska. As part of the cruise we headed for Juneau where we saw the most amazing Humpbacks. They eat by doing something called "Bubble-netting", one whale swims round and round blowing bubbles out which force the fish to the surface, then he shoots straight up and you end up with something like this photo below.

IMG_4109.jpg by richkirby, on Flickr

We then tacked on a trip from Vancouver to see the Orcas, who were also amazing, although photographing them proved to be far more difficult. We spent about two hours following the pod around Vancouver Harbour.

Lobengula

I have actually never seen a whale but when I was in HNL I went scuba diving and experienced whale song. That was impressive, like this: plenty of other clips on youtube

If you spend a week you can easily get a divers certificate. It's fun and not very expensive.

lorcancoyle

Dominican Republic if South Pacific is too far? I've been fortunate enough to have swum with humpbacks in Niue and Tonga, amazing experience in latter (having a curious calf decide to come really, really close was phenomenal)

Even if you can't swing it this time could be a good follow-up for your OH after having appetite whetted

1010101

Not a BA destination, but a direct Oneworld partner flight from LHR - you are pretty much guaranteed (as much as wild animals can be) to see whales off the Southern tip of Sri Lanka. Blue whales are the main draw but there are many others.

Just be aware the sea can be extremely rough as you have to go right out into the Indian Ocean shipping lanes. When i went 90% of the boat were hanging over the side by the end.

GeeMac

I've had a few experiences, all but one of which covered above.

For orcas & humpbacks, Vanvouver Island was best. Monterey bay is generally reliable all year round. Cape Cod was pretty good. Hermanus great for watching from the shoreline.

However, fly to San Diego and get one of the tours which goes to San Ignacio lagoon. December through March is when the greys come to calf and you can go out in the lagoon and they come up to the side of the boat and you can reach out and touch them. There is not a better whale experience IMO.

Worcester

You don't need to travel, Wales are coming to England during the Rugby World Cup...

charlesrhona

No need to go too far. Killer whales (Orca's) can be seen from the shore at Torry Battery close to the Centre of Aberdeen most days! Also plenty dolphins on view. A cheap day return to Aberdeen- LHR-ABZ-LHR is all you need.