Whale Watching by Kayak

Sitting in a kayak while whales pass close by is one of the most remarkable experiences possible. No words can describe the awe and elation that a close encounter inspires. The intimacy possible from the sea-level vantage point of our self-propelled craft is unmatched.

While we are able to encounter whales in our waters nearly every day, we keep in mind that, despite their great size, whales can be easily disturbed by people in boats. This can be obvious when we see motorized boats that approach whales too quickly and too closely. Motors also produce a great deal of underwater sound that can decrease the whales' ability to communicate.

Boats like kayaks, with their small size and slow, quiet movement, are often thought of as "no trace" vessels. In real life, though, they can have an effect on marine mammals, even those as large and mobile as whales, leaving a trace that's not obvious but nevertheless occurs. Our guiding principle is to behave in a way that does not cause the whales to alter their behavior because of our presence.

While whales appreciate the lack of noise and the slow pace of human-powered boats, they still have a comfort range. That range is much less with boats like kayaks and canoes; still, we practice caution with our behavior around whales so as not to have a chance of disturbing them.

Recognizing the whales' behavior
Whales either travel (consistent direction moving 5-7 miles per hour), forage for food or play (random-appearing direction and varying speed), or rest (consistent direction, in a close group, moving about 2 mph).

What we do
Traveling whales simply pass by kayakers at a pace faster than kayakers can paddle. Stay in one place and let the whales choose how close to come; they won't run into you. The same goes for playing and foraging whales. If you're paddling the same direction as their movement, paddling in the same, consistent direction at the same speed as they pass you will allow them to be comfortable with your movement.

The tricky situation is with resting whales. Kayakers can keep up with resting whales at the slow speed they move in this mode. But this is precisely the time when we're most cautious not to disturb their rest. So we stay at least 100 metres away and, if we're going the same direction, paddle parallel to the group. But be aware that the whales are not angling toward you in their forward progress. If they are, angle away to maintain the distance or stop paddling. Be careful not to cross directly in front of them or behind them.

Watching whales by kayak is, in our experience, the best way to see these impressive animals. While the urge to try to paddle after them or to approach as closely as possibly for a hopeful photo is likely to be there, we hope everyone will remember that the whales need space and peace.

back to top