The Wonder Of Whale Watching â€" Top Places To Travel And See These Giants Of The Sea

From Jonah to Ahab, whales have long fascinated human beings for their terrible grace and beauty. Ecotourism has sprung up as a fascinating and ever-growing niche in the travel industry that serves travelers who long to reconnect with the ecological wonders of nature. Whale watching has long been one of the core interests of eco-travelers, and it's no surprise why. Whales, the giants of the sea, are a wonderful and awe-inspiring sight to behold. No matter how far you travel to see these giants, the moment you first see a giant whale leap out from the water in front of you, you will not regret the trouble you went to get here.

If you come from a landlocked area and long to visit the ocean to catch a glimpse of these giants, here are some of the top destinations to go whale watching.

1. San Diego. Where can you go if you don't want to travel too far for your whale watching excursion. Where maybe there are other attractions to check out, and where the weather's almost always beyond pleasant? Although it may not be the most exotic destination on your list, San Diego is a good solid choice for whale watching, especially if you're traveling with the family. If you are more interested in showing the kiddies a glimpse of a whale, the obvious choice is to visit Shamu at Sea World. But if you don't get your fill of these great beasts at the world-renowned theme park, visit the famous San Diego bay to catch another glimpse. The whale watching season is during winter, with peak viewing months during December to early March.

2. Another accessible area to go whale watching without having to leave the country is in Cape Cod. In fact, the Atlantic waters around Cape Cod experience so much activity that the World Wildlife Fund has recently named Massachusetts as one of the world's top whale watching destinations. Peak viewing months on these busy waters are April through October. Expect to see the famous humpback, finback, and minke whales represented here.

3. The Azores. This famous chain of islands owned by Portugal are a prime whale watching destination. The Azores are composed of nine volcanic islands where the water is rich in fishâ€"making it a prime feeding location for whales and other large mammals during the months of June to September. The most active whale watching spots can be found around the islands of Faial, Pico, and Sao Jorge.

4. Dominica. This remote Caribbean island was recently named 'Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean.' Located between Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica experiences its highest whale activity during the months of December to March. Dominica tour guides boast that you have a 90% chance of seeing pigmy, sperm, and killer whales playing and mating during your visit.

5. Hawaii. Winter is prime time for whale watching in Hawaii. In fact, whale watching is such a well known past time here that the state animal is the humpback whale. Blessed with clear waters, Hawaii is one of the best places to get a clear view of these sea giants. The prime whale watching season ranges from November to April. All the islands afford chance sightings, but the best locations to get a good look are on the island of Maui.

6. Orcas Island. Off the coast of Washington state, lovers of marine life flock to this lovely island each spring to get a glimpse of the gray whales and orcas that gather around the 125 miles of coastline. Several cruises of these protected shores are available if you're interested in getting a better look at these killer whales.

7. Kaikoura. Kaikoura is a small town located along the east coast of South Island, New Zealand. Kaikoura boasts one of the best spots for whale watching in the world. It is the best place to view a sperm whale in the world, and they are visible at almost any time of the year. What's more, you can also catch a glimpse of other famous whales throughout the year. During June and July, there's a good chance you'll see humpbacks, and from December to March, expect to see the famous Orcas sloshing these busy waters.