Whale watching destinations in Colombia

One of the best seasons for tourism in the Colombian Pacific is approaching, it is the sighting of humpback whales and yubartas , one of the most amazing spectacles that anyone can contemplate in its life. It is a gift of life and nature to see these gigantic and impressive mammals rise above the waves and expel water from their orifices in greeting and gratitude as if they were aware that this group of people are only there to see them.

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Next we will tell you everything to know about whale watching in Colombia.

What is the best season for whale watching in Colombia?

The whale watching season in the Colombian Pacific this 2019 is from the month of June to the month of November, as every year. The humpback whales and yubartas travel every year during the same season looking for the warm waters of the Colombian Pacific to mate, give birth to their young and rest, as in this trip they travel more than 8,500 kilometers .

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However, the best months to do whale watching in Colombia are July, August and September, while June, October and November decrease the chances of seeing whales in the Colombian Pacific.

Where to do whale watching in Colombia?

Nuquí and Bahía Solano - Choco

The beautiful beaches of Nuquí and Bahía Solano are two spectacular places in the Pacific of Colombia. Nuquí is especially one of the most biodiverse places in the world, and with Bahia Solano are two destinations that still remain unknown to most tourists, so you can enjoy a very responsible and committed ecological tourism. Among the many activities you can do here is diving, snorkeling, hiking, visiting the thermal baths, bird watching, knowing the Cascada del Amor and of course the whale watching.

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Nuquí is one of the best places to do whale watching in Colombia , because it is possible to get close to an approximate distance of 200 meters and thus be able to see up close the majestic show of mating and birth of the calves, and of course, take fantastic photos .

Gorgona Island - Cauca

The Natural Gorgona National Park , located in the department of Cauca , is an excellent destination for nature lovers. This small island has a great natural biodiversity of fauna and flora, since it is the home of eleven types of whales and dolphins, twelve kinds of reefs, hundreds of species of migratory birds, reptiles and two types of forests, which increase the diversity of the species that are there or arrive in transit. In Gorgona Island , it was also one of the most feared maximum security prisons in the country, however, it was closed many decades ago and today the ruins are simply covered with moss and vines. Thanks to its exuberance and diversity, in Gorgona you can do autonomous diving, snorkeling, hiking and whale watching in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

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Bahía Málaga - Valle del Cauca

The Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park in Valle del Cauca is another of the best destinations for whale watching in Colombia , and to contemplate marine life, since this park has more or less 1,400 species of continental and marine fauna and flora, distributed among crustaceans, marine algae, mollusks, reptiles, mammals and birds. In addition to seeing whales in Bahía Málaga , you can go hiking, speleology, bird watching both migratory and endemic, kayak, dive and explore the spectacular jungle of this natural park.

Tumaco - Nariño

Tumaco is a destination that is gradually opening up to ecotourism, while is was one of the areas most affected by the armed conflict, but thanks to the peace treaty signature, this jewel has begun to shine attracting more and more travelers, who go to explore the beauty of this unique natural landscape that consists of dark sand beaches, mangroves, nature reserves, caves and many hiking trails and admire the sighting of humpback whales that come every year to these waters to rest.

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Tips for whale watching in Colombia

• You have more chance to observe whales in the early hours of the day or at the end of the day, because they prefer to leave when the sea is calm and the sun is less intense.

• Try to take everything you need to see the whales like binoculars, camera with good telephoto lens, charged cell phone and extra battery or portable charger, hat, sunscreen, fresh clothes, non-slip tennis and with good grip, and a lot of patience, which at the end is the most important You will need it while the whales decide to let themselves be seen.

• If you are going to hire a whale watching tour in the Colombian Pacific , keep in mind that it is an agency or tour operator that propagates the principles of responsible tourism.

• If you are going to whale watching in some of these places try to be quiet and do not do activities or behaviors that cause any damage to the ecosystem or interfere with the activities of the whales. This is an activity of contemplation and respect.

• Finally attend the safety tips that your guide or agency will provide you to enjoy this natural event and feel privileged to have the opportunity to see whales having the unique landscapes of the Colombian Pacific in the background.

If you want to discover more destinations and spectacular plans for tourism in Colombia , enter here .